Professional Therapy Dog Team training and Accreditation

Blended learning Course

Duration: 6 months | Format: 7 Units (Online + In-Person)

Course Fees:

Online Learning & Materials: $1,300 + GST

Assessment & Certification (2-Day Face-to-Face): $699 + GST

Total: $1,999 + GST

Certification Locations:

Tamworth or Castle Hill, NSW

Course Overview

This comprehensive Professional Therapy Dog Team Course is designed for professionals such as school teachers, social workers, psychologists, counsellors, doctors, nurses, and others who wish to train and work alongside their own dog as a certified Canine Assisted Therapy team.

Delivered in a blended format (online and in-person), this 6-month course covers 7 detailed units and culminates in a 2-day face-to-face assessment and certification. Dogs may begin training from 4 months of age, with teams eligible for certification once the dog reaches 12 months.

How to Apply

Click the Apply Now button.
Complete the enrolment form at the bottom of the page.
Email your completed form to Karen at: info@therapydogsnsw.com.au

After you make your initial payment, you’ll be set up with access to our online learning platform, Moodle. Training begins then!

Meet Your Course Facilitator

Karen is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker, NDTF Certified Dog Trainer, and qualified Trainer and Assessor. She brings years of practical experience in trauma-focused therapy, hospital-based programs, and school outreach using Canine Assisted Therapy. This course is grounded in her professional expertise, academic research, and real-world experience working with therapy dogs in various settings.

Our course aligns with Animal Therapies Ltd’s Australian Code of Conduct for the Animal-Assisted Services Sector.

What You’ll Learn

Bonding & Behaviour Shaping: Build trust with your dog, understand canine body language, and manage stress (for both dog and handler).
Integrating Your Dog Into Practice: Practical strategies for safely incorporating your dog into therapeutic settings.
Clinical Role Plays: Simulated client scenarios to build confidence and refine your therapy skills.
And much more...

Assessment & Certification

Assessment: Ongoing during the course and at the final 2-day in-person event.
Certification: Issued upon successful completion; valid for 1 year.
Re-Assessment: Annual re-certification is required to uphold best practice standards.
Support: We offer a full year of post-certification support via phone, email, or Zoom.

Professional Development & Supervision

We strongly encourage participation in ongoing professional development through our courses or peer supervision groups. Annual reassessment not only ensures high standards but also checks in on the wellbeing of your dog and the overall functioning of your therapy team.

Certification Standards & Conditions

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards for Canine Assisted Therapy. We reserve the right to withhold certification if a team does not meet our criteria. However, we are here to support you through the process and offer additional guidance or reassessment opportunities when appropriate.

Reasons a team may not be certified include:

Rough or unsuitable handling
Lack of handler confidence
Dog shows fear, aggression, or disinterest in humans
Any biting incident during assessment

Note: No refunds are issued for teams who do not pass. Non-certification is rare and only occurs in the interest of safety for all parties involved.