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Due to COVID-19, most facilities are closed to NCTD therapy dog visits, but we are scheduling training classes, virtual workshops, and in-person meet-and-greets as we prepare to resume visits this spring. As always, we will continue to focus on the safety of our clients and volunteers.

NCTD requests that all volunteers and participants in NCTD sponsored activities who are medically able receive a COVID vaccine prior to taking part in any therapy team visit, indoor class, open floor, evaluation or other event. The current CDC guidelines for masking and social distancing should be followed by attendees at all NCTD events being held indoors or outdoors.

Upcoming events

  • Handler's Class (Gaithersburg, MD)

    • January 07, 2023
    • 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
    • The Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
    Register
    Note:  If session you're interested in is full, please consider putting your name on the waiting list.  Then we can notify you if additional openings or class dates become available.

    This one day intensive training class for prospective therapy animal handlers is taught by NCTD instructors. The class features lecture and PowerPoint presentations, class discussion, role play, demonstration, and videos. It will cover topics such as therapy animal team registration requirements, different health care settings and populations, visiting tips and techniques, and managing stress and difficult situations.

    NCTD sponsors the Handler's Class in the Baltimore-Washington area approximately four times each year. Early registration is appreciated.

    The fee for this course includes a resource guide which will be distributed at the class.

    Additional Notes:

    • A copy of your dog's current rabies certificate and AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification is required
    • Sorry, no pets allowed at this class
    • Dress comfortably
    • Light refreshments and/or lunch will be provided, depending on class times
    • A minimum of 5 people are required to offer this training. Class size is limited to 10 people.
    • Registrations are accepted up to one week before class is held
    • Monies must be received prior to attending class
    • The training facilities are accessible for those with disabilities. If you have any special needs, please advise NCTD ahead of time.
    • Financial assistance may be available; individuals requesting assistance should write a letter to the NCTD Board for review. Forward letters with your training/screening application.
    • All fees are non-refundable
    Show details

  • Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)

    • January 18, 2023
    • February 22, 2023
    • 6 sessions
    • The Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    This class is for potential volunteers and their pets who would like to prepare for therapy work.

    Class Goals:

    • Get to know more about NCTD
    • Meet other NCTD volunteers, and learn from their visiting experiences
    • Become prepared for therapy visits
    • Get your pet exposed to hospital equipment
    • Improve control and communication with your pet
    • Practice team reaction to distractions
    • Practice with successful therapy animals
    • ... 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 must currently have reliable basic obedience skills:
      • Sit, Down, Stay on command
      • Walk on loose leash (no pulling handler, or dragging behind)
    • Dogs must have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test sponsored by the American Kennel Club
    • Dogs may be pre-evaluated on the first day of class. If a dog does not pass the pre-evaluation, course costs will be refunded.

    Attendance Requirement:

    • Teams must attend 5 out of 6 classes to be eligible for evaluation
    • The sixth class is generally a "mall visit" to practice visiting skills in a public setting
    • Please do not sign up for a set of classes if you cannot commit to the schedule
    The 6th class (mall visit) may be a different day, time, and location from the other classes.

     All fees are non-refundable.
    Show details

  • Evaluation (Gaithersburg, MD)

    • March 11, 2023
    • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • The Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 30877
    • 8
    Register

    This is the evaluation event for new therapy dog teams that have completed both the NCTD Handler's Class and the 6-week Therapy Dog Training Class.

    Information regarding your assigned 20-minute evaluation period, paperwork required, items to bring, etc. will be provided separately.

    Show details

  • NCTD Volunteer Picnic

    • September 30, 2023
    • 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Black Hill Regional Park, Shelter J, 20930 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD 20841


    Show details

Past events

November 05, 2022 Evaluation (Columbia, MD)
September 21, 2022 Therapy Dog Training Class (Columbia, MD)
September 17, 2022 Handler's Class (Columbia, MD)
June 18, 2022 Evaluation (Ellicott City, MD)
April 16, 2022 Evaluation (Gaithersburg, MD)
March 02, 2022 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
February 26, 2022 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
February 12, 2022 Virtual Trick Dog Workshop
July 17, 2021 Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
August 02, 2020 Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
June 25, 2020 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
June 14, 2020 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
April 18, 2020 Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
March 05, 2020 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
February 22, 2020 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
November 16, 2019 Evaluation (Columbia, MD)
October 05, 2019 Therapy Dog Training Class (Columbia, MD)
September 21, 2019 Handler's Class (Columbia, MD)
September 04, 2019 Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
August 11, 2019 Evaluations (Rockville, MD)
July 28, 2019 Board of Directors Meeting (Rockville, MD)
July 02, 2019 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
June 23, 2019 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
June 15, 2019 Therapy Dog Training Class (Baltimore, MD)
June 01, 2019 Handler's Class (Baltimore, MD)
May 19, 2019 Board of Directors Meeting (Rockville, MD)
May 04, 2019 Dover Days Pet Parade
April 28, 2019 Paws in the Park
April 13, 2019 Evaluations (Rockville, MD)
March 07, 2019 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
February 23, 2019 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
November 03, 2018 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Columbia, MD)
October 27, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting (Rockville, MD)
September 25, 2018 Therapy Dog Training Class (Columbia, MD)
September 08, 2018 Handler's Class (Columbia, MD)
August 11, 2018 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
July 28, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting (Rockville, MD)
June 26, 2018 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
June 23, 2018 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
May 19, 2018 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Baltimore, MD)
April 28, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting (Rockville, MD)
April 14, 2018 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
March 31, 2018 Therapy Dog Training Class (Baltimore, MD)
March 24, 2018 Handler's Class (Baltimore, MD)
February 28, 2018 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
February 17, 2018 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
January 20, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting (Rockville, MD)
November 18, 2017 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Columbia, MD)
October 28, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting (Rockville, MD)
September 26, 2017 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Delaware)
September 16, 2017 Therapy Dog Training Class (Columbia, MD)
September 09, 2017 Handler's Class (Columbia, MD)
August 19, 2017 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
August 08, 2017 Therapy Dog Training Class (Delaware)
August 01, 2017 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Delaware)
July 22, 2017 Board Meeting (Rockville, MD)
July 05, 2017 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
July 01, 2017 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
May 13, 2017 Suzanne Clothier Seminar
April 22, 2017 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
March 01, 2017 Therapy Dog Training Class (Gaithersburg, MD)
February 25, 2017 Handler's Class (Rockville, MD)
February 11, 2017 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Rockville, MD)
December 08, 2016 Pause for Paws
November 12, 2016 Therapy Dog Team Evaluation (Columbia, MD)
November 03, 2016 American University Student De-Stressing Day
October 22, 2016 Therapy Dog Training Class - Mall Visit (Columbia, MD)
September 17, 2016 Therapy Dog Training Class (Columbia, MD)
September 10, 2016 Handler's Class (Columbia, MD)
May 07, 2016 Risë VanFleet Seminar

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NCTD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

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