GUIDELINES FOR
CARING CANINES THERAPY DOG CLUB HANDLERS

• Caring Canines Therapy Dog Club (CCTDC) is non-profit, therefore CCTDC registered dogs will not accept fees or compensation for therapy dog visits or be used for the personal financial gain of any member.
  
  
• Handlers must have control over their dogs at all time. If another team is visiting a person, please wait until the other team has moved away from an individual before you approach with your dog.
  
  
• All rules of the facility must be followed. Handlers must check in with staff or supervision when they visit. Ask if there are any residents you cannot visit.
  
  
• Handlers should avoid wearing perfumes/colognes. Residents can be very sensitive to smell.
  
  
• Be mindful that some people are afraid or allergic to dogs. Keep your dog close so that you do not surprise such people in hallways or rooms.
  
• Always ask the resident’s permission before you visit with them or bring your dog into their room. Before entering a room, ask the resident if a therapy dog would be welcome to visit.
  
  
• Keep your dog close in order to avoid walkers, wheelchairs, canes and tubes. A dog entangled in them can do harm to the resident and your dog.
  
  
• Be aware of a resident’s physical condition so your dog will not be put into a position that could cause them harm. Some residents are frail and may have brittle bones and sensitive skin. Take care that you and your pet cause no injury.
  
  
• Be aware of your surroundings and potential dangers. Residents can grab collars, pinch skin or squeeze feet/ears, etc. causing pain or discomfort for your dog.
  
  
• Do not interfere with normal activity of the facility.
  
  
• When visiting resident’s room, limit to one dog per room at a time.
  
  
• If it is necessary to move a bed table, walker, phone, chair, etc. for your dog to be patted, always put the items back to the original place.
  
  
• A handler must handle ONE dog at a time (in other words, if you have two certified therapy dogs, you may only bring one in at a time).
  
  
• Keep your dog’s nose off the floor. One never knows what might be down there.
  
  
• Be prepared with proper material to quickly clean up after your dog if it unexpectedly vomits, urinates or defecates within the facility or on the grounds of the facility.
  
  
• Observe the needs of your dog!! If a dog appears hot, tired or otherwise uninterested, do both of you a favor and revisit another time.
  
  
• Respect the resident’s confidentiality. Do not discuss any personal or health information you may learn about someone you visited.
  
  
• Go with the resident’s needs in mind; be there to listen to them. Often, asking if they have had pets is a good way to start a conversation. Encourage residents, their family members and visitors, as well as the facility’s staff to pat your dog. Many are dog lovers who miss their own pets and would benefit from touching the fur of a friendly dog.
  
  
• Take the opportunity to educate interested observers about the value of therapy dogs to the emotional and physical health of residents.
  
  
• Always wash hands before and after visits or use handy wipes, purell, etc. This is wise to prevent bringing something into a facility and for the volunteer carrying something out.
  
  
• Whether or not to let your dog accept treats is a personal choice. However, please be VERY aware of how gentle your dog is when doing so. If your dog has any chance of catching a finger with his teeth or grabbing at the food in earnest, consider taking the treat from the patient to give to the dog yourself.
  
  
• When making visits, please turn off your cell phone! It is a distraction to being able to work with your dog safely and it is a common courtesy to the people we visit.
  
  
• Dogs must never be left unattended or tethered to an object without the handler present.
  
  
• All dogs must be currently listed with Caring Canines Therapy Dog Club and handlers must wear their photo identification badge.