28/11/2024
The difference between assistance and therapy dogs:
To make this as clear as possible I'll provide a few succinct differences and then I'll show the difference with an example.
1) Therapy dogs have the job to bring joy and love to everyone, not just one person.
2) Assistance dogs have the job to provide a medical function for one person.
3) Therapy dogs can accompany anyone, and multiple people.
4) Assistance dogs work for their one person, and that one person has a diagnosed condition.
5) Therapy dogs require prior permission to access a public place ie work site, school, restaurant etc.
6) Assistance dogs do not require prior permission as they are covered federally to have permission to enter all facilities EVEN if that facility/event has a no dogs allowed caveat.
7) Therapy dogs are not considered a necessity accoridng to the law.
8) Assistance dogs are considered a necessity for their person to access the community.
9) Assistance dogs require their owner to have a diagnosed medical condition, and they need to be providing functions in accordance with that condition.
10) In Victoria, Assistance dogs cannot be solely for the function of emotional support. They need to provide a role - ie deep pressure for anxiety, retrieving items for a mobility impairment, creating space for a person with PTSD, alert barking for assistance etc.
11) Therapy dogs can (and often are) primarily used for emotional support.
And now for my example of the difference between assistance and therapy dogs:
My dog Pauley is a brilliant therapy dog. He will go into a room and make everyone feel a million dollars. He makes sure he says hi to everyone; stays long enough to make each person feel they're his favourite; and roams the room like the social addict he is.
Again, he is a brilliant therapy dog.
He would, however, be a useless assistance dog.
Why? Because while he's roaming the room making everyone feel loved, I could be in the corner having a diabetic episode and he wouldn't have the faintest idea. I'd die, while he's off getting pats. Oh, he will still listen to me if I ask him to do something- he doesn't sacrifice obedience and manners for public affection- but if I'm not asking him to focus on me, then I'm invisible.
And really, that's what the best therapy dogs should do in order to be good at their role. They're not clinging to you, wanting your pats and love over the people they're there to meet. They're focussed on the people and making them feel loved. Yes, they love you- and probably 100x more than anyone they're now flirting with BUT everyone who spends time with them comes away and thinks "I think he actually likes me better." This is the beauty and skill of a well trained therapy dog.
An assistance dog cannot do this. They need to be focussed on their owner so they can detect the small signs and meet or even prevent a situation from occurring.
In my work, I train both assistance dogs and therapy dogs. And I often find people confusing the two... or wanting an assistance dog certificate just so they can take their dog with them on holidays. Unfortunately for these people, the legalities around an assistance dog is much deeper and there are many more hoops you need to jump through than just wanting to have your dog with you in a national park. :) I hope this post helps clarify the difference between assistance dogs and therapy dogs, and maybe highlights the important role of both. :)
My next availiable courses for 2025 are:
January 6-9, Therapy dog, 9am-4pm, $2000
March 16, 23 and 30, Obedience, 9am-12pm, $660
March 17-20 Assistance Dog Boot Camp, $2,500*
April 14-17, Therapy dog, 9am-4pm, $2000
May 11, 18 and 25, Obedience, 9am-12pm, $660
July 7-10, Therapy dog, 9am-4pm, $2000
Puppy School - every Sunday, $190 (for 4 sessions)
Agility Training - every Sunday, $20
*other options exist for me to help train your assistance dog, these start from as low as $100.
Please reach out for more information or to book a place in any of my courses.
