Dogs must be at least one year old before they are eligible for testing. If your dog joined your family through a rescue organization, we ask that he or she live with you for at least six months before testing.

This time allows your dog to settle into home life, build trust, and develop the strong handler bond that is so important in therapy work.

Not at all. PAWS welcomes dogs of every breed, mix, age, and background. Some of our most successful therapy dogs have been rescues, mixed breeds, retired show dogs, and beloved family companions.

Therapy work is not about pedigree—it is about temperament, gentleness, and a willingness to connect with people.

Formal obedience training is recommended. Our therapy dog evaluation is not an obedience competition—it is designed to see how your dog responds in the kinds of calm, caring environments where therapy work takes place.

The most important qualities are that your dog is:

• gentle,

• responsive,

• calm,

• comfortable around people,

• and able to look to you for guidance.

Wonderful therapy dogs come from many different training paths.

A therapy dog doesn’t have to perform any tricks or know any special commands such as “fetch.” However, therapy dogs must listen to their handlers.

Therapy dogs need to have a calm and gentle disposition. They must be good around other dogs, calm when strangers pet them all over, not jump on others, walk on a leash without pulling, and not startled by things such as strange noises, smells, and medical equipment.