To become a certified therapy dog team (owner & dog):

To get tested you must do the Therapy Teams Skills Class, through RMTD, $75 per dog. This is a 90 minute class that teaches therapy foundation and is only done after you and your dog has done basic commands training with number amount of levels.

Be able to pass the certification test, with the list below. The test is done in two parts: School & nursing home scenario. When passing there is a $100 membership fee to go towards your gear and insurance (additional $50 if there is more than one person getting certified.) When you pass you will shadow another team in the area you are wanting to focus on.

To stay a certified team here are some things you will need to do: 3 hours of therapy volunteer every quarter, be evaluated (shadowed) at least once a year, pay $50 membership fee, login your hours & keeping vaccination records updated with RMTD. The hours are to be kept logged on a Goggle Spread Sheet (provided by RMTD).

If you are interested in testing please contact Amber at amber.rmtd@gmail.com to get started!

RMTD’s commitment to positive reinforcement techniques ensures that our therapy dogs are not only well-behaved, but also empowered to make a significant difference in the lives of those they serve.

Our comprehensive educational program is designed to provide a solid foundation for our teams. It consists of three group classes that cover a wide range of topics, starting from basic obedience and progressing to advanced work in public settings. This meticulous approach effectively prepares our teams to excel in RMTD's rigorous 12-point certification test, setting them up for success in their therapy dog endeavors.

Once certified, our teams gain access to essential benefits, including insurance coverage, and are thoughtfully designated to work in one of two categories:

Dog Assisted Therapy (DAT) Teams work with health care providers, social workers and other professionals to assist with goal-oriented therapies, typically with individual patients or clients.

Dog Assisted Activity (DAA) Teams work in group settings like nursing homes, hospitals, schools, homeless shelters and countless other places where interaction with Therapy Dogs brings positivity and joy.

Our passionate team of professional dog trainers is committed to providing comprehensive support to our teams throughout their certification journey. We understand the importance of continuous learning and growth, which is why we offer free monthly get-togethers for all our members.

During these enjoyable and interactive gatherings, we focus on refreshing and honing fun and useful behaviors that can be utilized during therapy dog work. From teaching our furry companions to turn pages of a book with their nose to helping them exude bashfulness to comfort shy clients, these specialized techniques enhance the therapeutic experience for both our dogs and the individuals they serve!

Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs Certification Test Requirements

Dog & Handler Testing Information

Purpose of the Test

The Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs (RMTD) Therapy Team Test is designed to evaluate the dog and handler as a team.

A successful therapy team must be able to listen to and work with each other even when there are many distractions. The dog should enjoy being around people and the handler should be able to confidently and kindly guide the dog through different therapy situations.

The test is not only about obedience. It is about determining whether the dog and handler can safely and happily work together in public settings with a variety of people, animals, noises, equipment, and distractions.

BEFORE THE TEST - You must have gone through the Therapy Teams Skills Class

Equipment Requirements

For the safety and well-being of the dog, handler, and people participating in RMTD activities, the following equipment is not permitted during RMTD testing or therapy work:

• Electric/shock collars

• Spray or citrus collars

• Choke collars

• Prong collars

• Metal collars

• Metal leashes

• Retractable leashes

• Leashes longer than 6 feet

Dogs should be tested and handled using appropriate, safe equipment that allows the handler to communicate with the dog without causing pain or fear.

Service Dogs

If your dog is a service dog, please notify RMTD before the test.

A service dog will not wear its service vest during the RMTD Therapy Team Test.

Service dogs working while wearing their service vest are generally expected to remain focused on their handler and not interact with members of the public. During an RMTD test, people will be approaching, petting, greeting, and interacting with the dog.

Removing the vest helps prevent confusion for the dog between working as a service dog and participating as a therapy dog.

Vaccinations

Dogs participating in RMTD must remain current on required vaccinations. This must be given before testing. 

Vaccination records must be kept updated with Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs.

RMTD TESTING EXPECTATIONS

Praise Is Encouraged

Handlers are encouraged to praise their dogs throughout the entire test.

Praise may include:

• Verbal encouragement

• Happy, positive interaction

• Gentle petting when appropriate

• Other positive reinforcement approved by the evaluator

We want to see a positive relationship between the dog and handler. We want to see that the dog can do a command without being told multiple times. 

Treats

Treats may be used **only when the evaluator instructs the handler to use them. This being provided by the testing unless your dog is allergic then the handler is to bring the treats. **

The evaluator will specifically ask the handler to demonstrate a skill without treats so that the dog's response can be evaluated without food assistance.

KIND AND HUMANE HANDLING

RMTD expects all dogs to be handled with patience, kindness, and respect.

Harsh corrections and physical force are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the RMTD program.

Handlers should never use:

• Hitting, kicking, jerking or harshly pulling on the leash, physical intimidation, and other forms of physical punishment

The goal is for the dog and handler to work together as a team.

AGGRESSION & SAFETY

The safety of people, dogs, handlers, volunteers, and facilities is extremely important.

If a dog or human shows signs of aggression toward anything before, during, or after the test, the team may be disqualified from participating in RMTD.

Signs of aggression may include, but are not limited to:

• Snarling, Snapping, biting, lunging, raised hackles when accompanied by concerning behavior, aggressive barking or other aggressive signals

• Threatening behavior, yelling, intimidating behavior, disrespectful behavior toward people or animals

The evaluator will determine whether behavior presents a safety concern.

THE RMTD THERAPY TEAM TEST

1. Basic Commands

The dog must be able to respond to basic commands without treats or physical force.

Commands tested include:

Sit - The dog responds promptly to the handler's cue to sit.

Down - The dog responds promptly to the handler's cue to lie down.

Touch - The dog responds to the handler's touch cue.

Stay - The dog must remain in position while the handler moves 20 feet away. The dog should remain calm and wait for the handler's next instruction.

Recall - The dog will remain approximately 20 feet away from the handler and then be called to come directly to the handler. The dog should return willingly and promptly.

Dogs will be tested with distractions present.

2. Teaching a Trick

The handler must be able to teach or guide another person in performing a simple trick with the dog.

Examples may include:

• High-five, shake, sit, down, turn…

The purpose of this portion is to demonstrate that the handler can help another person safely and successfully interact with the dog.

The handler should be able to explain what the person should do and help the dog understand what is being asked.

3. Taking a Treat From a Person

The dog must be able to calmly and gently take a treat from a student or other participant.

The dog should:

• Remain calm

• Take the treat gently

• Avoid jumping

• Avoid grabbing or snatching

• Remain under the handler's control

4. Walking Through a Busy Crowd

The dog and handler will walk through a noisy, distracting environment.

The dog should remain beside the handler on a loose leash.

The dog may notice people and objects around them, but should not:

• Jump on people

• Bark excessively

• Pull the handler

• Become uncontrollable

• Show fear or aggression

The crowd may include:

Medical and Mobility Equipment

• Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, and other mobility equipment

School and Everyday Items

• Backpacks, umbrellas, bags, and other objects commonly encountered in public

The goal is for the dog to remain comfortable and responsive to the handler even when the environment is busy.

5. Knowing When to Say "Hi"

A therapy dog needs to understand that sometimes it is time to greet people and sometimes it is time to stay with the handler.

When the handler gives permission to greet someone, the dog should:

• Approach willingly

• Remain under the handler's control

• Keep all four paws on the ground

• Be comfortable being petted

• Show friendly, appropriate behavior

The dog should not jump on the person.

6. Greeting a Person With Limited Mobility

The dog must be comfortable approaching a person who may not be able to move their arms very far.

The dog should be able to approach someone using a:

• Wheelchair

• Walker

• Other mobility equipment

The dog should comfortably position itself so the person can reach and pet the dog.

The dog must remain calm and comfortable around the equipment.

7. Receiving a Hug From a Stranger

The dog must be comfortable receiving a hug from a person it does not know.

The dog should remain calm and relaxed while being hugged.

The handler should monitor the dog's body language throughout the interaction.

8. Group Greeting

Therapy dogs may sometimes have several people wanting to interact with them at the same time.

The dog must be able to handle a group of excited people approaching to say hello and pet the dog.

The dog should:

• Remain calm

• Stay under the handler's control

• Remain comfortable

• Not become overly excited

• Not show fear or aggression

• Not jump on people

The goal is to determine whether the dog can handle an enthusiastic group without becoming overwhelmed.

9. Clumsy Petting

Not everyone pets a dog perfectly.

During the test, the dog may experience awkward or clumsy petting.

The dog should remain calm and comfortable when someone:

• Pets awkwardly

• Pets in an unusual way

• Has less coordination

• Does not know exactly how to pet a dog

The handler should pay attention to the dog's body language and be prepared to support the dog when needed.

10. Reading to the Dog

The dog and handler will sit together on a blanket while a student reads to the dog.

We are looking for the dog's ability to participate calmly and appropriately in a reading environment.

The dog should demonstrate engagement with the student and the reading activity.

The Essential Reading Triangle

The handler should position the dog so that the handler, reader, and dog can naturally interact.

The dog should be positioned where the student can comfortably read to and interact with the dog.

The handler should be able to support the student without taking over the reading experience.

11. Leaving Items Alone

Therapy dogs will encounter many interesting objects while working.

The dog must be able to leave items alone when instructed.

Items may include:

• Squeaky toys

• Food

• Peanut butter

• Other tempting objects

The dog should be able to redirect its attention back to the handler.

The handler should be able to communicate with the dog and maintain control without physical force.

12. Loud or Unexpected Noise

A loud or noisy object may be dropped near the dog.

The dog is allowed to:

• Notice the sound

• Look toward the sound

• Become briefly alert

• Show normal curiosity

The dog should not:

• Lunge toward the object

• Attempt to attack the object

• Run away uncontrollably

• Become unable to respond to the handler

The goal is not for the dog to ignore every sound. The goal is for the dog to be able to recover and remain safely under the handler's direction.

13. Walking By Another Therapy Team

The dog and handler will walk parallel to another dog and handler.

The teams will practice walking calmly near each other.

At one point, the handlers will be asked to stop and say hello to each other.

Important:

The dogs will not be allowed to greet each other.

Each dog should remain calm beside its handler while the handlers interact.

The dog should not:

• Pull toward the other dog

• Bark excessively

• Become overly excited

• Attempt to greet the other dog

The goal is for the dog to understand that the handler is the focus even when another dog is nearby.

14. Remaining With Another Person

The dog must be able to remain calm when another person holds the leash while the handler leaves the room.

The handler will leave for approximately two minutes.

The dog should:

• Remain calm

• Remain safely with the person holding the leash

• Not attempt to escape

• Not become uncontrollable

• Be able to wait for the handler's return

WHAT RMTD IS LOOKING FOR

Throughout the test, evaluators are looking at the whole therapy team, not just individual commands.

We want to see:

A Well-Trained Dog - The dog can listen to the handler even when distractions are present.

A Confident Handler - The handler understands their dog and can guide the dog calmly through different situations.

A Positive Relationship - The dog and handler enjoy working together.

A Safe Therapy Dog - The dog is comfortable around people, equipment, noises, other dogs, and unexpected situations.

A Responsive Team - The dog can follow the handler's direction and the handler can recognize and respond appropriately to the dog's needs.

A Dog Who Enjoys People - A therapy dog should genuinely enjoy interacting with people and should not be forced into interactions that cause fear or distress.

EVALUATOR FEEDBACK

If there are skills that need additional practice, the evaluator will discuss them with the handler.

Additional training does not mean the team has failed. It gives the handler and dog an opportunity to strengthen their skills and become more prepared for therapy work.

GROUP CLASSES with Amber

Calling all dog owners and their enthusiastic dogs. Join our obedience classes and embark on an exciting journey of learning, bonding, and empowerment! 🐾

BASIC OBEDIENCE
Price: $220
Duration: 6 weeks (includes a dog-free handler orientation)
Locations: Heber City & American Fork
Details: Discover the perfect class tailored for young and inexperienced dogs, where they will learn all the fundamental obedience cues through effective and positive reinforcement methods. We go over understanding how our dogs think and communicate. Here are the commands that we work on: name recognition, touch, sit, puppy yoga, wait, look, follow the leader, drop it, down, heel, come, advance look, walking on a leash, textures with walking, leave it, recall, and stay.

Contact us directly to learn more about the class material, dates, and availability!

INTERMEDIATE TRAINING
Price: $235
Duration: 5 weeks
Locations: Heber & American Fork
Details: This program serves as the perfect transition to advance your dog's skills, and we've compiled a series of engaging games to make the learning process fun and exciting for both you and your furry companion.

Contact us directly to learn more about the class material, dates, and availability!

ADVANCED COURSE
Price: $250
Duration: 5 weeks
Locations: Heber City, Park City & American Fork areas
Details: This dynamic program takes our teams on an adventure all around the community, where we fine-tune behaviors amidst the most challenging distractions. Get ready to elevate your dog's training to new heights in real-world settings, mastering obedience skills with the guidance of our expert trainer.

Contact us directly to learn more about the class material, dates, and availability!

Testimonials

Judy & Charlie

“With patience and professional training from Amy Francis, Charlie is ready for his journey as a therapy dog for Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs! I couldn’t be more appreciative for all that Amy and her team have done for us and for the community!”

JAN & Nova

“We’ve been involved in [numerous organizations] for 15 years with 4 different dogs. Amy has taken her dream of having a non-profit therapy dog group and made it a reality. Her skill as a dog trainer and having EVERYONE train together as a group, assisted by her volunteers and trainers, makes a world of difference when it’s time to test. Other organizations philosophy is: Give me your money and try and pass our test. Our dogs well being and safety come first in RMTD. It’s a small but MIGHTY group that will expand into GREATNESS! Come join us!”