Certified Therapy Dogs

Adolescent Dogs
Certified Therapy Dogs

A therapy dog is a calm, friendly, and well-trained companion who, alongside their handler, visits places like care homes, hospitals, and schools to bring comfort, companionship, and joy.

Unlike assistance dogs, therapy dogs support many people rather than just one individual, creating positive moments through gentle, controlled interactions.

Through our programme, you can train your own pet dog to meet our standards and become a Certified Therapy Dog.

Setting the Standard for Therapy Dogs.

At Adolescent Dogs, we know that therapy dogs can transform lives — bringing comfort, connection, and joy to the people who need it most.

Our Certified Therapy Dog Programme is built to meet and exceed the standards expected by professional services, care providers, and educational settings.

With clear, measurable criteria for temperament, obedience, and public visiting readiness, every dog we certify is thoroughly assessed to ensure they are calm, reliable, and an exemplary ambassador in the community.

Organisations can be confident that our certification reflects genuine quality, safeguarding, and professionalism.

🌟 What the Programme Includes

Official Adolescent Dogs Certified Therapy Dog ID Card
Online assessments for obedience, local assessments for temperament
Listing as a Certified Therapy Dog within our programme records
Access to exclusive resources to support you in your therapy work

For those wanting extra preparation, our Online Academy (extra cost) offers:

Over 450 step-by-step training videos designed to guide you to pass the obedience award
Professional trainer support, 7 days a week
Weekly Live Q&A with the head trainer
Advice on building calmness, confidence, and focus
Strategies for specific therapy visit scenarios
Take part in monthly training challenges

Cost

Membership costs £99 per year

Members of the Online Academy or Online Assistance Dog Programme can setup membership at a discounted rate of £79 per year

🐶 Temperament Assessment

Every therapy dog must pass an annual temperament assessment to confirm they are friendly, relaxed, and adaptable in different environments.

Can be carried out by any qualified local force-free trainer using our official assessment sheet
Must be repeated yearly to maintain certification
Fee is set by your local trainer and paid directly to them
Earliest age to take the assessment is 9 months

🎓 Obedience Award

Certified therapy dogs must also pass our Therapy Dog Obedience Award, ensuring they meet the highest behavioural standards. This includes:

Loose lead walking without pulling
Sit, down, and stay on cue
Reliable recall in low to moderate distractions
Calm, polite greetings with people and other dogs
Gentle treat-taking
Settling quietly during visits

✅ Membership Requirements

To join the Adolescent Dogs Certified Therapy Dog Programme, dogs must:

Be at least 9 months old
Pass both the temperament and obedience assessments
Renew temperament assessment yearly
Hold public liability insurance for their dog
Have a valid enhanced DBS check

💖 Why Choose Adolescent Dogs?

With over 19 years of professional dog training expertise, we understand the importance of high standards in therapy dog work.

Our programme is:

Professional – Certification backed by our trusted training reputation
Accessible – Temperament tests can be completed locally
Comprehensive – Includes both temperament and obedience requirements
Supportive – Optional online training to help you succeed

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Adolescent Dogs Certified Therapy Dog Programme?

Our programme recognises and certifies dogs who meet high standards for temperament and obedience, enabling them to safely and effectively volunteer in the community — in care homes, hospitals, schools, and more.

2. How much does it cost to join?

Annual membership is £99, or £79 for current online academy members, which includes online assessments, certification, and your official ID card. The temperament assessment is charged separately by your chosen local trainer.

3. What’s the difference between the temperament assessment and the obedience award?

Temperament assessment: Checks your dog is friendly, calm, and comfortable in different environments.
Obedience award: Confirms your dog can perform all expected behaviours for therapy visits, such as walking calmly, settling, and greeting politely.

4. Who can carry out the temperament assessment?

Any qualified local force-free dog trainer can complete the temperament assessment using our official assessment sheet.

5. How often do I need to be assessed?

Temperament assessment – Every year
Obedience award – One-off, unless your dog’s behaviour changes significantly and reassessment is required

6. Do you provide training to help my dog pass the assessments?

Yes! You can join our Online Academy (additional cost) for access to over 450 training videos, expert trainer support, and tailored advice to prepare for your assessments.

7. What are the membership requirements?

You must:

Pass the temperament assessment and obedience award
Hold public liability insurance for your dog
Have a valid enhanced DBS check

8. Is there a minimum age for dogs to join?

Yes, dogs must be at least 9 months old and have lived with you for a minimum of 6 months before their first assessment.

9. Can any breed or size of dog join?

Absolutely! We welcome all breeds and sizes, provided they meet the required temperament and obedience standards.

10. Will my dog be insured through the programme?

No — members must arrange their own public liability insurance to cover their therapy visits.

11. Where can I volunteer with my certified therapy dog?

Typical placements include care homes, hospitals, schools, libraries, and community events. You are responsible for arranging your own visits, but we can provide guidance and tips.

12. Is the certification recognised nationally?

Yes — while we are an independent programme, our standards match or exceed those of other well-known UK therapy dog schemes, making our certification widely respected.

13: Will I get an organisation vest?

You can purchase a vest from our trusted supplier after your dog has passed their obedience and temperament assessments. Your dog can wear this vest and volunteer as a therapy dog as long as your membership is active.

Complete the registration form here

Then make payment here. Your welcome pack will arrive by email within 24 hours

Annual membership for non members: £99

Annual membership for academy members: £79

Want to become an academy member?

Adolescent Dogs Certified Therapy Dogs