The Paws & Think pet therapy evaluation will test you and your dog on the following skills:
- Dog demonstrates safe/controlled greetings with people and other dogs
- Dog is comfortable with stranger’s touch
- Dog walks next to handler on a loose leash (without straining) in highly trafficked areas and areas with distractions (dog must stay beside or slightly behind the handler in all situations)
- Dog demonstrates basic obedience skills (Sit and Down for a minimum of 30 seconds) with distractions
- Dog ignores food on the floor and other objects as directed by the handler
- Dog does not take food offered by a stranger
- Dog demonstrates the Touch skill
- Dog demonstrates restraint while entering and leaving buildings or thresholds
- Handler demonstrates a strong bond with the dog, working together as a team in all of the exercises and handler demonstrates the ability to advocate for the dog