BECOME SOMEONE'S DREAM TEAM
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Team up with your dog to support others.
Teach your dog the skills of therapy dog work and discover just how big a difference you and your dog can make together.
Learn at your pace, on your schedule, right from your home.
13+
68
3
12+
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Comprehensive, Step by Step Curriculum
READY WHEN YOU ARE
START ANYTIME
Begin on your scheduleFROM ANYWHERE
Learn wherever there is internet accessUSE ANY DEVICE
Tablet, cell, desktop, laptop. All good to go!- Teach your dog the 13 skills covered by most therapy dog evaluations and execute them confidently as a team.
- Assess your dog’s readiness to take both the KPA SkillCheck assessment and a therapy dog certification evaluation.
- Construct a training environment that sets up you and your dog for success.
- Describe the expectations of therapy dog teams and the temperament traits that indicate that a dog may enjoy, and be successful at, therapy work.
- Choose the therapy dog working environments and populations that will best suit your dog.
- Train reliable behaviors without corrections or physical control.
- Use both food and conditioned non-food reinforcers so that you are prepared for therapy visits where food rewards may not be an option.
- Teach your dog to remain comfortable and relaxed encountering novel and strange objects; around loud, strange, or sudden noises; around strangers and crowds; and during petting and handling from strangers.
And so much more...
See all 31 Learning Goals or get started now
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
Your Passion, Our Expertise.
Breanna Norris, KPA CTP
Owner/trainer, Canine Insights, LLCHiking • Cross-Country Skiing • Gardening
Breanna has worked with a service dog and therapy dog teams in both group and private settings and has taught in-person group therapy dog prep classes since 2016 for her own business Canine Insights, LLC, located in Maine and for others as well. Teams that Breanna has worked with have gone on to successfully work in hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, schools and universities. Her focus is on teaching people how to work as a team with their dog.
Breanna is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) and a KPA Certified Training Partner. She is the Alumni Relations Coordinator at Karen Pryor Academy. Breanna has volunteered with a guide dog program, shelters and rescues. Her experience also includes teaching animal training and animal care courses and currently she guest lectures for universities and rescue groups on animal training topics. She holds a Master's degree in anthrozoology.
Pat Koven, KPA CTP
Chapter Leader, Love on a LeashTherapy Team Work • Writing • Daytrip with Dogs
In 2018, Pat and her Aussie Willy become a certified therapy team with Love on a Leash, visiting colleges, nursing homes, libraries, schools, children's centers and rehabilitation facilities. In early 2019, Pat became Chapter Leader for Love on a Leash for Kennebec Valley, ME, and in that position supervises new teams as they start their therapy dog journeys and coordinates therapy dog teams across 40+ service locations.
Pat is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) and a KPA Certified Training Partner - Willy was her partner dog in the program. In 2019, Pat started her own company, Haulin’ Aus, Inc. which focuses exclusively on behavior modification and cooperative veterinary care; she works with veterinarians and vet behaviorists around the country. Pat also works for CattleDog Publishing/Low Stress Handling, where she edits and writes articles and courses on animal behavior and the human/animal relationship, continuing the legacy of Dr. Sophia Yin. Pat has been a licensed veterinary technician since 1992.
We'll Get Both of You There
Personalized coaching from the instructors.
Meaningful, engaged feedback so you both progress .
EARN YOUR DESIGNATION
SHOW YOUR SKILL
Build confidence through the KPA SkillCheckTM assessment process.
Show competence with the SkillCheck digital badge for Therapy Dog Teams.
Use on your social media and website.
See FAQs for more details.
$475
IN-DEPTH THERAPY DOG TRAINING
ALL SKILL LEVELS, ALL DOGS
Includes
More than 12 hours of personalized instructor feedback and coaching
Unlimited access to the course lessons, training plans and videos, for a full year.
The KPA SkillCheck™ assessment for Therapy Dog Team Training
A proven training process that builds the bond with your dog
The full skills required for therapy dog work plus bonus behaviors
Feel fully prepared
This course is eligible for CEUs
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- CEUs: 26
- The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- CPDT-KA
- KSA Knowledge: 9
- KSA Skills: 4
- CBCC-KA: 4
- CPDT-KA
- The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC):
- CEUs: 25