[Carina43]

Cooper is certified through TDI. The annual dues are $35.00.

The requirement was simple - passing the CGC and also the TDI testing (I did both on the same day, I think it was $20.00) Dog must be one year old and current on vaccinations. Apart from the testing fee and the annual dues, I didn't spend any money that I wouldn't have anyway.

That's it! I also know someone who takes her Malamutes to nursing homes withoutbeing certtified anywhere, she just called around and asked if she could bring them. I don't know if there's any liability issues to consider, doing it like that.

When Cooper was 5 months old, I had the contract to paint the interior of three nursing homes. I asked if it was OK to bring him with me, and they said sure - so from 5-7 months old, he came a-painting with the crew! That's where I first heard of therapy work, because they had therapy dogs visiting weekly. Cooper now does a weekly visit to a local nursing home, and visits a home for abused children about once a month.