Our Bright Spot Therapy Dog Training Classes started up today at our Northampton location. Classes are held at Animal Alliances which is owned and operated by Kelley Bollen. Kelley is a Bright Spot sponsor and offers us use of her beautiful training facility, which is conveniently located at 137 Damon Road, off the Rte.91 Exit 19.
Our Therapy Dog Training course is a prerequisite for getting evaluated and certified through Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. Participants are trained in the skills and techniques they need to know to become a visiting Therapy Dog Team.
Our Northampton trainer is Dawn Kimball. She just emailed me saying that today’s class is off to a good start. The seven dogs and their handlers are an enthusiastic bunch. Dawn spends a great deal of time in the first session emphasizing good manners and socialization, both needed of any dog that aspires to become a therapy dog. Equipment encountered in a health care environment is also introduced in the first session. Classes are deliberately kept small to allow for plenty of practice time.
Dawn runs a two-session workshop course. Participants leave session one with plenty of homework to practice before they return for session two on January 26th.
In Greenfield, MA, our trainer Pam Murphy, owner of NB Productions Quality Dog Training, runs our 6-weeks Therapy Dog Training course. She will begin a new class on January 22nd. This course is great for dogs and their handlers needing more training time. Both classes cover the same skills, just in different formats.
We get high praise from people taking both classes. Participants feel they are well-prepared for taking their on-site evaluation (at a health care facility), and for beginning their rewarding career in volunteer therapy dog visiting. To learn more about our Therapy Dog Training program and Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, visit our website and click on THERAPY DOG TRAINING. If interested, sign up right away. Classes fill quickly!