Join Us

Having a working therapy dog is a great way to spend time with your dog and share that joy with others.

GET INVOLVED - The FVTDC Process

Attend one of our practice sessions without your dog.  This will give you a chance to meet with our membership/prospect coordinator, some of our members and ask any questions you may have.

Complete and submit a Membership Application (Link?) with dues

            Complete and submit an Annual Health Record for your dog (Link?)

            For dogs over 1 year of age, submit proof of AKC Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC)   Canine Good Citizen (CGC) – American Kennel Club (akc.org)

            Attend at least 2 practice sessions with your dog

            Attend at least 1 observation visit without your dog

You and your dog will be tested and observed by at least 3 evaluators

See FVTDC Evaluation Steps below

            Complete 3 supervised visits

            Receive FVTDC board approval and Therapy Dog Certificate

FVTDC Evaluation Steps

See a Video

Note: This is a brief summary of the steps.  More detail will be provided during our practice sessions.  All steps are completed on lead.

 

  • Evaluator greets team. Brief examination of dog.

 

  • Walking through group with loose lead without reacting to other dogs, handlers or loud noise

 

  • Moving on a loosed lead at various speeds, making various turns, stopping, and staring.

 

  • Sit Stay or Down Stay (~1 minute)

 

  • Recall

 

  • Moving past tempting item on the floor

 

  • Handler picks up toy

 

  • Laying next to adult / child while being petted and touched in various areas

 

  • Reaction to loud and rowdy children

 

  • Interact with medical equipment (crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs)

 

  • Crazy Goodbye

 

  • Separation (~2 minutes)