November 2024

What is the difference between  a
​therapy dog and a service dog?

        When people see me with Picasso they'll ask me if he's a "Puppy in Training" or How long will I have him? What I try to explain to them is that I adopted him and trained him to be a (CC~COC) Canine Companion Therapy Dog.  I know it's extremely confusing for people to see me with him and wonder about him. However, it's been happening quite regularly.  So, I thought I'd set the record straight as to how he became my dog and how, as his handler, we are now a Therapy Dog Team.  I am a Certified Therapy Dog Handler for Canine Companions. Therapy Dogs are not Service Dogs. 

I feel that it's important for everyone to know the difference between a Therapy Dog and a Service Dog. Picasso is a Therapy Dog not a Service Dog. There are very big differences between the two. Service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) giving them public access rights. A therapy dog is trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster area and the like. The etiquette is quite different for both as well. The proper way to approach a Service Dog Team is to ask if you may pet or say hello to the dog. On the contrary with a Therapy Dog, though, anyone can approach a Therapy Dog Team. They are both working dogs, however their jobs are drastically different. The Canine Companion Service dog is helping their client with certain tasks, while a Canine Companion Therapy dog's presence is to bring joy and comfort to everyone he or she meets.

Picasso is a Canine Companions Certified Therapy dog and I'm his handler. We are Team Picasso. We take our role as a Therapy Dog Team very seriously. Canine Companions has a strict protocol as to who and where we visit. If you'd like us to come to your facility you're welcome to visit Canine Companions (Therapy Dog Program Setting Interest and Approval Form Survey) to apply for a visit.We absolutely love our visits. 

Canine Companions uses only their release dogs in their Therapy Dog Program. Most  know over 30 commands and are either Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers or a cross between the two. Picasso is a cross. He was on track to be a Service Dog for them. He was named Picasso at birth on April 4, 2022, He traveled from Santa Rosa, California to the Northeast Region of Canine Companions at eight weeks old to be Puppy Raised.  He was raised by a college student who did an excellent job!!  For 18 months she provided a loving environment, veterinarian care, a wonderful diet, taught him basic commands, and socialized him. In the summer of 2023 he matriculated into their Professional Training Program. Unfortunately, while being professionally trained, Picasso began to exhibit some fear issues. I was told that he is super sensitive. To graduate and become a Service Dog with Canine Companions, a dog needs to be perfect in every way.  Therefore, a dog with some fear issues and being sensitive would not make a great service dog. When they're released from program, the Puppy Raiser is offered the opportunity to adopt the dog. In Picasso's case. the Puppy Raiser was unable to adopt him. So, his professional trainer and the Program Manager decided that he would make a wonderful therapy dog for them. Now they needed to find a Canine Companions Handler to team up with him. I just happen to be a Canine Companions Therapy Dog Handler. The day they reached out to me was incredible and serendipitous...to say the least.. 

You see...A few months earlier I had lost my beloved Dagger DogVinci. After losing Dagger I felt my purpose was lost. So, I decided to apply to be a handler for Canine Companions' Therapy Dog Program.  After a lengthy interview and testing program, I was accepted.  I was thrilled to have been accepted into their program. But, I knew that it would take time to be matched with one of their release dogs. That is, until I received an email from their Therapy dog Program stating that "Picasso was being Released." The first thing I thought was, "this has to be a joke!" A dog named Picasso!? When I reached out to the Program Manager she said that he was already beginning to learn how to paint! She asked me if we wanted to adopt him and told me that he would make a wonderful Therapy dog.

Of course, my husband and I high-tailed it right out to the Northeast Regional Headquarters (which is right here on Long Island in Medford) and adopted Picasso on the spot! Canine Companions requires a handler to bond for six months before they are tested to be accepted as a team into their Therapy Dog program. After two weeks with Picasso, I felt I had already bonded with him. But, we had to wait. And I must agree with their rules, a team really needs that time to train and test. It's all extremely important for the Team's success. 

Six months later, we were certified as a Canine Companions Therapy Dog Team. 

I'm happy to report that Picasso has visited many schools and facilities since we've been certified. It is one of the most rewarding things I've done.

I certainly hope that you understand the journey of how a Canine Companions Therapy Dog becomes a therapy dog for them and the difference between a CC Service Dog and a CC~COC Therapy Dog.

​ Yes...Picasso is my dog. He lives with me and he's part of our family forever and ever. We are proud that he's a Therapy Dog for Canine Companions and he's Barney's best pal🐾🐾❤️❤️ 

May you all have a 
Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving
🍁
Enjoy every minute with your family and friends!
Happy tales to you,
​xoxo Yvonne