People who are residents in care homes, rehabilitation centres and hospices, children in special needs schools and patients in hospitals – they can all benefit from regular and close contact with animals, especially man’s best friend the dog.

Would your four-legged friend have the ability to become a therapy dog? In order to fulfil this important role, dogs need to have certain traits. They must be patient, be tolerant of being handled by strangers however roughly, be extremely obedient, and walk on lead without pulling.

A calm disposition, with no fear of unsteady movement in humans, is vital.  Also a good tolerance for other animals and a complete lack of aggression, especially regarding food, is key to success.  How do you think your dog would respond on its first visit to an aged care centre?  

There are unusual smells and strange medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and trolleys, to negotiate, and often loud and strange noises too.  It can be very confronting, so a good therapy dog needs be able to remain relaxed.

Not only does the dog have to be well balanced, so does the handler!  Most institutions will require handlers to pass a police check, especially where interaction with children is involved.

New handlers should be accompanied by an experienced person who can help them assess whether or not this voluntary, community service activity is right for them too.

Yve Robinson, chief instructor of Narooma Dog Training Club, has been successfully running “Dogs as Therapy” in Narooma aged care facilities for many years.

If you think you would like to participate in this voluntary program, she would be delighted to meet and talk with you.

Yve can be contacted via the AWL NSW Narooma Dog Training Club Branch phone at 0458 953 281.