Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others

Kathy Diamond-Davis knows dogs (and their handlers) like no other author I have ever read. This book carefully and clearly covers topics from choosing an appropriate dog for therapy work, through socializing the dog and building your relationship with the dog, to finding an appropriate organization to work with and doing therapy dog visits. She emphasizes positive training that builds the dog/human bond and produces a happy, friendly dog. Realistically, she emphasizes that not all dogs (and not all handlers) are suited for therapy work.I am currently working with my second therapy dog, who is registered with Therapy Dogs Inc. and who visits hospice patients. The ideas in Kathy's book continue to make us a better team.

This book is a must for those thinking of getting into Therapy Dog work & for those of us already there! Loaded with great information & good ideas!!

I have well-behaved and well-socialized dogs, and I wanted to share them with others--How to begin in Therapy work and do it well? This book answered my questions, resolved my concerns, and helped me get started. The author has written a good book, her caring shows through in each chapter. She covers well the basics (altho it's a shame she had to spend time on those), she outlines well the situations you may encounter with your dog in therapy work, and her training methods are gentle and effective. To do something well isn't easy, and you must have more than 'good intentions'. Kathy details what your main focus must be, as well as helping you decide how you and your dog can fit in and be effective. Whether you are trying to decide if the dog you have now will do, or if you are considering another dog to get, if it's about Therapy work--it's in there.To know something, to do it well, and to be able to share with others--Kathy Diamond Davis' book makes it obvious, it's a "You Can Do It Too!!" book.

I have been doing therapy dog work for about a year now and I have found Kathy Diamond Davis' book to be a wonderful "how to" book. Her insights and experiences help newcomers understand the therapy dog work and feel more confident in what we do. I especially like the way she explained the connection between a person and their dog. She explained how important voice control and control of your own emotions as a handler, make a huge impact on how people respond to you and your dog. Their are wonderful training tips also.

I only wish I would have read this book before now! Ms Davis shares her wealth of experience and knowledge about therapy dog work with her own three therapy dogs. Her gentle training techniques are explained in detail with many excellent photographs to illustrate her point, as well as, the dog psychology that she works on to produce effective therapy dogs who enjoy reaching out to heal and bring joy to children, nursing home residents and the ill. Both beginners and those with many years of experience will find much to learn and benefit from in this book. Key sections cover helping you decide if you and your dog are suited to therapy work, developing your dog's social skills with people, tips for managing the visits, specific and detailed recommended training for therapy dogs as contrasted with competition obedience dogs, your responsibilities as the handler, and preventing potential injury to your dog and the people you visit. Ms Davis is flexible and non-dogmatic throughout the book. Interesting discussions are developed on many issues such as whether or not to use treats, tricks, demonstrations, go in groups or individually and then whichever you choose - how to do either option with the best results. You will enjoy reading this book so much you may, like this reviewer, regret it's ever ending.