Social Therapy Dogs

A Social Therapy Dog (STD) is an Assistance Dog specially trained to perform at the intermediate (or higher) obedience level and is used to visit residents of nursing homes, hospitals and/or Hospice facilities. Their sole mission is to bring a sense of “joy” and “happiness” to those they meet during such visitations.
A Social Therapy Dog [STD] receives within a K-9 Training Program/Venue:
a MINIMUM of 120 hours of training against the Service Dog Command Set Matrix, over a period of at least 3 months,
a MINIMUM of 240 hours of General Obedience Training, over a period of at least 3 months,
a MINIMUM of 30 hours of “socialization” Training, over a period of at least 3 month, and,
a MINIMUM of 3 Facility Training Sessions.
At the completion of these training requirements all Social Therapy Dogs [STD] must pass the Social-Therapy Dog Certification Test, the Private Placement Client / Private Placement Handler / Social Therapy Dog Transition Training Course, and the Public Access Evaluation Test. Once the Social Therapy Dog [STD] has successfully completed these Tests / Courses, it is then designated as a “Certified” Social Therapy Dog [STD]. [Note: A Social Therapy Dog [STD] has limited “Public Access” as defined by the ADA. The Public Access is limited to facilities in which the dog can reasonably be expected to perform its duties, i.e. nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, etc.]
Social Therapy Dogs [STD] are acquired from:
the paws4peopleTM Assistance Dog Breeding Program. A custom blood-line breeding program specifically developed to produce dogs with the personality, temperament, and disposition suitable for Assistance Dog work,
a specially chosen breeder (either via donation or purchase) whose blood-lines and pedigrees have been carefully researched to produce dogs with the required personality, temperament, disposition, and confirmation suitable for Assistance Dog work, or,
the Shelter/Rescue Program.
Upon successful completion of this testing and evaluation process the Social Therapy Dog [STD] shall be eligible to wear the corresponding logo of the respective training program / facility where the dog completed its training.