Emotional support dogs/ Therapy dogs

I interviewed Ms. Barb Nightingale. She works for Therapy Dogs International with her Golden Retriever named Cody. Ms. Nightingale told me about the training process for therapy dogs. It is fifteen tests in a row. The tests are:

• accepting a friendly stranger
• sitting politely for petting, appearance and grooming
• walking loose leash
• walking through a crowd
• sit and down on command
• staying in place
• coming when called
• reacting to another dog
• reactions to distractions
• reaction to medical equipment
• Leave-it
• acclimation to infirmities
• supervised separation
• say hello
• reaction to children

Dogs are also tested on different types of collars and harnesses. Training devices are not allowed during testing or visiting as a therapy dog. Dogs must at least be one year old to be tested.

A handler under eighteen years old must have a parent or guardian present and Greyhounds are not required for testing.

Mrs. Nightingale told me a story about a dog she was training. The dog failed when she walked in because she wet herself. Also, Ms. Nightingale told me about other types of service dogs and dogs that go and help people in natural disasters.