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  • Join SCAS todayMembers enjoy a range of benefits including discounts on training and events.
  • AAI programmesAnimals such as dogs, cats and horses are increasingly included in therapeutic programmes for people with diverse needs.
  • Coping with pet lossThe Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS), jointly run by SCAS and The Blue Cross is there to offer support to anyone suffering from the loss of a pet. All calls and emails are confidential and the service is free of charge.

Online Training Support Area

online training support area

Enrolled on a SCAS course or been to one of our workshops/events? If you have been sent a username and password please visit our online training support area.

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Practical Training for Therapy Dogs - Level 1

London: 31st March and 28th April 2012 | Lincoln: Dates TBC

This course is a fun, interactive course aimed at those wishing to take their dogs into a therapy situation or visiting programme. 

The course is made up of two practical training days split 4 weeks apart and some online preparatory theory work designed to help you get the most from the practical sessions. 

Course Level: This course is designed to be at an introductory level and will cover the following aspects:

Course Outline:

Theory elements: (approximately 2 hours preparatory work)

  • The historical development of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) and current programmes
  • Canine Ethology - behaviour and how it relates to work in therapy
  • Temperament and behaviour requirements for therapy dogs
  • Visiting programmes in the UK

Practical elements: (2 days, 9.30am – 4.30pm with breaks)
(to be attended by both handler and dog)

  • Basics on cue and how they relate to therapeutic situations
  • Go to mat and stay there
  • Approach and petting from strangers
  • Don't touch
  • Coping with unusual behaviour and distractions
  • Tug and Play
  • Basic target training
  • Permission to take a treat (gently) 

Upon completion of all three elements (preparatory and 2 practical sessions) you will be awarded a SCAS certificate for use as evidence of attendance. 

Course Location and dates: The practical training elements of the course will take place at:

The Dogs Trust Training Centre at Harefield, Uxbridge, London - 31st March 2012 and 28th April 2012

North of England - TBC

Course Tutor:  Practical training on this course is delivered by Nina Bondarenko, who has been training dogs for specific-purpose working roles for over 30 years. Author and illustrator of the book "Hearts, Minds and Paws", a breeder, judge, trainer, assessor, behavioural consultant and tutor on the SCAS animal-assisted interventions in therapeutic practice course. Nina has developed an in-depth understanding of Canine Ethology, Canine Cognition and Communication, the Human-Animal Bond, and how to communicate with dogs.

Course price: £199 (£170 for SCAS members) 

Morning coffee and lunch will be provided and are included in the course price.

Pre-requisites for this course:

For the Handler:

It is important that you come to the practical training sessions with a basic understanding of certain aspects of animal assisted therapy. Time in the practical sessions is precious and we want you and the other attendees to gain the most from that time for the practical work with the dogs. Therefore there is some preparatory work that the handler must undertake prior to the practical training sessions. The preparatory work is delivered via our online learning support area and participants will need to have access to the Internet to access the materials.

For the Dog:

Each Dog must be in good health, have completed a veterinary health check within the last 3-6 months and be up to date with all vaccinations and worming.  No signs of kennel cough, parasites, and must not be coming into season or pregnant.

This practical training course is aimed at the specific aspects and finer points of training for a dog going into a therapy situation or a visiting programme. It is therefore assumed that the dog is already trained to a basic level of good behaviour. It is desirable (but not essential) that the dog has either already been "Pets As Therapy" registered or completed the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme (bronze). At the practical sessions there are likely to be in the region of 15 dogs and you will be working in close proximity to each other - therefore it is essential that your dog is sociable with other dogs and people.

It is expected that prior to attending this course the dog will already be able to:

  • Sit on cue without additional signals
  • Lie Down
  • Stay
  • Come when called
  • Walk w/o pulling on lead
  • Walk at heel 

We have now also developed an intermediate level course for those that have progressed further than the basic level course.