Trusted Trainer and Assessor

Sarah is a trusted trainer with Therapy Dog Training UK. She is able to offer training and assessments to allow your dog to certify as a therapy dog. The training process is made up of the following:

• STEP 1: Purchase the 2 workshops (known as Visiting Therapy Dog workshops 1&2) needed to enrol in the course via this link here.

• STEP 2: Complete a temperament assessment (after you have completed workshops 1&2) to check your dog is suitable to become a therapy dog and check for any training needs.

• STEP 3: Complete any training sessions needed to get your dog up to scratch (either via 121s, group classes or practising at home using the online videos from workshops 1&2). Please note, this step may not be needed, depending on how your dog gets on in Step 2.

• STEP 4: Complete the final assessment. On completion of the assessment, Therapy Dog Training UK will issue and send out your certificate.

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All therapy dogs need to be over 18 months before completing the final assessment, but dogs of any age are welcome to start the process. Dogs will be checked to ensure vaccinations and microchipping are up to date. They will need to know cues such as:

• Sit

• Down

• Go to a mat

• Door manners

• Extended sits, downs and stays

• Recall

• Neutrality to dogs

• Loose lead walking
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Once dogs have successfully completed the assessments, they will be able to go into schools, care homes, hospitals etc., but DO NOT have access right into shops as assistance dogs do.