Standards for Assessment

Purpose

Hope’s Therapy Dogs teams will be thoroughly and regularly assessed. This includes a practical assessment of the team’s skills (often referred to as a team evaluation) as well as knowledge assessments for the handler

1. Handlers are Knowledge Assessed.

Hope’s Therapy Dogs handlers should be assessed on factual and applied knowledge that is related to best practices in handling and safety.

2. Teams Complete a Practical Assessment of Skills and Aptitude.

Each Hope’s Therapy Dogs handler/animal team should be able to demonstrate its ability to interact with Clients. For the Handler:

● Confident and natural interactions with clients, including the ability to appropriately facilitate interactions with the dog.

● Knowledge of dog body language in context, including the ability to identify, understand and respond to the dog’s cues in real-time.

● Handling skills, including the ability to support and calm the dog. For the Therapy Animal

● Core obedience skills that are appropriate to the species. In canines, these include but aren’t limited to sit, down, stay, walk on loose lead, come when called and leave.

● Interest in interacting with strangers in various situations, including but not limited to interactions with individuals or a group, interactions when other animals are present, and awkward interactions.

● Calm behaviour, without escalating to excessive anxiety, fear, or overexcitement.

● Responsiveness to the handler, even amid auditory and visual distractions.

3. Assessment is Recurring.

Knowledge and practical assessments should be conducted at reasonable intervals, with a maximum frequency of once every three years.

4. The Location of the Practical Assessment is Suitable.

The location of the practical assessment should attempt to simulate a setting for future interactions. Care should be taken to avoid settings that the animal is overly familiar with, such as a dog training centre or the handler’s home.

5. The Evaluator Is Qualified.

Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist and Dog Trainer, Ali Colley, conducts all practical assessments for staff members of Hope’s Therapy Dogs. All staff members must attend training related to understanding dog behaviour.

Last reviewed April 2024.

How to contact us If you have any questions about this policy please do not hesitate to contact us.

Email us at: ali@hopestherapydogs.co.uk