[2rotties2luv]

Delta Society and Therapy Dogs International do not require prospective therapy dogs to have passed the CGC test. However, part of the evaluation testing for those organizations consists of exercises that are the same as - or very similar to - the exercises for the CGC.

It is not enough for a dog to be friendly and good natured in order to be a therapy dog. A therapy dog must also have a calm and confident manner and must be a dog who is not easily frightened or excitable. The ideal therapy dog is intelligent and can read people well - and is not pushy or a kisser.

As rottie owners we must be aware that our dogs will be held to a higher standard than other therapy dogs - simply because of the awful reputation that has been given to the breed by the media and the ignorant.

Delta Society does not provide certification for their Pet Partners (therapy dogs) - they only register them. However, they do provide liability insurance when the Pet Partner team is registered. This is partly why the evaluation and testing to become a pet partner is so difficult.