Frequently Asked Questions
When are Chapter Meetings?
Our local chapter holds meetings the fourth Monday of the odd numbered monthsat 7pm at Sportsman Repair Shop, 1007 Pasha Avenue, Mosinee, WI 54455 (from I-39, take Hwy. 153 west through downtown
Mosinee, turn left on Elm St., then turn right on Pasha Ave. Parking is available on the east side of the building. Please use east side entrance.) Feel free to be our guest at any meeting; you do not need to be a member or have a therapy dog. If you arrive a little ahead of the scheduled meeting time, you will be able to network with some of our members. Your dog is welcome to attend, too.
When is testing?
We offer the TDI test twice a year, Spring & Fall. The Spring testing date is usually in March and the Fall testing is usually held in first weekend in November (the specific date depends on the tester’s availability). Watch our website’s home page (www.wi-tdi-dogs.org) for future test dates and how to get registered. If you are interested in
testing, you must pre-register and prepay to secure your spot. It is recommended that you register early, as the testing spots tend to fill up quite quickly.
Is Canine Good Citizen (CGC) required prior to testing?
The CGC test is actually part of the therapy dog test. A dog does not need to have
passed the CGC test prior to testing to be a therapy dog.
How do I get my dog accustomed to medical equipment?
You could expose your dog to persons who use a cane, walker, or crutches. You also could use a shopping cart (at a store such as in Petco or PetsMart), which would be similar to medical equipment. A Saturday morning at either pet store is usually a good way to teach your dog to navigate around aisles, shopping carts, people, and other dogs.
Most nursing homes do not require dogs to be certified Therapy Dogs. You may be able to contact a local nursing home and make visits with your uncertified pet, but we recommend that you verify with your insurance agent that any incident between your dog and another person will be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy.
How do I get my dog accustomed to other dogs, strangers, and loud noises?
Taking your dog for frequent walks around the neighborhood can socialize your dog to other people, loud noises (cars/motorcycles), other dogs, and a whole host of other experiences. This would be beneficial in preparing for the Therapy Dog certification test. Another opportunity to socialize your dog to other dogs would be to visit a dog park. Lastly, don’t forget about visiting a pet store (Saturday morning is usually the best) to expose your dog to other dogs and strangers.
How do you test for the leave-it portion of the test?
The leave-it portion of the test can be accomplished with any type of meat
product (hot dogs, lunch meat, etc.). Remember: you need only to walk your dog within the food item and have him/her leave-it.
Drop a piece of food on the floor and have your dog walk over it without picking it up and eating it. It also helps if you have someone throw the treat across where you are walking with your dog. Keep moving when you approach the food without slowing down and keep saying leave it.
Does Therapy Dogs of Central Wisconsin offer training or recommend a training program?
Our chapter does not conduct, nor endorse, any one particular trainer or
type of training- we instead recommend that each handler determine what type
of training would be best for him/her and their four-legged friend, and where
best to get that training (i.e. private trainer, training classes held at
some of the larger pet stores (Petco, PetsMart, etc.)). Your goal for training should be for basic obedience (i.e. AKC Canine Good Citizen requirements) as well as temperament (please see our webpage: http://www.wi-tdi-dogs.org/guidelines.htm, for more information about behavior/ temperament). I would encourage you to self-test against the Therapy Dog Certification test, as well as consider actually having your dog tested. Both are good ways of identifying what area(s), if any, you and your dog need to work on.
I am planning to get a dog- what should I look for when choosing a dog?
In regards to what to look for in a dog- it is suggested that you do research about what type of dog will best fit with you and your family. If you get a dog with a great temperament but the dog does not ‘fit’ your family, there will be a struggle. First, decide what qualities you want in your dog (is shedding okay? Barking? Lots of activity? Very little activity? How big is too big? How small is too small?).
Once you determine the qualities you want in a dog, you are ready to research which breed of dog best fits those qualities (a trip to the library, speak with a vet, search the Internet, etc).
Once you narrow down the breed, then you can begin to seek finding your dog. It is recommended that you do not get the first dog you come across unless you are certain that he/she meets all of the requirements you are seeking. It is better to take your time and get the right dog that ‘fits’ you and your family than to regret ever getting the dog and wondering how to get out of this life-long (the lifespan of the dog at a minimum) commitment. You would be amazed where you might find ‘your dog’. Check with your vet to see if she/he knows of anyone wanting to surrender a pet, check the classified ads, bulletin boards at pet stores, and your local animal shelter. Let people know that you are looking for a new pet and the breed/qualities you are seeking. Most of all- continue to be patient. “Your pet” will find you and you will find “your pet.”
Does your organization give away dogs?
Therapy Dogs of Central Wisconsin does not, nor are we aware of any person or agency that donates dogs so that they can become Therapy Dogs. Because a dog and handler are tested as a team for Therapy Dog certification, there is no way for you to
receive an already certified therapy dog. Therapy Dogs are personal pets that
have outstanding temperaments and therefore become Therapy Dogs as a means
of sharing their 'special gift'.
Where would you recommend that we get a dog?
There are many places for you to look to find a dog. Checking the classified ads, bulletin boards at pet stores, local animal shelters, or with a veterinarian might be some good places to start your search.
Are therapy dogs service animals?
The American Disabilities Act defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
Therapy dogs are not service animals. Therapy dogs are personal pets who have passed a test certifying that they are healthy and will act in a predictable manner, thus allowing them to give emotional support to the person they visit. Federal laws do not cover therapy dogs, and therapy dogs are not allowed in places that have a ‘No Pets’ policy.
Some good information about service animals can be found at: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm
I am having my dog tested to become a Therapy Dog through Therapy Dogs International so that I can take my dog to work with me and so that my employer’s insurance will “cover us”.
It would be beneficial for you to review the Therapy Dog International webpage: http://www.tdi-dog.org/briefhistory.html. It specifically reads, "TDI was formed so that dogs could be certified, insured and registered as volunteer Therapy Dogs."
The purpose of Therapy Dogs of Central Wisconsin, and our parent organization Therapy Dogs International (TDI), is to provide comfort in a volunteer setting to those in need of emotional service. TDI will not register dogs for the purpose of having a title only with no intention of providing volunteer therapy visits to others. TDI does not test and register a handler/dog team for the purpose of providing insurance through another organization (i.e. employer). TDI re-certification each year depends on contacting facilities that its teams are actively visiting, and TDI would not be able to certify that the team is working without problems in a private (work) setting.
It is strongly recommend that you contact Therapy Dogs International at tdi@gti.net and request their permission to support you with your planned endeavor.
I am a counselor/therapist and want to incorporate the use of my therapy dog into the treatment plan I give to patients. How do I go about this?
What you are speaking of is Animal Assisted Therapy. Animal Assisted Therapy is directed by health/human services professionals as a normal part of their practice, is goal-directed, and is documented. We would refer you to the Delta Society and request that you read their webpage: http://www.deltasociety.org/AnimalsAAAAbout.htm. The Delta Society has its own test/certification process for Animal Assisted Therapy. We recommend that you peruse their website, as it has some very valuable information to assist you in starting your program. We found the frequently asked questions page (http://www.deltasociety.org/AnimalsFAQFAQ.htm) to be quite beneficial.
Contrast this with the services that Therapy Dogs of Central WI (the local chapter of Therapy Dogs International http://www.tdi-dog.org/) provides, which is Animal Assisted Activities. Animal Assisted Activities are not directed by a paid health/human services professional, and do not have goals towards which people document their progress. Animal Assisted Activities increase emotional well being, promote healing, and enhance the quality of life for the people being visited and the staff that cares for these people. It is a volunteer service, and dogs certified by Therapy Dogs International are not covered by the Therapy Dogs International liability insurance anytime the handler is being paid.
I have a medical condition that remains under better control while in the presence of my dog. How do I go about getting my dog a certificate that I can take him/her everywhere I go in public (stores, etc.)?
Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed. (see: http://www.tdi- dog.org/).
From reviewing your information, it appears that you are seeking to have your
dog deemed a service animal so that he/she can help you when you are out-and-
about in public. Information about service animals can be obtained by calling the U.S. Department of Justice's toll-free Americans with Disabilities Act Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TDD) or by visiting their website at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qasrvc.htm.
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