How to Raise a Therapy Dog

Socialize your dog from puppyhood, starting at 7 weeks old, with other dogs and a variety of other people. Make puppy play dates with friends' dogs and take your puppy to a dog park. Invite friends to your home to gently play with and handle your dog. A therapy pet must be comfortable with strangers and other animals, so early socialization provides a solid foundation for a calm temperament.

Bring your puppy to a veterinarian to have all of his necessary vaccinations, as recommended by your veterinarian and state laws. The doctor will also examine your puppy's health and give you the vaccination schedule to follow. Therapy dogs must have documentation of all of their vaccinations, pass a health exam and be free of parasites.

Therapy Dogs International requires dogs registered with its organization to have current rabies, distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus vaccinations. Dogs must also have had a fecal test to test for parasites and a test for heartworm disease, both of which must be negative. Pet Partners has similar requirements.

Bathe and brush your puppy to get him used to such handling. A therapy dog must be bathed before visiting medical facilities to keep him clean and free of parasites, so your dog must be used to such cleaning. The handling also gets him used to people touching him, something necessary for therapy work.

Enroll your puppy, under 1 year old -- but older than 8 to 10 weeks old so he is weaned -- in the American Kennel Club's S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. This program consists of a series of six or more obedience classes taught by an AKC Canine Good Citizen-approved instructor. These classes teach basic obedience commands, including housetraining, and allow your puppy to socialize with other dogs and people. At the end of the program you receive a certificate of your dog's competency which allows him to continue on to other training programs.

Attend the AKC's Canine Good Citizen training program classes with your puppy. The S.T.A.R. program acts as a precursor to this program of more advanced training. Some therapy dog programs, such as Therapy Dogs International, require this training before allowing your dog to register with its organization. This program is generally a good way to prepare your dog for such training, even if not required. These classes teach more advanced obedience techniques, work on your dog's temperament and continue to socialize him.

To find classes in your area, contact your local SPCA, animal shelter or AKC breed-specific club (for pedigreed dogs), to see if they offer AKC CGC program classes; many of these organizations offer this program to all breeds of dogs.

Contact your local therapy pet training program to attend classes in person or attend classes online. Pet Partners offers training and certification for therapy pets, while Therapy Dogs International only offers registration with the organization. Dogs must be at least 1 year old, healthy, well-behaved and obedient to be accepted into such programs. After attending any required courses by such organizations, a trainer will evaluate both you and your dog as a team.

Register with a local or national therapy pet organization. There is usually a fee involved, which varies by organization. As of April 2012, Pet Partners charges a fee of $95 for each therapy pet team of one person and one pet. By registering with an organization, both you and your dog are covered under its special liability insurance when performing therapy work.

Perform therapy work with your dog at your local library, hospital, hospice, nursing home or shelter. The therapy organization you belong to can refer you to local venues in need of therapy dogs. Keep therapy sessions positive and upbeat so that they are enjoyable for your dog.