Therapy And Service K-9s ~ T.A.S.K

The Program

Therapy and Service Dogs:

  Questions & Answers

Therapy Dog Snow - Congratulations Bob!

TASK-9 evolved first as a counseling service (Therapy International, Inc.) and then recognized the asset that therapy dogs and psychiatric service dogs could be to many people.  It followed that we could also help other people, such as those with physical disabilities and the elderly.  T.A.S.K-9 was formed to train pet dogs, therapy dogs and service dogs as well as provide psychological services to people with disabilities. 

Therapy Dogs are often part of a specific counseling process.  Therapy dogs do not go home with the client, but stay with their handler as their partner.  Therapy dogs are often found in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.

Service dogs live with their handler, usually someone with a disability, because they aid them in everyday functioning.  TASK-9 helps train handles and their dogs to get to this point of expertise. 

  Therapy Dogs

Having your dog certified/registered as a Therapy Dog can be a wonderful addition to your life, as well as your dog’s.  Therapy dogs often visit places including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, hospice, and/or help out in crisis situations, depending on your individual interest.  The physical and emotional benefits of these dogs has been well documented.  (see Delta Society)  If your dog is already a Canine Good Citizen, he/she is probably already a good candidate for a Therapy Dog. 

Therapy Dogs are chosen first for their amiable temperament and are then highly trained.  They are tested and certified for suitability for therapy work.  First they have to pass the AKC Good Citizen test and then the added requirements for therapy dogs.  Once your dog passes the therapy dog test, he/she is then registered and officially a therapy dog.

Since therapy dogs (and their handlers) are usually found in hospitals, assisted care facilities, group homes, schools and other institutions, the dogs must be well mannered and able to deal easily with loud sounds, strange sights, and be calm in crisis situations.  To patients, they are a welcome change from hospital routine, from infirmity, and loneliness or depression. 

Therapy dogs make it easier for patients to talk, to remember past experiences and share common ties.  Physically, the dog encourages patients to stretch, move and relate to others.  Therapy dogs don't care about your age, what sneakers you wear or how you look.  Their care is unconditional.  All of this makes a positive and welcome difference in the quality of life for patients, their health and their well-being.

Therapy Dogs, because of their rigorous training and good temperament often work with children who have problems with reading or communication.  We have also seen the psychological benefits that therapy dogs bring to those who have under gone trauma, victims of crime, people with anxiety, depression, adjustment and emotional difficulties. T.A.S.K.-9 was formed with this purpose in mind.

Relaxing after a long day on July 4th

Therapy Dogs are calm mannered and highly trained.  Research reports therapy dogs can:

- Reduce stress and blood pressure

- Ease depression

- Promote well being, especially in children, the elderly & the hospitalized

- Help people who have suffered from abuse talk & relate to others.

- Provide unconditional affection for those who lack it (ie spouse abuse, grief)

- Improve focus; i.e. people with autism, Alzheimer or the clinically depressed

- Stimulate interaction with those who have difficulty communicating
- Stimulate memory functions i.e. traumatic memory loss, stroke or Alzheimer

- Encourage and aid the learning disabled

- Ease the effects of trauma; i.e. accidents, PTSD, natural disasters

(remember therapy dogs of 9/11)

The tasks that a service dog can do are extensive.  Please call or write for an initial meeting to discuss client needs and we will give you a more individual assessment. 

Who We Help

Service Dogs can help adults, the elderly, teens and children with disabilities including, but not limited to…

• Physical disabilities
• Assistance for the elderly
• Major depression
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Anxiety Disorder & Panic Disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome
• Stress related disorders
• Traumatic brain injury
• Learning disorders (therapy dogs only)

What are Service Dogs Trained to do?

A few of the many tasks that Service Dogs are trained to do for their partners are listed below...

• Remind handler to take medication at a specific time
• Open door, turn on the light and search the room for intruders
• pick up objects dropped on the floor
• carry objects from one place, or person, to another
• Accompany handler outside the home
• Stay with handler during acute emotional distress
• Interrupt checking and other repetitive behaviors, as seen on OCD
• Alert to mania, panic attacks and dissociative episodes or flashbacks
• Assist handler in discerning reality from auditory or visual hallucinations
• Mediate hyper vigilance, assist with threat assessment, as often seen in PTSD
• Provide a constant, grounding presence
• Be trustworthy companion when handler is negotiating stress, anxiety or paranoia
• Aid in the special needs of each individual client

• Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities*
• Has a record of an impairment* or
• Is regarded as having such an impairment *

• The client, or a permanent member of the client's home, be able to care for the dog's needs
• The dog be suited to the client's environment (i.e. there be enough space for exercise, and time for socialization). 

Call Valerie at (407) 931-3199 or write Val@task-9.com. We will arrange an initial meeting to assess your individual needs and explain the process.  We ask for the client’s dedication in time, learning and integrity on behalf of their dog and T.A.S.K.