BECOME SOMEONE'S DREAM TEAM

TRAIN YOUR DOG TO BE A THERAPY DOG

(VIRTUAL LEARNING, REAL-WORLD IMPACT)

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.

Start Today for $475

13+

ESSENTIAL THERAPY DOG SKILLS & BEHAVIORS TAUGHT

68

SKILL-TEACHING VIDEOS (48) AND TRAINING PLANS (20)

3

REAL-TIME, REMOTE COACHING SESSIONS

12+

HOURS OF COACHING AND FEEDBACK ON YOUR TRAINING VIDEOS

41

POINT KPA SkillCheck^TM ASSESSMENT for THERAPY DOG TEAMS

ONLINE GRADUATE GROUP ACCESS

Comprehensive, Step by Step Curriculum

Build Skills and Confidence (Both of You)

Get fully prepared for certification

READY WHEN YOU ARE

START ANYTIME

Begin on your schedule

FROM ANYWHERE

Learn wherever there is internet access

USE ANY DEVICE

Tablet, cell, desktop, laptop. All good to go!

You and your dog will learn the essential skills needed for therapy dog work so that you both will be well prepared to work as a successful therapy dog team.

The course is designed to teach you effective positive reinforcement training skills and to teach your dog the 13 core skills and behaviors that therapy dog teams must be able to perform. You'll learn to read your dog's body language as well as how to keep therapy work sustainable and joyful for your team and therapeutic for those you are trying to help.

Through instruction, training exercises, videos, and remote coaching, you will teach your dog to be comfortable and confident performing the required skills and behaviors under conditions that simulate therapy dog work: among other dogs, in busy and noisy environments, with strangers, face-to-face with appealing distractions, and more. The course is set up so that you and your dog learn to navigate with confidence places like hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, school classrooms, and other environments where therapy work often takes place.

The curriculum culminates in the KPA SkillCheck^TM Assessment for Therapy Dog Team Training. This is a practical training assessment designed to simulate the therapy dog certification tests used by many therapy dog organizations and the institutions they serve. The KPA SkillCheck Assessment helps you feel fully prepared for that certification step.

The course includes a thorough orientation to the therapy dog field, including the differences between therapy dog team work and other service animal work, options for being involved with therapy dog work, and the resources you need to take steps to become an active therapy dog team.

Overall, this course prepares you and your dog for therapy dog teamwork—whether you want to work with a therapy dog organization, work with someone close to you, or meet your own needs. Did we mention that you will have fun together?

See all 31 Learning Goals for this course

Become someone's dream team

Note: Non-profit therapy dog organizations provide access to group insurance coverage for therapy dog teams. The organizations will require that you pass their certification test to obtain that insurance and become part of their network. This course prepares you for those tests and provides a simulation of the evaluation processes commonly used by the organizations.

This course provides in-depth preparation for work as a therapy dog team. You will teach your dog the skills and behaviors required of therapy dogs and learn the handler skills that will make you a great therapy dog team. The course also covers the various types of therapy work and their benefits, helps you assess the types of work that may be a good fit for your dog, and teaches you how to sustain your team’s enthusiasm and joy in therapy work over time.

This course emphasizes the often neglected team aspect of therapy work. You and your dog will both learn the therapy dog team skills, behaviors, and knowledge—whether you want to become affiliated with an organization, support someone you love, or meet your own needs.

The course is designed for students with all levels of handler experience, even those with minimal prior dog training experience. The extensive curriculum includes 3 units of material and exercises, 48 teaching videos that demonstrate the final skills and skill progression, and 20 integrated training plans.

The Therapy Dog Team Training course is offered via an on-demand format so that you can start when you are ready and learn at your own pace. With steady training, you can expect to complete this course within 16 weeks; however, you have access to the course for a full year so that you and your dog can take a break, go on vacation, or handle other things that come up in life.

The course authors, experienced therapy dog team instructors, provide extensive support along your learning journey, including hours of written feedback on the training videos you submit and 1:1 real-time coaching sessions over Zoom. The course instructors assess your skills and readiness to enter therapy dog work either on your own or through a therapy dog organization. The KPA SkillCheckTM assessment for Therapy Dog Team Training simulates the certification testing that most therapy dog organizations require for affiliation.

Get started now

Through an online curriculum, training exercises, class videos, and remote video coaching over Zoom (or similar), you and your dog will learn the essential skills for therapy dog team work.

The course includes 48 training videos and 20 training plans to help you and your dog learn the 13 skills and behaviors required of therapy dog teams. You will submit videos of your team’s training progress for your instructor’s written feedback. You can also schedule three 30-minute Zoom calls for real-time video-based coaching sessions with your instructor. The instructor will use the KPA SkillCheck™ for Therapy Dog Teams to assess, and provide feedback on, your dog’s demonstrated skills on more than 40 criteria.

Overall, you can expect to put in approximately 30 hours of training time with your dog and approximately nine hours reading and reviewing course material; you will need to build in additional time to create edited videos for your instructor.

With steady training, the course can take approximately 16 weeks to complete. As dog-and-handler team experience can vary significantly, you will have access to the course for a full year so that you can learn at your own pace and on a schedule that works for you and your dog.

Enroll today

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

This course focuses on creating strong therapy dog teams by equipping both dogs and their handlers with the skills, behaviors, tools, and knowledge necessary for therapy dog work.

This course is for anyone who wants to train for therapy dog team work and it accommodates all pet guardian skill levels and all dog skill levels. No training experience is required for you or your dog. If you and/or your dog already have some of the skills taught in this course skills, you will move through the material at a faster pace.

This course is also right for you if:

Your goal is to become affiliated with a therapy dog organization and participate in organized public-facing therapy dog work. Non-profit therapy dog organizations will require that you pass their certification test to obtain insurance and become part of their network. This course thoroughly prepares you for those tests and provides a simulation of the evaluation processes commonly used by the organizations.
Your goal is to develop the skills and demeanor to provide calming, therapy-type benefits to you or someone close to you.

Begin making a difference

MEET YOUR TEACHERS

Your Passion, Our Expertise.

EXCEPTIONAL TRAINERS & EDUCATORS COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS.

Karen-Pryor-Academy-Faculty-Member-Breanna-Norris

Breanna Norris, KPA CTP

Owner/trainer, Canine Insights, LLC

Hiking • 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 Leash

Therapy 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 .

Start Today for $475

Start Today for ~~$475~~ $380Use Coupon Code: BTS2025

DEMO THE COURSE FOR FREE

KPA SkillCheck Therapy Dog Team Training

EARN YOUR DESIGNATION

SHOW YOUR SKILL

Build confidence through the KPA SkillCheck^TM 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

~~$475~~ $380

USE COUPON CODE: BTS2025

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
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC):
- CEUs: 25

Students receive personalized support from their instructor that includes up to three real-time video coaching sessions (each up to 30 minutes), up to 12 hours of video review and feedback from the instructor on practice and assessment videos, and five hours of email support for course-related questions.

Course video submissions are limited to a total of 45 minutes. Each practice video submitted to the instructor must be no longer than two minutes. The three videos submitted for the final SkillCheck can be up to eight minutes each as they will demonstrate a series of behaviors.

A computer or device with high-speed internet access and a modern web browser
Support for Adobe PDF documents
Training supplies:
- clicker (if you choose to use one)
- treat pouch
- high-quality, soft, small training treats (pea-sized)
- 6-foot leash (not a flex-lead)
- front/rear attachment harness, buckle collar, or martingale.
- training mat (can be a towel or small rug)
Ability to record video on (e.g. phone, camcorder, digital camera) as well as a way to capture good angles of training sessions (e.g. tripod, gimble, helper).
Access to a friendly, food-motivated dog that you can train regularly
A human assistant (occasionally)
Access to one or more friendly canine assistants (for some training exercises)

This course focuses on creating strong therapy dog teams by equipping both dogs and their handlers with the skills, behaviors, tools, and knowledge necessary for therapy dog work.

This course is for anyone who wants to train for therapy dog team work and it accommodates all pet guardian skill levels and all dog skill levels. No training experience is required for you or your dog. If you and/or your dog already have some of the skills taught in this course skills, you will move through the material at a faster pace.

This course is also right for you if:

Your goal is to become affiliated with a therapy dog organization and participate in organized public-facing therapy dog work. Non-profit therapy dog organizations will require that you pass their certification test to obtain insurance and become part of their network. This course thoroughly prepares you for those tests and provides a simulation of the evaluation processes commonly used by the organizations
Your goal is to develop the skills and demeanor to provide calming, therapeutic benefits for you or someone close to you.

Begin making a difference

This course is generally appropriate for all breeds and ages of dogs with a few caveats:

This course is NOT appropriate for dogs with a bite history with other dogs or people.
While puppies can go through this course, it is not recommended that young puppies start with this course. Instead, we recommend Dog Trainer Foundations
If your dog often exhibits shy behavior around other people or dogs, or persistent fearful behavior, your dog team may not progress to the stage of comfort and relaxation needed for the standard of therapy work. However, the course can help you and your dog make substantial skill progress.

You can also progress through this course with more than one dog or with someone else's dog provided you have regular, frequent access so that you can complete the training exercises, progressions, and plans.

To work with any of the many therapy dog organizations that place therapy dog teams you will typically need to pass their certification test. Therapy dog organizations do not typically provide training for their tests. Instead, they encourage aspiring therapy dog teams to seek professional training assistance to learn the necessary skills and prepare for the test.

In this course, you will teach your dog the skills and behaviors required to be a therapy dog and learn the handler skills that will make you a great therapy dog team. The included KPA SkillCheck^TM assessment for Therapy Dog Teams simulates the certification testing that most therapy dog organizations require for affiliation.

If you are training a dog for therapy work for yourself or for someone close to you, you and your dog may not need a certification. However, you will need the skills developed in this course to work safely and effectively both in and outside the home.

No. The course is specifically focused on therapy dog work. While therapy dog work includes skills that are used in many types of service dog work, service dogs receive additional specialized training to assist people with physical disabilities and/or medical issues. Also, while dogs with therapy work training can also provide people with emotional support, this course does NOT provide any legal proof that one has or needs an Emotional Support Animal (ESA).

If you earn the SkillCheck™ designation in Therapy Dog Team Training, you will be notified by your teacher or course administrator and provided with the SkillCheck Therapy Dog Team Training digital badge for your use. You may also claim in writing that you earned your "KPA SkillCheck: Therapy Dog Team Training."

Please specify that you earned a SkillCheck with the specific reference to the skill/course in which it was earned and that it was earned with Karen Pryor Academy (KPA); all of these elements must always be included. You can find an example of the badge in this section!

IMPORTANT:

The KPA SkillCheck designation is the mark of competency earned from a specific KPA course. It is not a KPA certification and you may not use language that you are certified by KPA in, for example, Therapy Dog Team Training or any representation or language to that effect. It is permissible to note in text format that you earned your KPA SkillCheck in Therapy Dog Team Training or in a signature that includes "KPA SkillCheck: Therapy Dog Team Training." You may also display the official badge freely.
A KPA SkillCheck designation does NOT make you a KPA Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP); therefore, you may not represent the KPA SkillCheck as a form of general certification by KPA in any public or private communications.

If you earn the SkillCheck™ designation in Therapy Dog Team Training, you will be notified by your teacher or course administrator and provided with the SkillCheck Therapy Dog Team Training digital badge for your use. You may also claim in writing that you earned your "KPA SkillCheck: Therapy Dog Team Training."

Please specify that you earned a SkillCheck with the specific reference to the skill/course in which it was earned and that it was earned with Karen Pryor Academy (KPA); all of these elements must always be included. You can find an example of the badge in this section!

IMPORTANT:

The KPA SkillCheck designation is the mark of competency earned from a specific KPA course. It is not a KPA certification and you may not use language that you are certified by KPA in, for example, Therapy Dog Team Training or any representation or language to that effect. It is permissible to note in text format that you earned your KPA SkillCheck in Therapy Dog Team Training or in a signature that includes "KPA SkillCheck: Therapy Dog Team Training." You may also display the official badge freely.
A KPA SkillCheck designation does NOT make you a KPA Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP); therefore, you may not represent the KPA SkillCheck as a form of general certification by KPA in any public or private communications.

SkillCheck^TM is a formalized KPA method for teachers to provide feedback to students on the skills taught in a specific course. Unique SkillCheck criteria are developed for each KPA course or class that offers SkillCheck assessment.

In this course, SkillCheck is available and open to all students. You will receive an easy-to-digest assessment of your skill progress on the essential therapy dog behaviors and training and, if you complete the course and demonstrate proficiency, you will earn the SkillCheck designation for Therapy Dog Team Training!

The SkillCheck™ designation means that you demonstrated competency in the specific skills taught in a KPA class or course.

While students in the course receive the SkillCheck assessment, the SkillCheck designation is awarded only to those students who complete the class and meet the criteria for the specific skills in the class.

Students who achieve the SkillCheck designation can feel confident that they have the proficiency and understanding to apply the skills and continue to build them.

Interested students can earn their SkillCheck in Therapy Dog Team Training and will receive both a digital copy of that designation and a digital badge that can be displayed.

Please note: A KPA SkillCheck designation does NOT make you a KPA Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP).

The course is authored and taught by Therapy Dog team evaluators and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners. Each author has extensive experience in the Therapy Dog world from various perspectives.

You can read more about the authors in the Meet Your Teacher section.

The course was also co-developed, reviewed, and approved by Karen Pryor Clicker Training. It is 100% force-free and fun for teachers, students, and dogs!

You Bring The Love

Therapy Dog Team Training

(we'll teach the skills)

CLICK TO START!

BECOME SOMEONE'S DREAM TEAM

Save 20% During Train Your Dog Month!

$475 $380 (save $95!) with Coupon Code: TYD2026

Sale ends Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET)!

Hurry, sale ends TONIGHT, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET)!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Comprehensive, Step by Step Curriculum

READY WHEN YOU ARE

What Will You Learn?

Key Benefits

How You Will Learn

Learn To...

Is This Course Right For Me?

MEET YOUR TEACHERS

Your Passion, Our Expertise.

Breanna Norris, KPA CTP

Pat Koven, KPA CTP

We'll Get Both of You There

EARN YOUR DESIGNATION

$475

IN-DEPTH THERAPY DOG TRAINING ALL SKILL LEVELS, ALL DOGS Includes

Buy Now, Start Later

Continuing Education Units

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Is this course right for my dog?

Is this course affiliated with a therapy dog organization?

Is a therapy dog training course required to work in the field?

Will this course qualify my dog to work as a Service animal?

Can I earn CEUs (Continuing Education Units)?

Do I earn a certificate?

How do I earn my Therapy Dog Team Training SkillCheckTM Designation?

How can I use a SkillCheckTM Designation?

What is the KPA SkillCheckTM?

What is the SkillCheck™designation?

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You Bring The Love

IN-DEPTH THERAPY DOG TRAINING
ALL SKILL LEVELS, ALL DOGS
Includes