Our therapy dog classes in Calgary provide an unparalleled training and educational experience for dog owners pursuing therapy dog or service dog certification for their pups. These courses are also ideal for practitioners who are interested in Animal Assisted Therapy. Our head trainer, Cat, has been immersed in the therapy dog and service dog communities since 2013, and she leads this program. Cat, who is passionate about the human-canine bond, serves as an assessor for two of Calgary’s four therapy dog organizations and has extensive knowledge and expertise with working dogs.
The program consists of four levels, with each level progressively building upon the last. The curriculum incorporates a multidisciplinary approach. This ensures that therapy dog teams in training address the “whole dog” in training, which encompasses skill development, emotional processing and regulation, sensory-motor development, relational dynamics, problem-solving, communication and biological factors. Our training methodology integrates cutting-edge strategies derived directly from research.
Join Cat for therapy dog classes in Calgary and experience the ImPAWSible Possible difference.
Therapy Dog Training Overview
Our therapy dog training program is divided into four levels. Puppies aged between 12 and 18 weeks commence with Therapy Tots, while all others begin with Therapy Tails 1 – Foundations (formerly Therapy Dog ABC’s)
Therapy Tots – Pre-Foundations
Therapy Tots offers structured learning and expert guidance for puppies 12 weeks and older, supporting owners pursuing future therapy dog or service dog certification. Housebreaking, crating, jumping, socialization, nipping, exercise, leash training are all covered, along with specialized skills tailored specifically to the needs of therapy dog and service dogs.
Therapy Tails 1 – Foundations
Therapy Tails 1 prepares dogs ages 5 months and up and their owners for the journey ahead. The focus of this class is on strengthening bonds and building foundational manners, obedience and emotional regulation, all with a therapy dog and service dog in training ‘twist’.
Therapy Tails 2 – Working Skills
Therapy Tails 2 takes the building blocks from level 1 and applies them to the development of therapeutic and working dog skills and tasks all while advancing obedience and manners. This program also explores cognitive and social teaching methods. There is a strong emphasis on cultivating trust, communication and leading with love.