As animal lovers, we often marvel at the unique ways our furry companions bring joy, comfort, and connection to our lives. If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog could share this gift with others as a therapy dog, you’re not alone. [Read related: What’s the Difference? Service Animals, Therapy Animals, and Emotional Support Animals.]

Gabriel’s Angels provides invaluable support to kids and teens in schools, shelters, behavioral health facilities, and beyond, thanks to the incredible therapy dogs belonging to our volunteers. But how do you know if your dog has what it takes to excel in this special role? 

Any breed of dog can make a good therapy dog as long as they have a few key qualities: 

1. A Friendly and Calm Demeanor

Therapy dogs must be sociable and enjoy interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds. A calm demeanor is essential for handling the unpredictable situations that can arise in settings like schools, transitional housing, and behavioral health facilities. If your dog is happy to greet new people and stay relaxed in unfamiliar environments, they may be perfect for therapy work! 

2. Good Manners and Basic Obedience 

Your dog should be well-trained, responding reliably to basic commands such as “sit” and able to walk politely on a leash. Therapy dogs should also refrain from jumping up on people or licking them. If your dog’s manners need a little fine-tuning, taking basic obedience or therapy dog prep classes could help prepare them for the role. Advanced tricks or tasks are not required (although they can be a fun outlet for high-energy dogs!).

3. Confidence and Adaptability 

Therapy work often takes dogs into bustling or unusual environments, such as classrooms full of energetic children. While some visits like those for our ABC Program are quieter and calmer in nature, the settings themselves can be filled with unpredictable distractions. Dogs that adapt well to new surroundings, aren’t frightened or overly stressed by sudden noises or movements, and are quick to recover when they do get startled are more likely to thrive as therapy dogs and fully enjoy their work.

4. Affectionate Without Being Overbearing 

Therapy dogs should seek out attention and interactions from unfamiliar people, not just from their owners. We want them to enjoy being petted and cuddled, but they also need to respect personal boundaries. As mentioned above, therapy dogs are not allowed to jump up on people or lick them. Some people may also be nervous or unsure around dogs, and a good therapy dog can gauge when to approach gently or hang back. We’ve even seen occasions where the loving and respectful demeaners of our therapy dogs have helped young children overcome their fear of dogs, thanks to the calm energy around the interactions and ability to take things slowly. 

5. Healthy and Well-Groomed 

A therapy dog’s health and hygiene are crucial for the safety and comfort of the people they visit. Regular veterinary check-ups, up-to-date vaccinations, and consistent grooming ensure your dog is ready to work in various environments. This also helps stay ahead of any conditions that could cause your dog discomfort or distress that would impact their enjoyment of their work. 

Why It’s Worth It 

Becoming a therapy dog team is a rewarding way to give back to your community while strengthening the bond with your pet. You’ll not only help bring comfort and healing to others but also witness the unique power of the human-animal connection firsthand. 

At Gabriel’s Angels, we’ve seen countless lives transformed by the gentle presence of therapy dogs. If you think your dog could be a good fit, we encourage you to explore this incredible opportunity to spread love and compassion.  

Ready to learn more about getting started? Sign up for a virtual volunteer info session!

On top of already having a great temperament, the dogs you see in our pet therapy programs go through a lot of training and testing to earn their Therapy Dog Registration through nationally recognized certifiers. [Read related: What’s the Difference? Service Animals, Therapy Animals, and Emotional Support Animals.] Their handlers also train and test along with them, constantly watching and advocating for both the children and dogs during visits to make sure everyone is having a good time.

It’s important to remember that some of the things our Registered Therapy Dogs might not think twice about – like getting hugs – can be very uncomfortable or scary for other dogs! As an organization that provides pet therapy to children, we wanted to share a few quick tips to keep in mind when children are interacting with dogs:

Tip #1: Request permission

Instruct children to always request permission of an owner before petting a dog. All dogs (even Registered Therapy Dogs!) have preferred ways of being greeted and pet, and some dogs – no matter how cute! – are not safe to pet. 

Tip #2: Supervision is Key

Always supervise interactions between dogs and children, even if it’s a family pet that’s known to be friendly. Being present allows you to intervene quickly if needed and potentially stop an accident before it even happens. Even friendly family dogs can have days where they are overwhelmed by stimuli in their environment, and some dogs become more easily overwhelmed as they age. An overwhelmed dog can become a stressed & defensive dog. 

Tip #3: Proper Introductions

When introducing a new dog to a child, do it gradually and in a controlled environment. Allow the dog to approach at their own pace, and always supervise the interaction closely and be ready to intervene if either the dog or the child becomes uncomfortable.

Tip #4: Learn Dog Body Language

Common signs of stress or discomfort in dogs, like growling, bared teeth, or tightly tucked tail are usually well-known, but there are also more subtle indicators such as walking away to avoid interaction, “whale eyes” (when they widen and show the whites of their eyes), stiffened body, and stress yawning. Teaching kids to recognize these signs can help them know when to give a dog space.

Tip #5: Establish Boundaries

Teach children to respect a dog’s personal space and to understand that dogs, like people, need their own time and space. Encourage children to give dogs space when the dog retreats to their bed or designated areas, especially if the dog is showing signs of wanting to be left alone. This helps prevent situations where a dog might feel cornered or overwhelmed that could lead to potential defensive reactions.

Tip #6: Encourage Empathy and Gentle Interactions

Teach children to interact with dogs gently, avoiding rough play or sudden movements that might startle the dog. Encourage them to pet dogs calmly and not to climb on them or pull on their ears, tails, or fur. 

Whether a Therapy Dog at school or a family pet at home, not only do dogs provide unconditional love, but they also offer a unique way for children to learn important social and emotional skills like respect, empathy, and confidence. When we promote safe interactions between our kids and their furry friends, they benefit from the human-animal bond in positive ways that will remain with them for years to come!

As a pet therapy nonprofit, leading successful interactions between children and dogs is all in a day’s work for the Gabriel’s Angels pack. Browse through our website to learn more about how the human-animal bond can help the children in our community learn, grow, and heal.