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be enjoyable experiences for both of you.

OBEDIENCE - Continually work on obedience skills.

1) Practice the basics of down, sit, stay and heel.

2) Work on the "leave it" command. Many of the places you visit will have edible items that will tempt your dog. For example, pills that have landed on the floor, hospital dinner trays, trash barrels full of left over lunch or used tissues. It is important, for the safety of your dog, that they not ingest these items and the "leave it" command will help ensure their safety.

It is very important to realize that Therapy Dogs are NOT Service Dogs. Service Dogs assist people with disabilities and they are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Service Dogs are allowed to go anywhere you can take a medical device. Therapy Dogs volunteer to visit facilities and/or people who have requested their presence. Therapy Dogs are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are not automatically allowed access to restaurants, planes etc. Do not pretend your Therapy Dog is a Service Dog to gain access to normal "no dog" venues. Pretending your Therapy Dog is a Service Dog is a disservice to all the good that Therapy Dogs provide and is also illegal in many cases.

Therapy Dog visits make a big difference in people's lives. Take the time to know and train your dog. Be sure each Therapy Dog visit is enjoyed by both humans and dogs. Be safe and have fun.

Learn more about this author, Bridie Cavanaugh.
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