Personal Therapy Adoption FAQs


What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) involves the use of trained animals to support individuals in need, providing emotional, psychological, and therapeutic benefits. The Companion Paws program specializes in three types of therapy dogs: Personal Therapy Dogs, Assisted Therapy Dogs, and Visiting Therapy Dogs. These dogs are friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and comfortable in various situations.

What is a Personal Therapy Dog?

A Personal Therapy Dog is a trained, evaluated, and certified dog that provides emotional support and therapeutic benefits to its owner. These dogs are particularly helpful for individuals managing mental health challenges. To qualify for Personal Therapy Dog certification, applicants must provide a letter from a licensed mental health professional on official letterhead, including the date, signature, applicant’s name, and an explanation of how a therapy dog would be beneficial. If you rent, a landlord permission letter allowing a dog is required.

What is a Visiting Therapy Dog?

Visiting Therapy Dogs provide comfort and companionship in hospitals, schools, hospices, nursing homes, group homes, rehabilitation centers, and similar settings. Unlike service dogs, they are encouraged to interact with multiple people during their visits. Their roles can range from assisting children with reading confidence to participating in physical rehabilitation therapy. Some Visiting Therapy Dogs work exclusively in specific establishments, such as psychotherapy offices.

What is an Assisted Therapy Dog?

Assisted Therapy Dogs work alongside professionals such as educators, psychologists, counselors, and doctors. A well-trained, calm, and affectionate dog can significantly enhance the environment for students, clients, and patients.

What are the Benefits of a Therapy Dog?

Therapy Dogs are trained in obedience and therapy-specific behavior. Interaction with a therapy dog can provide therapeutic, motivational, educational, and recreational benefits, improving overall quality of life. They support individuals with various mental health challenges, including stress, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and social anxiety disorders.

What is the Companion Paws Adoption Program?

Companion Paws Adoption is a program dedicated to supporting Canadians in need while giving rescued pets a second chance. The program pairs trained dogs with individuals who would benefit from a therapy companion or professionals who work with those in need. The full Pre-Trained Adoption Program costs $4,800 and includes:

    • Adoption fee
    • Medical checks and vaccinations
    • Spaying/neutering
    • Suitability assessments
    • Health records
    • Transportation to Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto (with additional costs for further transport)
    • Obedience and manners training
    • Pre-adoption preparation and post-adoption support
    • Temperament assessments
    • Final evaluation
    • Official Companion Paws Therapy Dog bandana, ID card, and certificate of registration
    • Ongoing support for the lifetime of the adopted dog

    Is this the only program in Canada that works with Personal Therapy Dogs?

    Yes. The LifeLine Canada Foundation’s Companion Paws program is the first and only program of its kind in Canada, specializing in the placement and training of Personal and Assisted Therapy Dogs.

    What are the guidelines for a Companion Paws Personal Therapy Dog?

    To ensure suitability, all Companion Paws therapy dogs must:

    • Have a calm temperament
    • Be friendly and affectionate with adults, children, and animals
    • Be in good health
    • Be non-aggressive
    • Weigh between 20-50 lbs
    • Be at least 1.5 years old
    • Be spayed or neutered
    • Specific criteria may vary depending on the needs of the adopter

    Are the dogs trained before adoption?

    Yes. Pre-Trained dogs undergo obedience and manners training before placement. Additional training sessions are provided to strengthen the bond between the adopter and the dog while reinforcing learned skills.

    Is the Companion Paws Adoption Program available across Canada?

    Yes, our program is available nationwide.

    Do I need a letter from a mental health professional to adopt a Personal Therapy Dog?

    Yes. A letter from a licensed mental health professional (such as a psychologist, psychotherapist, or counselor) is required. The letter must be on official letterhead and include the date, contact details, license/registration number, and a recommendation stating how a therapy dog would be beneficial.

    How long does it take to receive an adopted Companion Paws dog?

    For the Pre-Trained Adoption Program, the search, training, and placement process typically takes about six months.

    Can a Companion Paws Therapy Dog be used in public spaces?

    Therapy dogs do not have public access rights like service dogs. However, businesses and organizations may grant permission on a case-by-case basis.

    Can a therapy dog be trained to assist with specific tasks?

    Therapy dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks like service dogs. Their role is to provide emotional support and companionship.

    Can I choose the breed or size of my adopted therapy dog?

    While we consider preferences, the most important factor is matching the right temperament and personality to the adopter’s needs.

    Can adopters choose the dog?

    Adopters will give final approval of the dog match prior to placement.

    Will Companion Paws provide ongoing support after adoption?

    Yes. We offer lifetime support for all Companion Paws Therapy Dogs and their owners. Certification is not required to receive continued assistance.

    What are the qualifications for a Therapy Dog?

    To qualify, a dog must:

    • Be between 1.5 and 5 years old
    • Be good with other dogs, children, and adults (including cats if applicable)
    • Have a calm temperament and low/medium energy level
    • Be gentle, friendly, and confident (not timid or anxious)
    • Be in good health with up-to-date veterinary records
    • Be spayed or neutered
    • Weigh between 20-50 lbs (with exceptions for specific needs)
    • Show no aggression, resource guarding, reactivity, excessive barking, or jumping behavior

    Do you provide training?

    Yes. Dogs in the Pre-Trained Adoption Program receive obedience training before placement. Additional training sessions are arranged to reinforce learned skills and strengthen the adopter-dog bond.

    Can I adopt if I already have a dog?

    Yes. If you have a dog at home, they must be at least 12 months old, spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated, and properly trained before a Companion Paws placement is considered.

    What experience do Companion Paws trainers have?

    Our trainers and adjudicators have extensive expertise, ranging from 10 to 30+ years in professional dog training. They use only positive reinforcement techniques.

    Have any adoptions failed certification?

    Selecting the right temperament is crucial. Some adopters choose not to pursue certification, while others work toward it with ongoing training. Success depends on the adopter’s commitment to sustained training and bonding. While there are no guarantees, we provide guidance and support to set each adopter up for success.

    What does the final evaluation include?

    The evaluation consists of 17 tests, all of which must be passed with a perfect score:

    1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger
    2. Sitting Politely for Petting
    3. Walking on a Leash
    4. Walking Through a Crowd
    5. Sit & Down on Command
    6. Coming When Called
    7. Reaction to Another Dog
    8. Reaction to Distractions (x2)
    9. Reaction to Medical Equipment (x2)
    10. “Leave It” Command (x2)
    11. No Food Aggression
    12. Supervised Separation (1 minute)
    13. “Say Hello”
    14. Grooming & Appearance

    What legal protections do Therapy Dogs have?

    Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs do not have public access rights and may be denied entry to certain locations. However, some airlines may allow small therapy dogs to travel in the cabin if they fit in a carrier at the traveler’s feet.

    How do Companion Paws standards compare to other organizations?

    Companion Paws follows the highest testing and training standards in the industry.

    Why haven’t I heard of Companion Paws before?

    Companion Paws was established in late 2015 as the first and only program in Canada specializing in Personal and Assisted Therapy Dog adoption.

    Are there annual fees?

    Yes. An annual renewal fee of $110 applies to all Certified Companion Paws Therapy Dogs, which includes an annual evaluation and an updated Id Card.

    Will I need to take an annual evaluation?

    Yes. Certified members must undergo an annual evaluation at the time of renewal or if concerns arise. The renewal fee covers this re-evaluation.

    How can I contact you?

    For more information, feel free to contact us at administrator@companionpaws.ca.