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Test Item 1: Initial Meeting
The dog is seated at the handler's left side. The evaluator approaches
the dog and handler and stands facing the team from a distance
of about 4 feet. The evaluator approaches and enthusiastically
greets and touches (handshake, pat on the arm, etc) the handler.
The evaluator asks the dog's name, loudly repeats the dog's name,
and then circles the dog and handler. The evaluator inspects
the dog, petting the dog and touches ears, mouth, paws and tail.
The evaluator may hug the dog.
Note: This portion of the test is the ideal time for the evaluator
to examine the dog for cleanliness, grooming, health, parasites
and proper weight. The evaluator should nicely and diplomatically
point out potential health problems, excessive weight, and
other issues and make helpful suggestions. |
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Test Item 2: Cane/Awkward Stranger
The dog is seated at the
handler's side, the evaluator approaches with the cane moving
erratically with hunched posture, while
speaking in an odd voice. The evaluator pats the dog on the
head and body and bumps the dog gently with the cane. |
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Test Item 3: Socialization
Groups of people (2-5) stand in a
gathering. If possible dogs (1-2) are present with the group
of people. Medical equipment
(wheelchair, walker, cane and crutches) is present during this
test. The dog and handler walk together with a loose lead threading
through the group of people. The dog may be on either side
of the handler. The group of people mill around and quietly
talk to one another. Creating their own heeling pattern, the
dog and handler make right, about and left turns while meandering
through the gathering of people. The dog and handler wander
casually through the crowd three times. |
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Test Item 4: Food Aggression
The
dog is seated next to the handler facing the evaluator. The evaluator
drops a piece of
food on
the floor. If possible
dogs (1-2) are present with the group of people. The evaluator
instructs the handler to walk past the food with the dog at
the handler's side. The handler and dog then turn and while
walking back, pick up the piece of food. |
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Test Item 5: Walker
While the dog is seated at the handler's
side, the evaluator approaches noisily with the walker. The evaluator
pats the
dog on the head and body and bumps the dog gently with the
walker. |
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Test Item 6: Training
The handler positions the dog to the
left and faces the evaluator. This test is performed with the
use
of a 20' long line. The
handler replaces the leash with the long line and drops the
long line to the ground. Sit: The evaluator asks the handler to sit their dog. The
handler may give more than one command and coax the dog into
position. The handler must not force the dog down into a sit
with their hand.
Down: The evaluator asks the handler (lie) down their dog.
The handler gives the dog the command to down. The handler
may use more than one command. The handler must not force the
dog into position with their hand.
Stay: The evaluator asks the handler to tell
the dog to stay (from either a sit or a down - handler preference).
The handler
gives the dog the command to stay, walks to the end of the
long line and waits for the signal to return. The handler returns
to the dog. The dog should remain in place while the handler
returns to the dog at a normal pace. The handler may tell the
dog to stay more than once and if necessary, back away from
the dog telling the dog to stay repeatedly. The handler may
take a fair period of time, give the dog more than one command
to stay and reposition the dog a few times, if they break the
stay.
Come: The evaluator asks the handler to tell the dog to
stay (from either a sit or a down - handler preference), walk
out
to the long line and after a signal from the evaluator, call
their dog. The handler gives the dog the command to stay, walks
to the long line, turns and after the signal, calls the dog
to come. The handler may use more than one command.
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Test Item 7: Canine
to Canine Interaction Two handlers and their dogs approach
each other from a distance of about 15 feet,
stop
speak to each other, turn and line up
facing the same direction and walk forward for about 10 feet. |
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Test Item 8: Crutches
While the dog is seated at the handler's
side, the evaluator approaches with the crutches, as if disabled.
The evaluator
pats the dog roughly on the head and body and bumps the dog
gently with a crutch. |
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Test Item 9: Human to Canine Iinteraction: Stability
A group
of people (2-5) stand in a gathering. If possible dogs (1-2)
are present with the group of people. Medical equipment
is not present during this portion of the test. The handler
and dog team is exposed to the following diversions: The dog
and handler walk together with a loose lead threading through
the group of people. The dog may be on either side of the handler.
A metal bowl is dropped behind the dog and handler. People
are loudly laughing, talking and slapping each other on the
back. One of the evaluators runs. An evaluator shouts loudly
at another evaluator simulating an argument. An umbrella is
opened and closed. |
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Test Item 10: Working with other
Therapy Dogs An evaluator/test
dog team approaches the handler and dog. The handler and dog
are positioned with the dog seated at the
handler's side. The evaluator/test dog positions themselves
the same way, but facing the handler and dog situated about
5 feet apart. The two teams hold this position for 10 seconds.
The handler/dog team holds their position and the evaluator/test
dog team swing around so they line up along side the team being
tested (as if doing long sits). The teams hold this position
for 10 seconds. |
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Test Item 11: Wheelchair
The handler and dog approaches the
wheelchair from a distance of about 5 feet. The handler leads
the dog up to the wheelchair
and encourages the dog to interact with the evaluator. The
evaluator gently pets the dog and bumps the dog with the wheelchair. |
