THERAPY DOG TRAINING PROGRAM

The Especially for Pets' Therapy Dog Training Program highlights two very important aspects of our mission; to help dog owners train their dogs to be well-mannered pets and to help promote the bond between people and their pets.

Our carefully designed Therapy Dog Training Program helps interested dog owners prepare their dogs and themselves for work as a certified therapy dog team. Our Therapy Dog Program has been designed by a team of trainers who have direct and personal experience working in the areas of pet therapy. We have utilized these resources with the ultimate goal of preparing teams for certification and placement with active and successful Therapy Dog Organizations such as Pets & People Foundation.

Our Therapy Dog Program provides comprehensive classes and workshops which focus on the complete preparation of the pet and owner for test certification and placement as a working team.

The Especially for Pets' Therapy Dog Program also offers ongoing support for established therapy dog organizations and their local chapters. Our state-of-the-art dog training facility in Sudbury is available to partner therapy dog organizations as a meeting and training space for their members and certified teams. Our staff of highly experienced, professional dog trainers are available for specialized workshops and training sessions for our partner organizations.

Our Affiliate
Pets & People Foundation, Inc.
A non-profit organization founded in 1985, the Pets & People Foundation offers pet-assisted therapy to residents of nursing homes, assisted living homes, special needs facilities, half-way houses, and some children's facilities as well as attendees at senior daycare centers and patients of various hospitals in Eastern Massachusetts. Their volunteers share their pets in visits from 45 minutes to one hour long at a time mutually agreed upon by the volunteer and the activities director of the site visited.

Covering Eastern Massachusetts from Worcester east to the ocean and from Falmouth north to several facilities in New Hampshire, volunteers usually make visits as individuals rather than visit a facility in groups. The Pets & People Foundation has never charged for visits nor asked volunteers for membership fees. Yet they cover all of their volunteers with a $2,000,000 insurance policy. Each volunteer is asked to be in a five step program before they settle into any site as a regular visitor.

Our Programs
CGC/Therapy Dog Information Seminars
Have you ever wondered if your dog would make a good Therapy Dog? Do you want to find out more about the process, preparatory training, necessary skills and certification? Join Pets & People volunteer and Especially for Pets' trainer, Christine Macdonald for this informational seminar. Bring your dog for an initial consultation and Christine will tell you everything you need to know about the preparation and certification process and volunteering with the Pets & People Foundation. She will also provide direct feedback on your dog's readiness to become a certified Therapy Dog and/or Canine Good Citizen. A one-hour seminar is $20.

One-Hour Introductory Workshops, Multi-Week Classes and Pre-Test Run-Throughs
These workshops focus on the exercises your dog must perform to earn both CGC and Therapy Dog certification. These tests require your dog to demonstrate basic obedience commands, control in every day situations and appropriate social skills while in public. Sample a one-hour workshop or enroll in a multi-week class. Getting ready for testing day? Warm you and your dog up by attending a practice run-through.

• One-Hour Introductory Workshop. The cost is $25.
  
  
• Multi-Week CGC/Therapy Dog Preparatory Classes
  - Six-week class on Saturday, May 18 at 12:30pm in Newton. The cost is $130.
  - Seven-week class on Tuesday, May 21 at Noon in Acton. The cost is $150.
  - Seven-week class on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00pm in Acton. The cost is $150.
  - Seven-week class on Thursday, May 23 at 7:00pm in Sudbury. The cost is $150.
  - Four-week class on Saturday, June 1 at 10:00am in Westborough. The cost is $85.
  - Seven-week class on Wednesday, June 12 at 12:30pm in Sudbury. The cost is $150.

• One-Hour Pre-Test Run Through Workshop. The cost is $25.

Evaluations and Testing
In order to help our clients complete the process, Especially for Pets has teamed up with the Pets and People Foundation. For specific testing guidelines, visit the websites of the AKC and Pets & People Foundation.

To view all of our class offerings, see our Schedule.

We are always adding new classes and workshops to our program. If you don’t see a class listed that you are looking for, please call the store to inquire about upcoming dates or to be put on a wait list.