What is a therapy dog, you ask? I'm glad you did. A therapy dog is a dog that gets special training to learn how to offer affection and comfort. Therapy dogs work in many different settings such as in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, disaster areas, and in private psychotherapy sessions. There are even programs in which therapy dogs help people with learning disorders.

There isn't any particular size or breed of dog that makes one perfect for the job. Rather, the most important characteristic is temperament. A dog that excels at this job is patient, friendly, confident, at ease in all situations, and gentle. Therapy dogs enjoy human contact, are very content to be petted and handled. They are even okay with occasional clumsy handling.

The primary job that I am training for is allowing unfamiliar people make physical contact with me and to enjoy that contact. I will get to be pet and play all day long! What dog wouldn't like that? Some children will enjoy hugging me. Adults might just like me curled up next to them. The unconditional love I can offer people helps them to feel safe, open up and talk to their psychologist, and discover all sorts of new things.

I'm learning tricks and structured games that might add to some people's experience. I'm also learning to curl up in my bed and take a nap when people don't need me.