Thank you for your interest in TLC’s Companion Paws Therapy Dog Program! The website can be found at the following link CompanionPaws.ca Please thoroughly read through all of the information before completing an application form or registration for a First Temperament Assessment to ensure this program is right for you.
The links below will also connect you to the Companion Paws website. The content of this page is the same content as the main page on www.CompanionPaws.ca
Medical studies have confirmed what we all know from experience, spending time with an affectionate pet makes us feel better. In fact, contact with a compassionate animal can significantly improve mental and physical health, as well as reduce stress, depression and anxiety. A pet can make a huge difference in your life.
TLC’s Companion Paws was created to provide the comfort of unconditional love to those needing extra emotional support. In addition, all of the dogs in our adoption program are rescue pets and are now being given a second chance in life.
Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations.
TLC’s Companion Paws also offers a Certify Your Own Dog program. Once completed, these pets are able to serve in a variety of meaningful positions including Personal emotional support, Assisted and Visiting Therapy. For assisted and visiting designations, this is a tremendous opportunity to share your dog’s love with someone in need.
Please note CPC dogs are designated therapy dogs and will not be certified as service dogs. For more information on the difference between therapy, service and guide dogs click here.
The LifeLine Canada offers three certification programs as well as visits with certified Therapy Dog teams. Please read through all the material carefully before completing an application form so we can ensure you are matched to the best program for you.
- Personal Therapy Dog Adoption Program
- Assisted Therapy Dog Adoption Program
- Certify Your Own Therapy Dog Program
Through our Companion Paws program process, we assess and test 3 types of Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs;
Personal Therapy Dog (first program of its kind in Canada): A personal therapy dog (Companion Paws emotional support dog) is a trained, temperament tested, evaluated and certified dog that brings benefits to their owners/handlers that struggle with mental health conditions.
Assisted Therapy Dog: Assisted Therapy Dogs join their handler/owner (typically educators, teachers, psychologists, counsellors and doctors) at their workplace to help their students, clients, customers and/or patients.
Visiting Therapy Dog: Typically, Visiting Therapy Dogs visit hospitals, schools, hospices, nursing homes and more. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to interact with a variety of people while they are on-duty including petting the therapy dog.
Companion Paws Personal Therapy Dog Adoptions
Now is a very exciting time for us here at TLC. We have expanded our Companion Paws Adoption program across the country. Our program is the first of its kind for Personal Therapy Dogs (emotional support dogs) and Canadians in need. If you are interested in knowing more about our Companion Paws Personal Therapy Dog Program, please click the following link Personal Therapy Dog Adoption to take you to the Adoption page for the complete program process details, requirements and how to apply.
Companion Paws Assisted Therapy Dog Adoptions
We have expanded our Companion Paws Adoption program for Assisted Therapy across the country. Our program is the first of its kind for Assisted Therapy. If you are interested in knowing more about our Companion Paws Assisted Therapy Dog Program, please click the following link Assisted Therapy Dog Adoption to take you to the Adoption page for the complete program process details, requirements and how to apply.
Certifying Your Own Dog Companion Paws Therapy Dog
Certifying your own personal pet as a Companion Paws Therapy Dog is available as part of the our program for Personal therapy, Assisted therapy and Visiting therapy. If you have your own very well trained dog and are looking for him or her to become a Companion Paws dog for Personal, Assisted or Visiting therapy, please click the following link Certify Your Own Dog for more information, the complete program process, requirements and how to register for the program.
Visiting Therapy Dog Request for Visits
To request a visit from one or more of our Certified Visiting Therapy Dog Teams, please complete the Visiting Request form at the following link Visiting Request Form
