Serving with Compassion and Pride
Enriching Lives Through Therapy Dogs: Your Journey Starts Here
Welcome to USA Therapy Dogs, a dedicated non-profit organization based in Mid-Michigan, entirely driven by passionate volunteers. Our mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need through the power of therapy dogs. At USA Therapy Dogs, we believe that dogs are extraordinary companions and can play a vital role in enhancing mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Our comprehensive certification program ensures that therapy dogs and their owners are well-prepared to make a difference in their communities.
How USA Therapy Dogs, Inc. Stands Out from Other Training Programs
While several organizations in the Detroit and Flint, MI areas offer therapy dog training and AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluations, USA Therapy Dogs, Inc. provides a comprehensive, hands-on training experience that sets us apart.
What Makes USA Therapy Dogs Different?
✔ 12-Week Comprehensive Training Program – Unlike many programs that focus solely on obedience and CGC certification, we provide in-depth training tailored specifically for therapy dog work.
✔ Hands-On Fieldwork Experience – Our program includes real-world training in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers, ensuring both handlers and dogs gain experience in therapy settings before certification.
✔ Certified AKC Evaluator Trainers – All of our trainers are official AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluators, meaning dogs are trained and tested to AKC-recognized therapy dog standards in one seamless program.
✔ Specialized Therapy Dog Certification – We go beyond CGC/CGCA testing by ensuring that teams are fully prepared to interact with diverse populations and handle real-life therapy visits with confidence.
✔ Structured Membership & Ongoing Support – After certification, our members remain connected through volunteer opportunities, continued education, and a strong therapy dog community.
📢 Join a training program that prepares you for real therapy dog work! Enroll in USA Therapy Dogs today.
Certification Program
Our comprehensive certification program ensures that therapy dogs and their owners are well-prepared to make a difference in their communities. Here's an overview of what our program entails:
12-Week Training Journey:
Week 1-7: Fundamental Training - Dogs and their owners focus on mastering essential skills required to pass the prestigious A.K.C.-C.G.C.A (Advanced Canine Good Citizen) test.
Week 8: "Hazards of the Hospital" - Specialized training to prepare dogs for hospital environments and CPR for dogs.
Weeks 9-12: Field Work - Therapy Dogs in training and their owners embark on visits to various facilities, helping handlers identify the settings where they are most comfortable visiting with their therapy dog.
Week 13: Graduation and Certification - Successful completion of the program results in the certification of a Therapy Dog team.
Training Excellence
Dogs entering our certification program are expected to demonstrate key commands such as sit, stay, come on command, and walking on a loose leash. New teams undergo training with our dedicated team of USA Therapy assistant trainers and our Lead Trainer at our state-of-the-art training facility. Throughout the 12-week program, our team closely observes the interactions between handlers and dogs, evaluating their performance in various situations and with different people.
Our Training Facility
Our training sessions take place at the Independence Township Senior Community Center, located at 6000 Clarkston Rd, Clarkston, MI 48348. This facility offers a comfortable and controlled environment, perfect for our therapy dog training. We meet in a spacious area that allows for effective training exercises and hands-on experience, helping dogs and handlers prepare for real-world therapy scenarios.
Transforming Lives Through Therapy Dogs
Therapy Dogs are increasingly recognized for their healing benefits in traditional medicine. At USA Therapy Dogs, we've witnessed remarkable transformations, including:
Helping children overcome speech impediments and reading difficulties.
Easing the discomfort of abused or neglected children, aiding them in rebuilding trust and self-confidence.
Encouraging handicapped individuals to improve their mobility by interacting with visiting therapy dogs.
Providing comfort and unconditional love to those in grief.
Enhancing the overall well-being of individuals in need, whether it's mental, emotional, or physical support.
Join us at USA Therapy Dogs in making a meaningful difference in your community. Together, we can continue to harness the incredible potential of therapy dogs to bring healing and joy to those who need it most.