The First Visit With Your Dog
          Space Coast Therapy Dogs, Inc.

          1. Come early so your dog can settle down. It’s normal for a new dog to be excited or anxious and not on best behavior. Give yourself space… keep your dog away from the other dogs until he has a chance to see and be seen. Then introduce him to each dog in a controlled manner, one dog at a time. Dogs that work together tend to form a pack and may not initially welcome a new dog.

          2. The Tester/Observer (T/O) will collect and check the dog’s health record before the initial Test is given. If you bring improper equipment or forget the health record, or if your dog is not wearing the county license tag, you and your dog cannot be tested.

          3. You must sign and date a Release of Liability from the T/O, accepting responsibility for your dog’s actions.

          4. A Therapy Dogs Inc. Test will be administered outside of the facility. You will then join the group, enter the facility, and complete the Test and Observation during the visit. Always stay with the T/O. The T/O may be working with more than one dog-handler team, so it’s easier for everyone if you don’t lag behind.

          5. You should quietly guide and correct your dog as needed, but always follow that with praise. Harsh, loud corrections are not permitted. If your dog becomes out of control or tired, please excuse yourself. Depending on the length of your visit to that point, you may not get credit for the visit. Therapy dog work is tiring to the dog, particularly during the first few visits when the dog may not be sure of what is expected.

          6. The T/O will review the results of the initial Test and first Observation with you after the visit. The T/O will also give you a membership application for Therapy Dogs Inc. (TD Inc.). The Test and TD, Inc. application require signatures of the T/O’s. Bring your initial test to every visit throughout the Observation process. If you lose the Test, you must begin the process again.

          What happens after you pass the Test/Observation series?

          You must successfully complete the Test and 3 Observation visits to be eligible to join TD Inc. Mail the test, release form, application, and dues to TD Inc. They will send you a membership card and TD Inc. heart tag, which your dog must wear during all therapy dog visits. At this time, you will be certified by and pay dues to Therapy Dogs Inc., and you will also be eligible to join SCTD. This is a local club with prearranged calendar visits and special events.