On-line Therapy Dog Handler Training Course launch Nov 3 in Recognition of One Health Day

Zooeyia, which is recognition of the positive benefits of animals to human health, and is an essential component of One Health. Therapy dogs are well behaved family pets that enjoy the company of humans. Therapy dog and human handler teams visit at a range of places where individuals do not typically have access to a pet, such as hospitals. Extensive vetting and testing is typically involved in becoming a therapy dog team, but limited education is provided to handlers to increase their awareness and skills in areas that would support their visits. The University of Saskatchewan and the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program have partnered to offer a self-paced, 8-hour online course at no-cost to therapy dog handlers and anyone else that is interested! The course addresses participant diversity, responding to participant mental health, handlers’ self-care, and the basics of therapy dog care during and after visiting.