PARTNER EVENT: 5-Week Therapy Dog Training Course

Course Overview
The Therapy Dog Training Course, led by Cindy Ehlers, Certified Dog Trainer & Therapy Dog Specialist, is a 5-week program designed for handlers and their dogs who want to prepare for their formal evaluation to become a certified therapy dog team. This course covers essential skills, behavior management, and real-world applications to prepare teams for therapy work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other community settings. Participants will learn how to read their dog’s body language, manage stress, reinforce positive behaviors, and navigate therapy visits with confidence. The course concludes with a mock evaluation to assess readiness for the formal evaluation.

Please note that dogs must be at least 4 months old to take the training and senior dogs must be pre-approved (please contact Cindy Ehlers at pawsitivepet@me.com for more information and preapproval).

What You’ll Learn:

• The history and science behind therapy dog work, including insights from Cindy Ehlers’ experience developing Animal Assisted Crisis Response.
• Understanding stress—how it impacts both dogs and handlers, recognizing stress signals, and managing stress effectively.
• Reading your dog’s body language and expressions to ensure a calm and confident therapy visit.
• Creating positive associations with all aspects of therapy dog interactions and developing appropriate visiting manners.
• Utilizing positive reinforcement techniques to shape ideal behaviors.
• Proper handling, public access skills, and real-world exposure.
• Navigating therapy visits with confidence.
• How to participate in a mock evaluation to assess readiness and gain confidence for the therapy dog evaluation and certification process.

Is Therapy Dog Training a Good Fit For My Dog?
Unsure if therapy dog work is right for you and your dog? DOWNLOAD our handout for more information about what to expect and how to be prepared. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Cindy Ehlers at Pawsitive Pet for help. She can be reached at pawsitivepet@me.com or text/call: (541) 461-1188.

Course Structure:
Week 1 – Foundations of Therapy Dog Work

• Learn the history and science behind the human-animal bond.
• Gain an in-depth understanding of stress—its causes, signs, and management.
• Develop stress management techniques for both you and your dog.
• Learn to interpret body language and expressions to enhance communication.

Week 2 – Understanding & Modifying Behavior

• Teach your dog essential coping skills and behavior shaping techniques.
• Introduce therapy-friendly tricks to enhance engagement.

Week 3 – Preparing for Therapy Visits

• Understand the different components of a therapy visit.
• Learn about diverse populations, when to visit, and when to hold off.
• Develop strategies to set your dog up for success, including planning and problem-solving.

Week 4 – Hands-On Practice & Public Access Skills

• Practice leash handling, greetings, and exposure to therapy settings.
• Develop advanced skills for managing real-world scenarios, distractions, and challenges.

Week 5 – Mock Evaluation & Certification Prep

• Participate in a structured evaluation to assess readiness.
• Receive personalized feedback to refine skills before the official certification test.

Who Should Enroll?

✔️ Dog guardians looking to train their dog for therapy work.
✔️ Handlers preparing for therapy dog certification.
✔️ Trainers seeking to expand their expertise in therapy dog training.
✔️ Community members interested in volunteer therapy work.

Course Includes:

✅ Weekly hands-on activities and real-world practice.
✅ Homework exercises to reinforce learning.
✅ Expert guidance and Q&A sessions.
✅ A final mock evaluation to assess readiness.

Location:

Zoom Room, on-site at the Mall at Fox Run and other location TBD

Date & Time:

• Tuesday, April 15th from 6:00 – 7:30pm in the Zoom Room
• Tuesday, April 22nd from 6:00 – 7:30pm in the Zoom Room
• Tuesday, April 29th from 6:00 – 7:30pm in the Zoom Room
• Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00 – 11:00am in-person location TBD
• Saturday, May 10th from 10:00 – 11:00am at the Mall at Fox Run

About the Instructor:
Cindy Ehlers, owner of Pawsitive Pet in Barrington, NH, brings over 30 years of experience in animal care. She is a certified professional rewards-based dog trainer and a certified trauma responder specializing in therapy and service dog training.

After responding to a high school shooting in 1998 with her therapy dog, Cindy developed the Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) training curriculum, implementing programs that use therapy dogs to support at-risk populations and individuals in crisis. Today, more than 400 certified K9 teams nationwide continue this vital work.

Cindy is dedicated to helping people and pets navigate challenges with confidence, providing compassionate guidance and practical solutions for behavioral issues, therapy work, and disaster preparedness.

To learn more, visit PawsitivePet.org.

Cost to Participate: To participate in this 5-week course, please register below. Limited to 20 dogs. One dog per handler only.

• Golden Dog Club Members – $175
• Not-yet-members – $190

Full refund issued if cancellation received 1-week prior to event start time, otherwise no refund if canceled after. 

Disclaimer:
This Therapy Dog Training Course is a Golden Dog Adventure Co. Partner Event but is not organized or hosted by Golden Dog Adventure Co. We are not responsible for course content, instruction, or certification eligibility. Participation does not guarantee certification, as requirements vary by organization. All inquiries should be directed to the instructor or course organizers. Golden Dog Adventure Co. assumes no liability for any outcomes related to this course.