Door County Humane Society Releases Next Dates for Therapy Dog Class Sessions

The Door County Humane Society has just released their dates for the next Therapy Dog Class sessions. This program takes household dogs with basic obedience skills and trains them to provide affection and comfort to people in nursing homes, hospitals, retirement homes, detention centers, schools, hospices, disaster areas and other places where a friendly dog’s presence can help people. The program consists of a three-session class to prepare owners and their canine friends for the Therapy Dog Certification Test. Ron Maloney of Peninsula Dog Training donates his time to provide training for the class, and Carol Beck of Therapy Dog International (TDI) administers the certification testing. Once dog and owner pass their test, dogs must receive a physical exam by a vet, be current on vaccinations and other medical criteria, and apply to TDI for official certification. Once certified, dogs and owners are ready to begin their therapy visits.

Classes will be held at the Door County Humane Society, located at 3475 Park Drive, Sturgeon Bay. The dates for the three training sessions are Oct. 12, 19 & 26 at 6 pm. Admission is $50 for all three sessions. Only 10 dogs are allowed in each class, so early registration is recommended. To register, call Kennel Coordinator Rachel Asher at 920.746.1111.