We are proud to be one of the few dog training programs in the United States that offers fully trained therapy dogs. Therapy dogs hold a special place in Barbara's heart because of the joy they bring people. By rescuing and training therapy dogs, we have the opportunity to positively impact both the lives of the dogs in our program and the people they will help!
Therapy Dogs
Benefits of Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs have the remarkable ability to spark joy in everyone they meet, including their family. Therapy dog handlers often observe improvements in the health and well-being of their clients and staff.
Why get a therapy dog?
Therapy dogs are the ultimate companions for their families. They are a joy to be around. They are eager to accompany their family to outdoor cafes, travel, family gathering, and more. Many of our therapy dog clients take their dogs into their workplace as well. We have placed therapy dogs with pediatric dentists, school teachers, practicing attorneys, courthouse employees, executives, nurses, veterans, and more.
Families who receive a therapy dog often want to uplift their community by bringing their dog to local library reading programs, retirement communities, children’s homes, and hospitals. There are so many ways a Therapy Dog can benefit your community!
A therapy dog for a pediatric
dentist, Denver CO
Our therapy dogs are specially chosen because of their love for people. They will sit or lie down for hours while being petted by strangers of all ages. Petting and being around dogs has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and stress and improve general physical health. We have witnessed many people cry tears of joy when they see a therapy dog while experiencing a stressful situation!
How do therapy dogs help?
Help people with learning difficulties
Assist in reading programs for children
Support medical professionals in providing mental and physical therapy to their clients
Bring comfort to people recovering from crisis
Provide grief support during the loss of a loved one
Help reduce anxiety in children and adults with dental phobias
Support children and adults when giving statements and testimony in court
Therapy Dogs can:
“With no exception, getting Maverick was the best thing we’ve ever done.”
Foundational Training Standards
We carefully select each therapy dog for their social temperament and calm demeanor. We train them to be
well-behaved in all situations and prepared to be registered with a therapy dog organization of your choice after bonding with you.
Dune, a Great Dane therapy dog with his forever family
Our therapy dogs:
Respond to 18 basic obedience commands consistently.
Behaves calmly on leash in public spaces.
Comfortable with and does not overreact to distractions, unusual situations (e.g. sudden noises/movement, etc.) in the environment, or equipment that is commonly present.
Display genuine signs of interest in socializing with people and receiving attention from a variety of people.
Remain relaxed with different people petting them.
Email
rollingmeadowsdogs@gmail.com
Call
336-590-4354
Do you want a therapy dog?
Contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a therapy dogs?
Therapy dogs accompany their owners to provide affection, comfort, and support to people in many different situations. They commonly enter hospitals, schools, libraries, nursing homes, and more to provide comfort. Therapy dogs are specifically trained to be calm in many circumstances and gently accept affection. Some therapy dogs are utilized by their owners for their workplace, such as a courtroom, dentist practice, emergency center, and more.
Are therapy dogs the same as service dogs?
A therapy dog is not a service dog and does not get the same public access allowing for service dogs to accompany their handler everywhere per the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). They are very different roles requiring different temperaments. Through certification, therapy dogs are allowed in specific places to benefit others.
Do you certify therapy dogs?
Therapy dogs generally must be certified to enter places such as hospitals, schools, and local community gatherings. We do not certify our therapy dogs because many agencies only certify certain types of therapy dogs, and we like to give our clients options. We will refer you to outside agencies to take a Therapy Dog test once you have bonded with your dog for a minimum of 3-6 months. In some cases, we have also worked alongside clients to certify their dog.
How long does it take to get a therapy dog?
The time it takes from first contacting us to delivering your therapy dog varies widely. We put great effort into ensuring our therapy dogs are well trained, and perfect for your lifestyle, which can take time. If we have a suitable match currently in our program and the dog’s training is nearly complete, it can be as short as 2 months. If that dog is not within our program, training typically takes 4-6 months, depending on additional factors.
How will I get my therapy dog?
Over the past 20 years, we have perfected the best way to match and deliver therapy dogs. Barbara personally delivers the dog to your home. This allows her to see the dog in your home environment, and will not make you to travel and take you away from life responsibilities. Over a 3-4 day period, she will teach you all of the obedience commands and tasks, how to navigate public spaces with your dog, accompany you to a frequented location, an exercise walk, and an introductory veterinary visit.
Read more about this process here!
What breeds do you train for therapy dogs?
At Rolling Meadows Academy, we strongly believe that individual temperaments matter far more than the breed. Through our rescue-based program, we have trained a huge variety of breeds as successful therapy dogs. Clients often request specific breeds or sizes, which we usually accommodate unless we do not think it will be a good match.