Pawsitive Squad CIC Paws of Hope, Paws of Love, Paws of Life |
Therapy dog bronze award
The bronze award program which ensures everyone accessing the therapy or community assistance dog program has the same foundation knowledge & handling skills as well as that the dogs are at a stage of their training that they can begin training therapy dog specific tasks & behaviours and that they're ready to begin training to work in therapeutic environments with their handler.
The bronze award includes:
- Access to group zoom classes covering bronze obedience, behaviour management & core skill sessions (covering things like boundary training).
- Access to pre-recorded training videos.
- One 15 minute 1:1 session per month with the head trainer, which provides an opportunity to discuss more about your goals, the dogs previous training & your handling experience and any reasonable adjustments. This is also an opportunity to ask us any questions. (Doing one, 1:1 prior to passing the bronze award is mandatory, though a parent/carer or representative can attend on behalf of the client for assistance dog applicants).
- Virtual self guided learning portal (like Moodle - but through your own members area on this website).
- Virtual live (via zoom) bronze award assessment (can be completed in person in Nottingham if preferred).
- Access to the Pawsitive Squad Facebook support group.
- Access to parent, carer & professionals social zoom chat.
The bronze award does also include theory assignments which aim to ensure you have processed and obtained all theory information covered within the program. For the bronze award you've invited to demonstrate you've met the learning theory outcomes in a format of your choice.
PLEASE NOTE: joining the Bronze award is NOT acceptance onto the therapy or community assistance dog program and you cannot use membership at this level as evidence your dog is in training as a therapy dog. Dogs on our bronze award program MUST NOT be training in non pet dog friendly businesses (even with permission) or training in any equipment which labels them as a therapy dog in training.
**IF the application below isn't showing the 'captcha - i am not a robot verification' please turn your device to landscape and zoom out**
What is covered in the Bronze award?
In the bronze award, we give you access to training covering:
- Follow a target
- Watch when you say your dogs name
- Sit
- Lie Down
- Wait for food
- Leave items which they are never allowed
- Basic recall
- Walk on a loose lead
- Socialisation skills
- Managing minor & common undesirable behaviours
- Promoting emotional stability & confidence
Alongside the practical behaviours we teach in the zoom sessions, there is a bronze award theory program. You will need to read/ listen to the information in the theory section (average around 3 hours to complete).
Our bronze award is different to any other organisations training awards and therefore we do not accept any other achievement (such as the kennel club good citizen awards) as replacement for the bronze award. However, some people who have completed training elsewhere can get through the bronze award quickly.
FAQ's
Q: When can we start the bronze award?
A: You can sign up at any point for your bronze award membership but it can take us up to 10 days to verify and accept access to the program as this is a manual process. Once you've been granted access to the website bronze award account, we will email you a document with information on how to access all parts of the program and inviting you to join the members Facebook group.
Q: I'm an experienced dog owner OR my dog previously worked as a therapy dog - Do I still have to do the bronze award?
A: Yes - but you do not need to spend a set amount of time on the program. Highly experienced handlers with dogs who've already had a strong training foundation could complete the bronze award in just 1 month, if they meet all the requirements to do so.
Q: What methods & ethos do you use for dog training?
A: We use positive reinforcement and game based training. We do not permit 'balanced' training, aversive methods or equipment.
Q: How many assessments are there?
A: You will have 1 virtual zoom practical assessment and a theory assignment. The theory assignment can be presented in a format of your choosing but must demonstrate that you've understood and met all the learning outcomes.
Q: What if we don't pass the assessment?
A: Usually, not passing the first attempt doesn't change anything, you can simply try again.
The only exception would be if we saw something which tells us your dog will never be suitable, such as aggression. If your dog wasn't quite ready to achieve the bronze award, we will tell you why and what to do about it (either, keep practicing, specific classes to try or potentially advise to access a separate canine behaviourist to work on undesirable behaviours such as barking.)
Q: I already have a dog trainer, can I do this with them?
A: You can continue to use another trainer while doing the bronze award, as long as you do not share any of our resources, exercises etc with them. Please note however that sometimes, even really great pet dog trainers, may train in a way which isn't suitable for assistance dogs in training or may use equipment which we do not permit.... for example, many positive reinforcement dog trainers will use treat luring to train and this is completely fine and great for pet dogs but not the best for therapy dogs, you'll need to demonstrate handling and training with our techniques to pass the bronze.
Once you have passed the bronze award, to join the therapy/ community assistance dog program you'll not be able to continue working with any other trainers, this will be covered in your client agreement.
Q: What do I need to have ready to do the bronze award assessment?
A: to pass the assessment you will need:
- to attend and pass the live zoom assessment
- to pass the theory aspect of the assessment through a theory project.
- for your dog to be microchipped and this registered in your name.
- for your dog to be up to date with vaccines & prophylactic flea & wormer.
- for your dog to have had a health check in the last 6 months and a copy of this to be provided. If your dog has any underlying conditions your vet will need to provide written confirmation that this will not impact on their ability to train or work as a therapy dog.
- to have attended at least one group zoom class.
- to have attended at least one 1:1 zoom.
Q: If we pass does that mean we are automatically eligible for the therapy & CAD program?
A: As long as you meet the other eligibility for the therapy dog program then yes you will be invited to join the therapy dog program upon successfully passing the bronze award.
Ready to sign up?
If you're ready to sign up, please use the form below to join. You'll need to have your payment method ready. If you're wanting a third party (such as the organisation for which you do not have a company card) to pay for your membership please select 'pay offline'.
Got a question before you're ready to sign up?
Feel free to drop us an email with any questions to enquiries@pawsitivesquad.co.uk or a WhatsApp voice message/ text (please don't call) to07548 825 101 and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
©copyright 2018-2022 Pawsitive Squad CIC. All rights Reserved. Pawsitive Squad is a registered community interest company (non profit organisation) number 1145 1119 (England and Wales) | enquiries@pawsitivesquad.co.uk |
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