Standards for Therapy Animals

Purpose

Hope’s Therapy Dogs are committed to providing the best care and attention to all dogs who work with us. The standards outlined in this policy serve as the baseline, with the recognition that additional standards may be required for specific client populations, interventions, or facilities.

1. The Animal is an Appropriate Species.

Hope's Therapy Dogs specifically work with dogs. Evaluation protocols for animals that participate in AAI must be informed by available ethology, including documentation of stress signals. Additionally, there should be awareness of species-specific zoonotic concerns to assess whether the potential risk outweighs any benefits to clients.

2. The Animal is Controllable.

The dog should exhibit reliable and appropriate obedience skills, responding to humane and force-free voice or hand signals. This demonstrates that the Hope’s Therapy Dog handler maintains constant control over the dog.

3. The Animal is Appropriate for the Task.

Therapy animals should:

● Possess an affiliative nature, as evidenced by their willingness to engage in interactions with, accept attention from, and socialise with diverse individuals, both in individual and group settings.

● Be well-socialised, displaying behaviour that isn’t aggressive, assertive, or overly submissive when it’s in a neutral setting. Animals that have a history of aggression that includes injuries to people or other domesticated pets should be precluded from participation. Additionally, a history of protection work or bite work might be considered a disqualifier.

● Enjoy a variety of interactions, such as petting or brushing, even if they’re done somewhat awkwardly or clumsily.

● Demonstrate adaptability in changing environments, including acceptable responses to unusual and sudden movements and sounds. Together, these characteristics are sometimes referred to as having a suitable temperament.

4. There’s a Connection Between the Handler and the Animal.

Dogs that participate in AAI should have complete trust in their handler, ensuring that they will not only look to the handler for direction but also respond to cues in novel situations. For this reason, the Hope’s Therapy Dog handler/animal team should have lived together for at least 6 months before participating in AAI.

5. The Animal is Thoroughly Groomed.

Therapy dogs should be regularly groomed, including bathing before interactions with clients. Animals should have clean coats that are free of mats or tangles. Nails should be clipped to a safe length and should be smooth. Eyes and ears should be clean of normal drainage and should be odour-free.

6. The Animal is House-Trained.

Therapy dogs should be reliably house-trained to limit the potential for accidents. Wearing a waste collection device isn’t appropriate, for infection prevention and control reasons.

7. The Animal is Mature.

Therapy dogs should be fully physically and emotionally developed before engaging in AAI. Generally, dogs should be at least one year old, and in some cases, older, depending on their breed and temperament.

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