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COMMUNITY THERAPY DOGS ABOUT OUR DOGS

ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ..................................................... 3 1. Dogs in all sizes and breeds .................... 4 3. Supporting you ......................................... 8 4. Contact us ................................................ 8

Community Therapy Dogs About Our Dogs INTRODUCTION WE PROVIDE TRAINED PET THERAPY TEAMS We provide trained Pet Therapy Teams, humans and their well-mannered dogs, to provide emotional and physical benefits to many people in the community. Providing service delivery of dog assisted activities, to over 25,000 people a year. Our pet therapy dog teams provide animal services to 90 + facilities, spanning all age groups, including persons with social, mental, emotional, legal, and physical vulnerabilities. Teams provide individual and group visitation and depending on the program, may work with professionals to assist persons in meeting specific therapy goals. The dog's skills are often matched to the type of facility and the needs of the client/patient. The variety of facilities showcase the broad skill range of the Community Pet Therapy Dog Program. (aged care, courts, disability services, hospitals, mental health, schools, universities, libraries, corporate business, community and events.) We love to provide service delivery, joint ventures and partner with Individuals, Groups, SA Service providers and support Community Events. Every team is credentialed • passing through standardised assessment • classroom training • hands-on training • mentorship • industry placement Dog is • veterinarian health screened • temperament and skills tested • vaccinated annually Every certified team • has a police clearance • covered by our $20 million insurance coverage policy

Community Therapy Dogs About Our Dogs 1. DOGS IN ALL SIZES AND BREEDS Our dogs come in all sizes and breeds, with exceptional temperaments, (friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations). Passionate Individuals The Therapeutic Dog Services organisation spans a network of passionate individuals incorporating dogs into Animal Assisted Activities, community visiting programs. Every team is credentialed, passing through standardised assessment, classroom training, hands-on training, mentor ship, volunteer industry placement and professional development. Community Pet Therapy Dogs Therapeutic Dog Services sends specially trained humans, with their well-mannered dogs to provide emotional and physical benefits to many people in the community. Through the Community Pet Therapy Program, the volunteers and their dogs bring unconditional love to clients/patients in various industry facilities throughout our community. Each facility addresses the needs of a different section of the community. The dog's skills are often matched to the type of facility and the needs of the client/patient. The variety of facilities showcase the broad skill range of the Community Pet Therapy Program. The volunteers and their dogs bring unconditional love to clients/patients in various health care facilities throughout our community.

Community Therapy Dogs About Our Dogs Each facility addresses the needs of a different section of the community. The dog's skills are often matched to the type of facility and the needs of the client/patient. Overview • 87 Dog and Handler therapy team members on our registry • Dog & Handler teams have various skill sets: Levels: Entry level, Therapy Dog Novice, Therapy Dog, Therapy Dog Advanced. • Offering a mobile dog therapy program to a variety of populations including seniors, at risk youth and individuals who are unable to venture out into the community. • Our teams travel to various locations in Adelaide, South Australia where clients participate in dog activities tailored to their physical and psychological capabilities. • 87 pet therapy teams providing animal services to 67 partner facilities spanning all age groups including persons with social, mental, emotional, legal, and physical vulnerabilities. • Teams provide individual and group visitation and depending on the program, may work with professionals to assist persons in meeting specific therapy goals. Recognising our Community Pet Therapy Teams Recognising dogs and their owners who wish to give their time to help people through community volunteering work. Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated awards official titles to dogs and their handlers who have worked to improve the lives of the people they have visited. • Therapy Dog titles can be earned by dog and handler teams who have been credentialed by qualified therapy dog organisation, Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated, and have performed the required number of visits. •

Community Therapy Dogs About Our Dogs Public Access Rights • Community Pet Therapy animals do not have the same access rights as Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. Community Pet Therapy Dogs are allowed access to public locations by courtesy. Pet Therapy animals cannot travel in the cabin of an airline for free and are not exempt from pet restricted housing. • Our industry partner sites allow community pet therapy dog to accompany handler in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. • Excluded areas: food preparation and restaurant areas, operating rooms, burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment. Appearance • Community therapy dogs will be identified by a Therapeutic Dog Services Inc. bandana, which may sometimes be coloured to indicate the level type. Breeds • Our dogs come in all sizes and breeds, with exceptional temperaments, (friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations). Training and Pet Therapy Certification • are well behaved dogs, everyday pet dogs from our community whom have basic obedience. • Pet Therapy dogs have good social skills and cannot be aggressive to animals or people in any situation. The dog has basic obedience, skills and affinity to strangers. Polite leash skills including going out for a walk and walking through a crowd of people. They show interest in people but cannot jump or nip. All pet therapy dogs respond well to loud noises and people approaching. • owners of dogs have had to initially attend mandatory information sessions, interview process, review of dog to be possibly suitable, then if viewed as a great candidate - attend a dog evaluation day with temperament testing through Therapeutic Dog Services temperament assessor and independent dog behaviourlist/evaluator. • every team is credentialed, passing through standardised assessments, classroom training, hands on training, mentor ship and industry placement.

Community Therapy Dogs About Our Dogs • Required to attend all training sessions held by Therapeutic Dog Services throughout the year, work with a mentor, and on the job, assessments are conducted throughout their working years. • work once a week or once a fortnight for 1 1/2 hours per industry partner visitation, are handled only by their owners, dogs work on their own • required to complete Compulsory and Professional Development training courses. Veterinary Health Clearance • This certificate indicates the dog is healthy to participate as a community pet therapy animal and is not showing signs of a disease that could be passed to other animals or to people. Certain vaccinations must be up to date for certificate to be issued. As part of the exam, veterinarian may check for heartworm disease and prescribe heartworm preventative medication … Certificates can only be completed and signed by an accredited veterinarian." Handled and Temperament Tested • Dogs are handled and temperament tested by veterinarian and animal assisted interventions evaluator, evaluating handling, skills set and temperament. Vaccinated • Up to date with yearly required vaccinations (C5). Certificates can only be completed and signed by an accredited veterinarian." Police Clearances • All human handlers hold a current police clearance certificate and are required to apply for new police clearances after 3 years. Insurance • Covered by Therapeutic Dog Services $20M Comprehensive Insurance, General Liability $20M, and Volunteers Insurance .

Community Therapy Dogs About Our Dogs 2. SUPPORTING YOU For Further information Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated Email: therapydogs@tdsinc.com.au Phone: 0481 293 370 For a complete copy of our Community Therapy Dog Booklet Please complete information request form on website https://www.therapeuticdogservices.org/information-request-form