Adopting A Therapy Animal
Choosing a dog bred specifically for therapy work can truly make a remarkable difference. While any dog can potentially become a therapy dog and bring immense value to their community, certain dogs possess a unique ability to form deep connections with individuals, offering an empathetic presence and intuitively knowing who needs their love the most. Many pets would find it stressful, anxious, and uncomfortable to be constantly surrounded by unfamiliar faces. At our facility, our therapy dogs are carefully bred from our most highly trained and certified dogs, ensuring they inherit the qualities necessary for this special work. They undergo comprehensive training that goes beyond basic commands, encompassing essential skills such as potty training, crate training, proper leash manners, and bite inhibition. Moreover, they are accustomed to daily exposure to various sounds and environments, preparing them to interact confidently with the public. Additionally, our therapy dogs are fully vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and will undergo a scheduled and paid spay/neuter procedure at the appropriate age to prevent issues like dysplasia and stunted growth. To support your success in caring for a facility therapy dog, we provide five days of training at your location, for you and selected staff members, equipping you with the knowledge and expertise needed for their proper care.
Please email us if your organization is looking for a therapy animal to live on site at the facility. Some of our past puppies/kittens work at schools, libraries, therapy clinics, police stations, and large corporations as facility therapy pets.
check out some photos of our past litters below!
Click here to read our top 5 reasons to get a dog bred for therapy work
When considering getting a dog for therapy work, there are pros and cons to both purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder and adopting a rescue dog. While it ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences, here are some reasons why someone might choose to buy a dog specifically bred for therapy work:
Predictable Traits: Dogs bred for therapy work are carefully selected for their temperament, personality, and trainability. We focus on producing dogs with stable and predictable traits, such as calmness, sociability, and a natural inclination to provide comfort, connect with humans, and hold eye contact. This can make it easier to find a dog that is well-suited for therapy work for your facility or yourself.
Health and Genetic Background: We, and other reputable breeders, prioritize the health of our dogs and conduct thorough health screenings to ensure their breeding stock is free from hereditary diseases or conditions. By choosing a responsible breeder, you have a better chance of getting a dog with a known health and genetic background, reducing the risk of unexpected health issues that could hinder their ability to perform therapy work.
Early Socialization and Training: Our dogs bred for therapy work are raised in environments where they receive early socialization and desensitization training. Breeders may expose the puppies to various stimuli, environments, and experiences to help them develop into well-rounded and confident dogs. This early foundation can be beneficial when it comes to their adaptation to therapy work. With Take A Paws, we offer dogs fully trained, certified, and registered, ensuring the only training that wil need to be done is to maintain the dogs positive behaviors it learned from us throughout its early life!
Specific Breed Characteristics: Certain breeds have traits that are particularly well-suited for therapy work. For example, Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly and gentle nature, which can make them great therapy dogs.
Acess to assistance: Don't go through this process alone. We are here to train your staff on caring, training, and handling a therapy animal. We provide a manual and are available 24/7 via text or call for our puppy buyers.
A couple other unique reasons to choose a puppy bred for the purpose is that there are contracts in place ensuring your dog can always be returned to us, should any issue arise resulting in the facility or individual being unable to care for the animal. This gives peace of mind to our owners that their therapy dog will always be in loving hands, no matter what.
However, it's important to note that rescue dogs can also make excellent therapy dogs. We can also choose a rescue dog for you, evaluate the temperament and behavior of their dogs, train it as necessary, and certify and register that animal for you if you prefer, making it possible to find a suitable candidate for therapy work. Adoption allows you to give a loving home to a dog in need and can be a rewarding experience.
Ultimately, whether you choose to buy a puppy from us, or get paired with a rescue dog, we are happy to help you find a therapy animal to begin your journey. We can also help match you with cats, bunnies, and other animals that may be a good fit for therapy work.
