All dogs are special. Therapy dogs are unique. Successful therapy dogs possess good manners but need to know more than sit, stay, and come. They require additional socialization to work despite constant distractions. They must appear receptive, confident, and steady in settings where most dogs never venture.

Not all dogs can qualify as therapy dogs.Your dog may be great with everyone in your family—even with your relatives and friends—but your dog may not be suitable as a therapy dog.

Above all, your dog must have a good temperament.Your dog must be non-aggressive, controllable, and predictable at all times. Therapy dogs must be at least one year of age. Therapy dogs must be clean, well-groomed, and free of parasites. Therapy dogs must be well trained. And finally, your dog must enjoy visiting. A good therapy dog is happy while working.

Tristan loves his visits
at the nursing home