Certify Your Own Dog Program
Everyone at Companion Paws is a dog lover. We take great care to only qualify dogs who enjoy interacting with complete strangers. For the partnership to be successful, it has to work for both the pet and owner.
Types of Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs
Through our Companion Paws program process, we assess and test 3 types of Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs:
Personal Therapy Dog
A trained, evaluated and certified dog that brings positive mental health benefits to their owners. Especially beneficial to those that struggle with mental wellness.
Assisted Therapy Dog
Work with their owner, typically educators, teachers, psychologists, counsellors and doctors. Brings great benefit to students, clients, customers and patients.
Visiting Therapy Dog
Visit hospitals, schools, hospices and nursing homes. Encouraged to interact with a variety of people while on-duty in various community settings.
Important: Companion Paws Certified dogs are designated therapy dogs and are not certified as service dogs.
Learn more about the difference between therapy dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs →Dog Guidelines
To qualify as a therapy dog, your dog must meet these requirements and have current medical health records, veterinarian letter, and dog license.
Companion Paws Certification Process
A comprehensive four-part process to determine if you and your pet are suitable candidates for Companion Paws certification.
First Temperament Assessment
30-minute assessment to establish that the dog is not a safety risk and that both dog and handler are suitable for their respective designations.
CPC Therapy Dog Skills Training Online Course
Includes reading material, 23 online skills training videos for evaluation preparation and a short quiz.
Second Temperament Assessment
Confirm suitability as a therapy dog for your requested designation(s) of Personal, Assisted or Visiting therapy.
Final Evaluation
Divided into two stages with 17 individual tests and additional exercises within each test.
Ready to Get Started?
Upon successfully completing TLC's Companion Paws Final Evaluation, you'll receive a therapy dog bandana, identification card, and certificate of registration.