Welcome to Therapy Dogs NSW, where we train your furry best friend!

Our Professional Therapy Dog Team course is created for Social Workers, Psychologists, Counsellors, Doctors and other professionals who would like to train and work with their dogs and certify as a  Canine Assisted Therapy team supporting their clients.  This is a 4-day face-to-face course based in Tamworth NSW. 

complete the enrolment form and email it to Karen at: info@therapydogsnsw.com.au

About the Trainer:  Karen is a certified Dog Trainer and Adult Trainer Assessor and has tailored this course using her knowledge of dog training and experience as a Canine Assisted Accredited Mental Health Social Worker working in private practice, specialising in supporting veterans and sexual assault and other trauma survivors, as well as research and studies.  

Karen has also worked with her dogs in a hospital setting during her work at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital where she introduced a therapy dog program across the hospital, supporting staff and patients. Karen also provided outreach therapy services to local schools in Tamworth NSW.  

Our courses are Mapped to Animal Therapies Limited's “Australian Code of Conduct for the Animal-Assisted Services Sector”.

Karen also provides Canine Assisted Supervision.

In this course, you will learn the following:

1. Behaviour shaping including behaviour shaping, including creating a bond with your dog is key to a successful therapy dog team, consent in therapy dog work, understanding dog body language, and understanding and responding to stress in your dog and yourself.

2. How to safely and successfully integrate your dog into your practice, 

3. Clinical role plays, 

4. We can assist you in writing a code of conduct and policy to support you as a team, 

5. Risk assessments and much more. 

Course fee:  $2300 + GST - includes full certification. for successful therapy dog teams. 

Payment plan options are available.

Assessment, Graduation and Re-Assessment 

Human-canine teams will be assessed throughout the course, and those who are successful in completing the course will receive a certificate in Canine Assisted Therapy Services, valid for one year. Teams must be re-assessed yearly as part of an Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)  best practice professional development plan, we also encourage you to participate in our professional development program or join an existing AAT peer supervision group to provide support and professional development with other AAT practitioners. Yearly re-assessment also allows us to monitor how your canine co-therapist is coping and help you with any issues that have come up during the previous 12 months. We will also be facilitating professional development AAT courses throughout the year, for those that cannot regularly attend professional supervision. 

12 months Support 

Free consultation through your first year of certification -  email or phone us if you are experiencing any difficulties with your co-therapist and we will guide Zoom or Skype.    

***PLEASE NOTE:  We reserve the right not to pass any team that does not meet our high standard of certification.  We will work with you throughout the week to ensure your best chances of achieving certification. 

Reasons for non-certification:   

1.  Rough Handling  
2. Lack of confidence in handling  
3. Dog expresses fear, anxiety, aggression or disinterest in people
4. A dog bite during the assessment  

 For those teams that do not pass - dependent on the reasons (dog temperament, team dynamics), where possible will provide long-distance guidance and opportunity for re-assessment once you have completed extra training.  No refunds will be provided for teams that do not pass the certification.  We only do this in extreme cases for the safety of your dog, your clients, yourself and the reputation of Animal Assisted Therapy.