Information Regarding Therapy Dogs

    A therapy dog is used for animal assisted therapy and activities. Organizations train the dog to help people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and virtually anywhere people need some sort of therapy.  Therapy dogs perform many functions, such as providing unconditional affection, promoting a sense of well-being, and improving both memory and interaction skills.

      For some organizations, the dog must first be certified as a Canine Good Citizen (CGC). In order to receive this, you have to train your dog to be focused and well behaved around distractions.  The CGC test consists of 10 exercises that you and your dog perform to the satisfaction of an AKC Canine Good Citizen certified evaluator. In addition to the 10 exercises, owners must sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge.  This is the owner’s agreement to take care of their dog’s health, needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life.

     If CGC certification is not required, therapy dog training can begin once your dog is evaluated to ensure proper temperament and behavior.  This evaluation is very similar to the CGC test. The therapy dog training consists mainly of teaching your dog how to ignore possible distractions, such as hospital equipment or school noises, which he or she may not be used to.  They also train your dog to help with simple activities and with therapy for those who need it. However, in many cases, the therapy is really just the presence of the dog.

Locations that perform the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test

The Anti-Cruelty Society

  • Offers a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep Course, which is a three week class that prepares your dog through a series of evaluations and obedience courses.  The dog must be over 4 months of age.  The dog must also be spayed or neutered if over 6 months of age.  The fee is $50, which includes the test fee and a 20ft. leash
     
  • They also offer the certification without the Prep Course.  It is open to all dogs who have received their Rabies vaccination.  The fee is $10.
     
  • The applications to attend either of these sessions can be found at their website, which is www.anticruelty.org

Black Dog K-9 Performance

  • Offers obedience classes as well as CGC certification that take place at the Animal Welfare League, located at 10305 Southwest Hwy in Chicago Ridge.  Call (708) 636-8586 or (708) 371-4925 to obtain more information regarding sign-up and pricing for these classes.  Their website can also be found at http://www.blackdogk9.com

Canis Sapiens Dog Training

  • Offers Canine Good Citizen Prep classes and Test
     
  • $45 for all three sessions and test,  $15 for test only
     
  • Call (773)913-2030 or go to website http://www.canissapiens.com for more information    

The Barking Lot

  • Offers CGC test multiple times per year.  Call either location for more information
     
  • Two locations in Chicago:
    2442 W. Irving Park Road     (773)583-0055
    1616 N. Washtenaw      (773)862-2275

Information Regarding Therapy Dog Training

Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy

  • Offer training and certification
     
  • Offer Drop In Therapy Dog Classes every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 7:30 pm to 9pm.   They also offer the classes every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:30 pm.  Both classes are at the Morton Grove location.
     
  • If certified through Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, the certification is only recognized through them.  Outside organizations do not recognize this certification; therefore you would only be able to work with Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy.

    * PAWS Chicago will still recognize this certification, and will accept dogs certified through Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy.
     
  • Information can be found at http://www.rainbowaat.org
     
  • Only provide services for children, not adults
     
  • Contact Nancy Lind at rainbow3719@juno.com or (773) 283-1129 to sign up

Chenny Troupe

  • Offer training and certification
     
  • The Chenny Troupe can be reached at (773)404-6467. You can also access their website at http://www.chennytroupe.org
     
  • If certified through Chenny Troupe, the certification is only recognized through them.  Outside organizations do not recognize this certification; therefore you would only be able to work with Chenny Troupe.

    * PAWS Chicago will still recognize this certification, and will accept dogs certified through Chenny Troupe

   List of trainers provided by the Chenny Troupe: 

1. Frank Brader- located at Riverside and Brookfield.  Can be reached at (630)964-7688 or at http://www.dogtrainingbyfrank.com

2. Jennifer Boznos- located at 3027 N. Rockwell.  Can be reached at (773)539-1088 or at http://www.callofthewildschool.com

3. Dennis & Wendy DiCarlo- located at 1943 W. Estes.  Can be reached at  (773)973.2934 or at http://www.dogobediencegroup.com

4. Dennis Hill- located in Waukegan.  Can be reached at (847)662-5150 or at       http://www.dogsense.net

5. Joan Harris- located at 2945 W. Lake.  Can be reached at (773)696-1548 or at     http://www.k9uchicago.com

6. Steve Koven- located at 3927 N. Elston.  Can be reached at (773)463-4977 or at   http://www.kovendogtraining.com

7. Daniel McElroy- located at 1959 W. Fulton Street.  Can be reached at
(312)455-8582 or at http://www.barkavenueplaycare.com

8. Rendy Schwartz- located at 1330 W. North Ave.  Can be reached at
(773)919-7297 or at http://www.anythingispawsible.com

9. Howard Mellon- located at 457 N. Union.  Can be reached at (312)733-7926 or at  http://www.anythingispawsible.com

The Delta Society

*Prerequisites:

  • Person handling the animal must be at least 10 years old.  If younger than 16 years old, must be accompanied by an adult.
     

  • The animal must be at least 1 year old and have lived with the owner for 6 months

Step 1: Pet Partners Team Training Course

Can be completed 2 different ways:

1. Attend a workshop
There are two more workshops scheduled for 2007 in Oak Park.  One on Nov. 4th, the other on Dec. 16th.  There will be more posted on this website at the beginning of the New Year

 2. If attending a workshop is not possible, you can buy the home study Manuel, which gives you suggested activities that will help handlers learn the proper skills.  This book also includes registration material.

Step 2: Health Screening

  • All pets must have proper, up to date immunizations, be free from parasites, and pass a general physical exam
     
  • The proper form s for you  and your veterinarian to complete are in the registration packet

Step 3: Team Evaluation

1.Complete a Pet Partners Skills Test
This test is modeled after the CGC test.  It includes proper behavior of your animal, whether they follow commands, and if they are able to be around hospital equipment and other environments, such as schools.

2.Complete the Pet Partners Aptitude Test
This test simulates experiences you and your pet may encounter.  This assists in determining which setting you and your animal will be best suited for.  The test is very similar to a temperament test, and it evaluates the aptitude of the handler/animal team.

These evaluations are performed by Delta-licensed Team Evaluators.  Below is a list of the evaluators in the Chicago area.

  • Shirley Lieb- contact by e-mail SDL747@aol.com . Located in Chicago, IL
     

  • Ina Jacobs- contact by e-mail inajacobs@comcast.net or phone at (630) 306-3777.  Located in Lisle, IL
     

  • Becky Jankowski- contact by e-mail, beckyzj@sbcglobal.net , or by phone at (630) 960-5209.  Located in Downer’s Grove, IL
     

  • Susan Hopman- contact by e-mail, dogssmh@sbcglobal.net, or by phone at (815)455-5947.  Located in Crystal Lake, IL
     

  • Kathy Feuillan- contact by e-mail, kfeuliian@comcast.net, or by phone at (847)830-6307. Located in Algonquin, IL

     Step 4: Complete and Submit the Registration Packet

  • Includes a registration fee of $75, which is valid for 2 years

Therapy Dog International (TDI)

  • Only offers certification, does not offer training
     
  • Information found at http://www.tdi-dog.org/whatdo.html.  Look under ‘Registration Information’, ‘TDI Testing Requirements’, and ‘Upcoming TDI Tests’.
     
  • A non-profit organization, therefore no visitation fees
     
  • Offers CGC and Therapy Dog Testing.  They do not offer training classes, they only administer the tests.  The Dog must be at least 1 year old, and if the handler is under the age of 18, they must be accompanied by an adult.
     
  • Requires a Canine Good Citizen Test prior to therapy dog testing
     
  • Your dog must also have all necessary, up to date vaccinations
     
  • Offers CGC and other Therapy Dog International Tests given at the following locations:
*More dates and times will be posted after the New Year
 
Biscuits & Bows
Palatine, IL
December 10, 2007
For more information please contact TDI Evaluator: Mariellen Spiros (847) 963-1833

Lincolnshire Animal Hospital
Lincolnshire, IL
For more information please call (847) 634-9250

BC Dog Training
Mundelien, IL
October 28, 2007
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

For more information please contact TDI Evaluator: Mariellen Spiros (847) 963-1833 or LuLuLoLita@comcast.com

German Shepherd DTC of Chicago
Hanover Park, IL
November 30, 2007
7:00 PM
For more information please contact TDI Evaluator: Mariellen Spiros (847) 963-1833

Lincolnwood Training
Glenview, IL
December 2, 2007
9:00 AM
For more information please contact TDI Evaluator: Cathy Stein (847) 217-0527 or catnap1017@aol.com

Blitzen Canine
Frankfort, IL
December 8, 2007
10:00 AM
Pre-registration required
For more information please contact TDI Evaluator: Mariellen Spiros (847) 963-1833

*At PAWS Chicago, we highly recommend using positive reinforcement as your means of training.  We can not guarantee that all of the above organizations use positive reinforcement.

*PAWS Chicago will accept dogs certified from any of the above organizations