Service Dogs -Therapy Dogs Dog Training - Service Dog Training SPECIALIZING in PTSD
BRAVE BUDDY THERAPY DOG GUIDELINES
Award & AKC Titles
· Therapy Dog Novice Title (THDN): Requires a minimum of 10 visits.
· Therapy Dog Title (THD): Requires a minimum of 50 visits.
· Therapy Dog Advanced Title (THDA): Requires a minimum of 100 visits.
· Therapy Dog Excellent Title (THDX): Requires a minimum of 200 visits.
· Distinguished Therapy Dog Title (THDD): Requires a minimum of 400 visits.
· AKC Therapy Dog Supreme (THDS): Requires a minimum of 600 visits.
Please indicate the award for which you are applying.
This form may be duplicated if additional space is needed to document visits.
There is no time limit required to achieve any award or title.
The American Kennel Club Therapy Dog Titles:
· THDN
· THD
· THDA
· THDX
· THDD
· THDS
Requirements:
To obtain an AKC Therapy Dog title, the following criteria must be met:
· Certification/registration by an AKC-recognized therapy dog organization is required.
BRAVE BUDDY SERVICE PUPS Branch: BRAVE BUDDY THERAPY DOG PROGRAM
is an approved organization; membership in good standing is necessary.
· Complete and document the required minimum number of visits: 10, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 600.
· Complete this form to record your visits (duplicates may be made as necessary).
· A verified certificate documenting your current visits will be provided for submission to the AKC. Please note, certificates are not cumulative.
· Dogs must be registered or listed with the AKC; both purebred and mixed-breed dogs are eligible to earn AKC Therapy Dog titles.
To participate, dogs must have one of the following:
· An AKC registration number (for purebred dogs),
· Enrollment in the AKC's PAL (Purebred Alternative Listing) Program for unregistered dogs of recognized breeds,
· Or enrollment in the AKC Canine Partners Program (for mixed breeds).
For further details or to apply for an AKC Therapy Dog title, please visit www.akc.org/akctherapydog or email akctherapydog@akc.org.
The HOPKINS HOUNDS Pack
To be a part of Hopkins Hounds Therapy Dog program, all dogs are required to be a member of BBSP and meet the guidelines.
Dogs must be certified with the
Canine Good Citizen Urban Title
Once certified by BBSP, handlers will be notified to complete the badging process and will be fingerprinted for a background check.
The Handler and their Therapy Dog:
· Agrees to volunteer at minimum of 2 hours at least once a month and will keep an accurate record of hours of work and participate in training programs and meetings relevant to Hopkins Hounds Therapy Dog Program.
· Will meet and greet airport guests so they may easily approach you and your dog by destressing and calming the passengers as well as providing airport information and wayfinding
· Agrees to be reliable and prompt. When unable to fulfill duties, handler will notify BBSP or CLE as early as possible.
· Must be sincere in the offer of service and take commitment seriously
· Will be friendly and courteous and display professional attitude and appearance.
· Will strictly adhere to security regulations and abide by CLE policies
· Will address any comments/suggestions/complaints from airport guest by notifying either the BBSP or CLE coordinator
Annual Membership: $55
Membership renewal processing requires 3-4 weeks.
Please submit renewal forms 1-2 months before the membership expiration date.
HEALTH REQIUREMENTS
· To register your dog, your veterinarian must complete our health certificate. We require your veterinarian’s professional assessment regarding your dog’s suitability for therapy work.
· Upon initial registration and each annual renewal, please provide:
· Verification that your dog has been examined by a veterinarian within the past year, accompanied by a completed health certificate or valid shot record confirming current vaccinations for:
✓ Rabies
✓ Bordetella
✓ DHLPP
· For vaccinations other than rabies, documented titer levels from your veterinarian are acceptable.
· Proof of a recent fecal examination.
· Please maintain up-to-date vaccination records; if your dog receives updated vaccinations during the year, submit the new records promptly.
Dogs are ineligible for visitation if they have experienced any of the following within the previous 24 hours:
· Vomiting and/or diarrhea
· Symptoms indicative of a communicable disease
· Open wounds, post-surgical pain, or other injuries
· Female dogs must not be "in season" while being tested or participating in visitations. Maternity leave is required for female dogs, beginning 30 days prior to delivery and continuing until 60 days post-partum.
· If your dog experiences a significant illness, accident, or disability resulting in disqualification from visitation for more than two weeks:
· Notify our office immediately.
· Following treatment, your veterinarian must re-examine your dog and complete our Health Certificate confirming your dog is healthy, pain-free, and fit to resume therapy duties.
Before each visit, ensure your dog meets the following criteria:
· Clean, well-groomed, and free from parasites
· Nails trimmed and filed to prevent sharp edges
· Teeth, eyes, and ears are clean
· In good overall health
· Has exercised and eliminated waste prior to visitation
Most facilities require dogs to be bathed before each visit. Follow facility rules, but keep your dog's health in mind, as some breeds shouldn't be bathed often. Dogs must always be clean.
Flea and tick treatments use strong chemicals; do not apply them within 48 hours before a therapy visit. Some products, like Frontline, need extra time to absorb fully.
