We recommend our Canine Life and Social Skills group program if you are interested in group training.
CONTACT US if you are interested in our Therapy Dog PREP Program (we set these up when we have enough interest)
Therapy Dog PREP Program
This 6-week program complements the Companion Paws Canada (CPC)
Therapy Dog 'Certify Your Own Dog' program in that we help prepare teams
for the Companion Paws Therapy Dog certification EVALUATION.
Dogs who PASS this program will also PASS their first Temperament Test with Companion Paws Canada (savings of $50.00)
*This program is offered through One Smart Cookie K9 Services Inc.
*This program DOES NOT guarantee certification with Companion Paws Canada
*This program DOES NOT guarantee dogs will pass temperament testing
*Therapy dogs ARE NOT designated as service dogs and will not have the same privileges
*Please READ what it takes to certify your own dog to determine if this program is right for you
Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds.
The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament.
A good therapy dog must be:
- a minimum of 1.5 years old
- spayed/neutered
- very well trained
- healthy
- up to date on all vaccinations
- calm
- friendly
- patient
- confident
- gentle
- at ease in all situations
The LifeLine Canada offers 3 Companion Paws certification programs as well as
visits with certified Therapy Dog teams.
Personal Therapy Dog Adoption ProgramAssisted Therapy Dog Adoption Program
Certify Your Own Therapy Dog Program
Certify Your Own Dog as a Companion Paws Therapy Dog is available as part of the Companion Paws program for Personal therapy, Assisted therapy and Visiting therapy.
If you have your own very well trained dog and are looking for him or her to become a Companion Paws dog for Personal, Assisted or Visiting therapy, please thoroughly go through the program process prior to registering for a 1st Temperament Assessment to confirm suitability.
Certified Companion Paws Therapy dogs are tested with the toughest guidelines of their kind in Canada. Certified Teams are required to renew and re-evaluate annually to keep Companion Paws Certification. Adhering to these guidelines requires dedication and dedicated, authentic training.
Companion Paws program assess and test 3 types of Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs:
Personal Therapy Dog (first program of its kind in Canada): A certified personal therapy dog (Companion Paws emotional support dog) is a trained, temperament tested, evaluated and certified dog that brings positive mental health benefits to their owners/handlers.
Often a Therapy Dog is beneficial to those that struggle with mental health conditions.
Assisted Therapy Dog Assisted Therapy Dogs join their handler/owner (typically educators, teachers, psychologists, counsellors and doctors) at their workplace to help their students, clients, customers and/or patients.
Visiting Therapy Dog Typically, Visiting Therapy Dogs visit events, shelters, hospitals, schools, hospices, nursing homes and more. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to interact with a variety of people while they are on-duty.
*Please take note that Companion Paws Therapy dogs are designated companion dogs and will not be certified as service dogs.
Therapy dogs are companion dogs trained to provide affection, comfort and company and are not afforded the same legal privileges as service dogs.
For more information about Therapy Dog certification or to register your dog in the program, please visit https://companionpaws.ca/
About Companion Paws Canada