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Why Choose Therapy Dog Training UK | Ethical Therapy Dog Certification

Updated: Jan 15


Choosing the right training pathway for a therapy dog is a big decision. Whether you are a school, healthcare setting, charity, or an individual handler, you are not just investing in training, you are taking responsibility for a dog’s lifelong welfare and for the safety of the people they will work alongside.


At Therapy Dog Training UK, everything we do is built around one core belief: therapy dogs deserve proper preparation and training, ongoing assessment, and ethical, welfare-led support.

Here’s why so many individuals and organisations choose us.


Built on Experience, Not Trends


Therapy Dog Training UK was founded in 2019, but our work began many years earlier through helping to establish Burns by Your Side, a volunteer canine-assisted therapy programme operating across South and West Wales. At its peak, the programme still supports around 80 volunteer therapy dog partnerships, working weekly in schools.


This hands-on experience shaped our understanding of what therapy dogs really need to thrive, not just pass an assessment, but to be fully prepared, trained and enjoy their work long-term. We also realised therapy dog guardians need valuable information and training too!


Leaders in Setting National Standards



When we first advocated for behaviour training and temperament assessment for therapy dogs, formal standards were limited. In 2018, we were invited by the UK Kennel Club, alongside a small number of other reputable organisations, to help develop minimum guidelines for training and health and safety protocols for canine assisted therapy inteventions in the UK based on the framework we were developing.


These guidelines now form the foundation of our certification process, ensuring dogs are carefully considered for:

  • Welfare and emotional wellbeing

  • Suitability for busy or unpredictable environments

  • Safe interaction with children and vulnerable adults


A Welfare-First, Ethical Approach


We believe therapy dogs should never be “pushed” into work. Our framework ensures:

  • Dogs are trained using positive, kind and force-free methods

  • Temperament and behaviour confidence are assessed before certification

  • Dogs are supported as they age, with reassessments built into our process


We actively encourage dogs to step back from work if it is no longer right for them because wellbeing always comes first.


Flexible Training That Fits Real Life


Our CPD-verified online training programme allows handlers to learn at their own pace, making it ideal for:

  • Schools and healthcare professionals

  • Individuals training their own dog to volunteer or paid for work

  • Organisations purchasing a puppy for future therapy work


The training covers:


  • Legal and compliance responsibilities

  • Understanding canine behaviour and communication - particularly recognising stress and anxiety signals

  • Working in a therapy setting and considerations for developing a school dog from puppy stages

  • Practical, bite-sized video tutorials to gently train your dog at your own pace in your own time.

This gentle, structured approach supports dogs and handlers towards a Silver Level of training without rushing or feeling under pressure.



A Trusted UK-Wide Trainer Network


Alongside online learning, we offer live training through our network of around 70 TDT UK Trusted Trainers across the UK. Every trainer is fully qualified and assessed by us to ensure they work to ethical, force-free training standards.


This gives our clients access to:

  • Local, in-person support

  • Puppy socialisation and foundation training

  • One-to-one guidance when needed

  • Consistent assessment standards nationwide


Meaningful Assessment - Not a One-Off Test!


Certification with Therapy Dog Training UK is a process, not a pass or fail.


Teams need to successfully complete:


  • Online Therapy Dog Workshops 1 & 2

  • A Temperament Assessment & Training Needs Analysis this ensures your dog is happy and confident working away from home in busy environments.

  • A Dog Training Award Assessment when ready to show you have reached a silver level of training - the recommended level of training in the UK for therapy dogs.


We then continue to support teams with:


  • Temperament reassessments every two years (annually from age eight)

  • Guidance on annual veterinary checks

  • Signposting to appropriate specialist insurance

This ensures therapy dogs remain happy, confident, and safe throughout their working lives.


Clear, Recognised Certification


Once certified, teams receive:

  • A Therapy Dog Training UK certificate

  • Eligibility to purchase official Therapy Dog Training UK identification, including dog coat, lead sheath, bandana, and ID

This gives schools, healthcare providers, and organisations confidence that the dog they are welcoming meets robust, welfare-led standards.

Support You Can Rely On


We don’t disappear once certification is complete. Therapy Dog Training UK offers:

  • Ongoing advice by phone or email

  • Support for schools, healthcare settings, and individual handlers

  • Clear guidance grounded in real-world experience

When you choose Therapy Dog Training UK, you’re choosing a long-term partnership, not just a course.


In Summary: Why Therapy Dog Training UK?

✔ Founded on real-world therapy dog experience✔ Advocate of national training guidelines✔ Ethical, welfare-first approach✔ Positive, force-free training methods✔ CPD-verified online learning✔ UK-wide trusted trainer network✔ Ongoing assessment and lifelong support

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, kind, responsible, and professional route into therapy dog work, Therapy Dog Training UK is here to guide you every step of the way.


Ready to Take the Next Step?


Whether you are:

  • A school or educational setting

  • A healthcare or wellbeing organisation

  • An individual handler wanting to set up as a volunteer or offer a paid for service

  • Or considering a young dog for future therapy work


Therapy Dog Training UK is here to support you with clear guidance, ethical training, and a welfare-first approach.


📞 Have questions or want to talk it through? We’re happy to help you decide whether therapy dog work is right for you and your dog, and which pathway best suits your situation.


👉 Get in touch with us today



 
 
 

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