Teamworks Dog Training, llc

   What is the minimum age for a person to become a registered therapy dog handler? 

     Handlers between 10 years and 18 years of age can be certified with the
Carolina Canines for Therapy , but need to be accompanied in class and
on actual visits by an adult. 

   What is the minimum age for the dog to be able to take the
assessments? 

    Dogs should be one year of age to take the Carolina Canines for Therapy  
assessment.   They should also have lived with the handler for a minimum of
6 months.

   Does my dog have to have a Canine Good Citizen title before enrolling in the Therapy Dog class? 

     Yes.  To be sure that all of the dogs in the class have the same basic skills,
your dog must have a CGC title to take the Therapy Dog Class.  The class goals
will assume you and your dog are able to perform all of these objectives and
then will build upon them to teach you more advanced skills needed for the
Therapy environment. Note that:  AT TEAMWORKS DOG TRAINING, YOUR DOG MAY TAKE THE CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TEST ON A GENTLE LEADER AND MEET THE CGC CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.  WHILE YOUR DOG CANNOT RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL CANINE GOOD CITIZEN CERTIFICATE WITH THE GENTLE LEADER ON, TEAMWORKS WILL ACCEPT A PASSING SCORE WITH THE GENTLE LEADER ON FOR OUR REQUIREMENTS, SINCE THE GENTLE LEADER IS ALLOWED IN THE Carolina Canines for Therapy EVALUATION.  DOGS WHO PASS THE CANINE GOOD CITIZEN EVALUATION WITH THEGENTLE LEADER ON SHOULD WEAR THE GENTLE LEADER TO THE NEXT CLASS.

        If I'm pretty sure my dog will pass the Canine Good Citizen
test, do I have to take the CGC class first, or can I just be tested?

        We'd be happy to evaluate you and your dog for the Canine Good Citizen test for a charge of $30.00.  The test dates are listed on our class sign up page.Please sign up online to make arrangements.  However, if you decide yourdog might need to brush up on one or two skills, please consider our Distraction Proofing class.

    What if I'm not sure my dog will be the "perfect" therapy dog?   

     No dog is completely perfect in every situation.   There are as many different types of therapy environments as there are types of dogs and handlers.  What we will focus on in the class is figuring out what your dog's potential strengths and weaknesses are, and helping you match  your skills as a team to the right type of therapy environment.  Please see our videos for examples of therapy dog behavior.

  Do I have to take the Therapy Dog class before getting
evaluated?  

     If you are not currently certified as a Delta Society Pet Partner, you must
take the Carolina Canines for Therapy  class at least one time with your first therapy dog.  Please note there is no longer a "home study" option available for new teams.  In the Therapy Dog class, we will introduce intense therapy-environment distractions like working around medical equipment, positioning techniques, and visitation skills.  We will also speak on topics like infection control and special patient populations. You will receive a comprehensive home-study manual and information on therapy dog programs in the local area.  You can sign up for a class at:
http://216.154.216.175/cgi-bin/classes.pl?PAGE=1&TEMPLATE=7 or by
calling our office at 855-0422. 

   What if I'm already certified with the Delta Society?

     If you are  currently certified as a Pet Partners team, we will grandfather
you into the Carolina Canines for Therapy program by allowing you to take a "re-assessment".  You can sign up online for a re-evaluation at:  http://216.154.216.175/cgi-bin/classes.pl?PAGE=1&TEMPLATE=14 or by
calling our office at 855-0422.  Teamworks will send you a complimentary
Carolina Canines for Therapy  manual. The re-assessment is $35 per team.  If you and your partner do not pass the assessment and have not taken a Therapy Dog class at Teamworks or at Carolina Canines for Service, you will be required to take the class before re-attempting the assessment.  If you have already taken the Therapy Dog class one time, you can sign up for a re-assessment after  30 days. Please note that Teamworks is no longer offering Delta Society Pet Partners evaluations.

   What if I live far away from Teamworks and have a
group that needs re-evaluations?

   Groups may also contact Teamworks at 919-855-0422 to arrange a Carolina Canines for Therapy assessment at another location.  A minimum of ten participants and four volunteers not taking the test must be available, as well as a suitable facility.  As long as the assessment is in the local Raleigh/Durham area, the price for the assessment will be $40 per team, to cover travel expenses.  If the assessment is further away, the travel costs will be added to the cost of the assessment.

   What if I have two dogs I'd like to have certified? 

     Additional dogs certified at $35.00 extra per dog.  Rules specify though,
that you may only visit with one dog at a time and only certified handlers may take the dog on visits. Each handler must take the Therapy Dog class at least one time.

   Once my dog is certified, can he occasionally visit with my
spouse or other family member instead of myself? 

   Dogs and handlers are evaluated as a team.  If you would like your spouse or friend to fill in for you occasionally, that person should also take the class and then take the evaluation with your dog.  Additional teams are certified at $35.00 extra per team.  

    What benefits do I receive from becoming a member of an
organization like the Carolina Canines for Therapy? 

     You will  receive an identification card and your dog will receive a CarolinaCanines for Therapy vest to wear.  You will also receive supplemental liability insurance, as well as help and support, should an incident occur.   You will be invited to join a local therapy dog chapter so that you have people to fill in for you when you are unable to visit, or someone to talk to about a particular visit or concern.  More than anything else, being a member of an accredited organization assures all volunteers that therapy dog programs will continue to be allowed and supported in the local area. Realizing this, an increasing number of facilities are starting to require certification for dogs and handlers. 

   What is the difference between therapy organizations and
why do you offer the Carolina Canines for Therapy evaluation?

     Most certifying therapy organizations do not require that the handler and
dog take a preparation class.  Carolina Canines for Therapy  feels the
preparation class is very important for the first-time around handler.   Carolina Canines for Therapy values its volunteers and provides a complete and user-friendly program.  Certification with the Carolina Canines for Therapy  program allows you to visit as a part of a therapy program (working with an Occupational or Physical Therapist) as well as for just simple companionship. Consequently, the Carolina Canines for Therapy  screening contains more elements and certification is given in "skill levels" so that teams are matched to therapy environments properly.   Also, the Carolina Canines for Therapy  program requires a team to be re-tested every two years to assure that the team's skills are still at the same level.  Since dogs can change behaviorally over the course of time, becoming more resilient or less tolerant, this re-screening has proven itself to be a valuable tool.  We feel that the Carolina Caninesfor Therapy evaluation is the most accurate test available to handlers. 

 What if I have a Therapy cat or other domestic animal?

   Carolina Canines for Therapy  is a dog-centered program, but will
grandfather in existing teams into its program by allowing such teams to do a re-assessment.  Only dogs will be considered for new registrations.