Therapy Dogs provide a special kind of emotional support for those that are sick, elderly, or having problems with things such as learning how to read. The 4-H Paws N Pals
Therapy Dog troop are all dog and handler teams that have passed the Therapy Dogs International (TDI) test to work in situations as a therapy dog. Please fill out our
Schedule Us form if you have a need for our free services.
In Therapy Dog work 4-H'ers use their HEADS for listening, their HEARTS for caring, their HANDS for
sharing their dogs, and their HEALTH for better living.
Therapy Dogs provide a very special service to people in need of emotional support. A visit from a therapy dog can help promote healing and improve the day of a person who is sick
or having problems. Therapy dogs bring excitement and interaction to those that may need a smile or a bit of kindness. It has been clinically proven that through interaction with a
dog, patient's blood pressure is lowered, depression is eased and stress is reduced.
All dogs in our 4-H Paws N Pals Therapy Dog program must pass the Canine Good Citizen test, a temperment test, and the Therapy Dogs International (TDI) test. TDI also requires a
health examination be performed yearly by a veterinarian. Paws N Pals will be offering Therapy Dog classes at various times throughout the year to help members and the general
public get prepared for the tests. Visit our Events page to find out when the next scheduled therapy dog class will begin. You
do not have to be a member of the 4-H Paws N Pals Club to participate in one of our class or seminar events, although special pricing is available for members and adult volunteers.
Our Therapy Dogs participate in the Tail Waggin Tutors program where children who are having difficulty learning how to read can sit down with a therapy dog and read a book out loud.
It develops self-confidence in a non-judgmental environment.
If your institution or group would like to utilize our therapy dogs for a visit, please fill out a Schedule Us form.
Watch how Westminster Show Dog winners spend their time volunteering as therapy dogs.
Remember, therapy dogs come in all sizes, shapes, and breeds. You don't need to be a show dog to be a therapy dog. You don't need to be a pure bred. You can be a mutt, as long as
you have a good heart, good temperment and a love of people.
