Step 3: Attend the NCTD Therapy Dog Training Class

Practice Makes Perfect!

This class is for novice handlers and/or animals who would like to prepare for therapy work.  This class is optional, but highly recommended prior to being evaluated as a Delta Pet Partners team. Historically, teams that complete the Therapy Dog Training Class have a much higher success rate passing the Pet Partners Team Evaluation!

Class Goals:

• Get to know more about NCTD.
• Meet other NCTD volunteers, and learn from their visiting experiences.
• Get better prepared for therapy visits.
• Get your dog exposed to hospital equipment.
• Improve control and communication with your dog.
• Practice team reaction to distractions.
• Practice with successful therapy dogs.
• ... and much more!

Prerequisites:

• Dog must be at least 9 months old at start of class.
• A copy of a current rabies vaccination must be provided by the first day of class.
• Dogs will be pre-screened on the first day of class if they do not have a CGC or equivalent. If a dog does not pass the pre-screening, course costs will be refunded.

When:

• 6 Week Course
• Saturdays from 9:00 - 10:30 AM
• Check the NCTD calendar for upcoming course dates.

Where:

• The first 5 weeks are generally held at The Coventry School, Columbia, Maryland, or at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
• The last week is generally held at the Columbia Mall, Columbia, Maryland, or Lakeforest Mall, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Cost: 

• $125

Register Now for NCTD's Therapy Dog Training Course

Next Step - Pet Partners Team Screening