I’m thinking about taking my dog to visit people in a nearby nursing home. What can I do to prepare him to be a good therapy dog?

The most important member of any therapy dog team is the handler. You are the one who must make the commitment and then follow a schedule of regular visits. To make sure it’s an activity that’s suited to you, find a therapy handler working nearby and ask if you can accompany her on several visits. Just you, without your dog.

Your best friend may or may not be a good therapy dog candidate. Besides having good obedience skills, he needs to be willing to meet and interact with strangers, work well with other dogs, and react calmly to distractions and stress. To test your dog’s basic temperament, socialize. Take him into the community to face new people and new situations. He’ll let you know if he likes it.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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