[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by AnneJ68

The local trainer I am taking him to in March also offers the K-9 citizenship test. If I remember correctly that is one of the requirements for therapy dog training. After we do the basic obedience I may seriously look into training him to be a therapy dog. We don't have a local children's hospital, however I am just a hair under 2 hours away from Duke Medical Center. I would not mind making a couple of trips per month down there.

That would be awesome! I'd never been much of a volunteer, but cheering people up with the dogs is so rewarding. I love it. We visit 2 or three times a week -- pediatric oncology, adolescent mental health and a senior home.

Yeah, if you register through Therapy Dogs International, they require you to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. I registered through Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society). They don't require Canine Good Citizen, but they have their own test.

It doesn't necessarily take a lot of training. It's more about having a mellow dog that likes people. You do have to have a sit-stay and recall and be able to walk on a loose leash. But most of the testing is just to ensure the dog can stay relaxed with people around, strange noises, etc.

Good luck! And you don't even have to visit hospitals. If there's a senior home somewhere closer, those folks love it.