I have a biewer yorkie that is a certified hearing service dog and he is working on his hours to be a certified therapy dog. I also have a Havanese that is both a certified hearing service dog and a certified therapy dog.
To be a service dog, hearing assisted, medication, (seizure, diabetic, mobility,etc.) took approximately 200 hours of training with a licensed service dog trainer. Many small dogs can be trained to make beds, fetch keys, determine oncoming seizures. They don't work as mobility dogs.
Therapy dogs require 10-20 hours of actual supervised "work" at the senior center or reading program or children's hospital, after the dog has passed a temperment type of test by licensed therapy dog trainer. The dog can earn his hours but cannot wear the vest with "therapy" until the dog is 1 year old.
Therapy dogs do not go into restaurants or grocery stores. Service Dogs can go anywhere when they are "working".
I know of people who have dogs for emotional support and I think those therapists and doctors that recognize how healing our animals can be for many of their patients, should be commended. |