Therapy Dog Preparation in Detroit, MI

Eight structured lessons to prepare for therapy-dog testing.

If you want your dog to provide comfort and companionship during approved therapy visits, structured preparation can help you and your dog get ready for the responsibilities involved. Therapy dogs are not service animals and do not receive the same public-access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Off Leash K9 Training of Detroit, Michigan, offers an eight-week Therapy Dog Preparation program consisting of eight lessons designed to prepare dogs and owners for therapy-dog testing and certification. After successful completion, the team may be evaluated for certification through Therapy Pets Unlimited.

Why Detroit Trusts Off Leash K9 Training

Our Therapy Dog Preparation Program

The Therapy Dog Preparation program consists of eight lessons delivered over eight weeks. It is designed to prepare dogs and owners for therapy-dog testing and certification, with the possibility of evaluation through Therapy Pets Unlimited following successful completion.

Eight-Week Therapy Dog Preparation Program

The program is intended for owners who want to prepare themselves and their dogs for therapy-dog testing and certification. Because the Detroit website does not publish a complete list of commands or exercises included in the course, owners should confirm the current curriculum during the free phone consultation.

The Detroit website also does not publish an age requirement for beginning the preparation program. Therapy Pets Unlimited has separate eligibility requirements for certification, including minimum ages for the dog and handler. Discuss your dog’s age, current obedience, behavior history, and therapy-work goals with the training team before enrolling.

Therapy Dog Testing Preparation

The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen program covers foundational manners that may be useful for prospective therapy dogs. The AKC notes that CGC is a prerequisite for many therapy-dog certifications, but the Detroit website does not state that CGC is required for this program or evaluation through Therapy Pets Unlimited.

The Therapy Dog Preparation program is designed to prepare dogs and owners for testing and certification. Contact the Detroit training team for the current curriculum and Therapy Pets Unlimited for the evaluation requirements that will apply to your team.

Therapy Pets Unlimited Certification

After successful completion of the Detroit program, the dog and owner may be evaluated for certification through Therapy Pets Unlimited. Completing the eight lessons does not automatically guarantee certification.

Therapy Pets Unlimited maintains separate certification requirements for prospective therapy teams. Current published guidance includes:

Handlers must be at least 18 years old
Pets must be at least one year old
Handlers must have owned their pets for at least six months
Pets must be potty trained
Pets must complete an evaluation
Health documentation is required
Handlers must complete orientation requirements and a background check

These requirements are separate from the Detroit preparation course and may change. Prospective teams should confirm the current criteria directly with Therapy Pets Unlimited before applying.

Why Detroit Chooses Off Leash K9 Training for Therapy Dog Preparation

Off Leash K9 Training of Detroit offers an eight-week program designed to prepare dogs and owners for therapy-dog testing and certification. The published program description does not provide a lesson-by-lesson curriculum, so owners should discuss their dog’s current skills and the program expectations during the free phone consultation.

Eight lessons over eight weeks: The program follows a clearly defined lesson count and timeframe.
Testing and certification preparation: The course is intended to prepare both the dog and owner for the therapy-dog evaluation process.
Evaluation after successful completion: Dogs and owners who successfully complete the program may be evaluated for certification through Therapy Pets Unlimited.
No automatic certification: Enrolling in or completing the preparation program does not guarantee that every dog-handler team will pass its evaluation.

How It Works

Meet Trainers

Meet the Off Leash K9 Detroit Team

Katie Cook, Head Trainer

With Off Leash K9 Training of Detroit since 2018. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University and grew up showing in 4-H. Has personally fostered and adopted out over 80 dogs through local rescues and shelters, and shares her home with a pack of five rescues of her own.

Josh Wilson, Owner

Based in Hampton Roads, VA, Josh has built a multi-location Off Leash K9 Training enterprise across several states since he started training in January 2014. He’s married to Devin, has two children, and shares his home with a Black Lab named Charlotte and a Rottweiler named Rocky.

Tons of 5-Star Reviews

"Great trainers who truly care about your animal like they would their own! Highly recommend."

Brooke G.Verified Facebook Review

"I've witnessed the workings of Off Leash K9 training. It is beyond amazing

Colleen MVerified Facebook Review

"We cannot wait to sign up for four more lessons so that he can be therapy dog certified next year!"

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the eight-week Therapy Dog Preparation program include?

The program consists of eight lessons delivered over eight weeks. It is designed to prepare the dog and owner for therapy-dog testing and certification. The website does not publish a complete list of commands or lesson exercises, so confirm the current curriculum during the free phone consultation.

Is Canine Good Citizen certification required?

The AKC states that Canine Good Citizen certification is a prerequisite for many therapy-dog organizations. However, the Detroit website does not identify CGC certification as a requirement for enrolling in its Therapy Dog Preparation program or for Therapy Pets Unlimited evaluation. Confirm the current requirements before enrolling.

What kind of positive impact can a therapy dog have?

Therapy dogs may provide comfort and companionship during approved visits in settings such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, and community organizations. Individual responses vary, and therapy-dog visits should not be presented as guaranteed medical or psychological treatment.

Does completing the program guarantee certification?

No. The eight-lesson Therapy Dog Preparation program is designed to prepare the dog and owner for testing and certification. After successful completion, the team may be evaluated through Therapy Pets Unlimited, but certification depends on meeting the organization’s requirements and passing its evaluation.

Get Started with Therapy Dog Preparation

Start Your Dog’s Transformation Today!

If you are ready to explore therapy-dog preparation, begin with a free phone consultation. The team can explain the eight-week program, discuss your dog’s current readiness, and outline the potential evaluation pathway through Therapy Pets Unlimited. Completing the program does not automatically guarantee certification.

About Off Leash K9 Training

Dog Trainers Who Are Recognized Around The World!

Nick White is the Owner and Founder of Off Leash K9 Training. Nick is a former US Marine and former US Secret Service. He currently has over 130+ dog training locations throughout the United States.

Nick is globally recognized as being one of the top dog trainers in the world. He has 2 official world records in off leash obedience, named on Wikipedia as one of the top 20 dog trainers in the world, recently named top 10 trainer in the world by bestdogtrainers.org, has been featured in many magazines and shows, and he is regularly requested by the top celebrities and athletes! He has been called upon by people such as actor Ryan Reynolds, WWE’s John Cena, MLB All Star Max Scherzer, UFC World Champion Jon “Bones” Jones, and many more!

You can visit our YouTube Channel and watch over 1500+ before/after videos of Nick and his team’s work! Off Leash K9 Training has more documented videos than any dog training business in the entire world!