✔ University-level, welfare-centred training covering suitability, training, visits, ethics, and professional standards.
✔ Clear, evidence-based guidance on preparing dogs for therapy work without compromising emotional or physical wellbeing.
✔ Designed to develop confident, ethical therapy dog teams capable of working safely in schools, hospitals, and care settings.
£69.99
The ACL Therapy Assistant Dog course is a comprehensive, professional training programme designed to prepare dogs and handlers to work safely, ethically, and effectively in therapy settings such as schools, hospitals, hospices, and care homes. The course treats therapy dog work as a structured, welfare-led professional practice, not informal volunteering or casual interaction.
Rather than focusing solely on obedience or friendliness, the programme develops emotional regulation, behavioural reliability, ethical judgement, and professional conduct. Learners are guided through the full journey of therapy dog preparation — from suitability assessment and welfare evaluation to structured training, visit management, legal responsibilities, and long-term programme sustainability.
Across ten in-depth modules, the course integrates behavioural science, learning theory, canine welfare, human well-being, safeguarding, and reflective practice. Strong emphasis is placed on canine consent, stress management, professional boundaries, and risk awareness, ensuring that therapy work benefits people without compromising the dog’s physical or emotional health.
The course is written to a university-level standard and balances theory with practical application. Learners gain clear frameworks for assessing dogs objectively, training calmly and ethically, managing therapy visits responsibly, and working collaboratively with organisations and care providers.
Delivered through online distance learning, the ACL Therapy Assistant Dog course is self-paced and suitable for progression into voluntary, professional, or organisational therapy dog work. It supports learners in developing confident, credible, and welfare-focused therapy dog teams.
The ACL Therapy Assistant Dog course is designed for individuals who want to work responsibly with dogs in therapeutic and community support roles.
It is ideal for:
Dog owners wishing to train and certify their dog for therapy work
Volunteers supporting emotional wellbeing in care and education settings
Dog trainers expanding into therapy or community-based services
Educators, healthcare professionals, and carers integrating therapy dogs
Individuals passionate about mental health, welfare, and animal-assisted support
No prior professional dog training qualification is required, though a strong commitment to ethical practice and canine welfare is essential.
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Critically evaluate the role and limitations of therapy dogs in different settings
Assess canine suitability using behavioural, emotional, and welfare criteria
Apply ethical, evidence-based training and socialisation methods
Prepare and manage therapy visits safely and professionally
Understand certification, insurance, and legal responsibilities
Protect canine welfare through stress recognition and workload management
Communicate professionally with organisations, staff, and service users
Develop sustainable, ethical therapy dog programmes
Learners complete the course equipped to work confidently as part of a responsible therapy dog team, prioritising welfare, safety, and professional integrity.
Module One: Introduction to Therapy Dogs
Foundations of therapy dog work, scope of practice, and ethical responsibility.
Module Two: Assessing Your Dog’s Suitability
Temperament, behaviour, health, resilience, and welfare-led decision-making.
Module Three: Training Foundations for Therapy Dogs
Learning theory, obedience in context, emotional regulation, and disengagement.
Module Four: Socialisation, Handling & Desensitisation
Safe interaction, consent-based handling, and environmental confidence.
Module Five: Preparing for Therapy Visits
Visit structure, risk assessment, infection control, and setting-specific demands.
Module Six: Certification & Legal Considerations
Registration pathways, insurance, safeguarding, and professional accountability.
Module Seven: Human Well-Being & Animal-Assisted Support
Understanding therapeutic impact while maintaining realistic boundaries.
Module Eight: Canine Welfare, Stress Management & Ethics
Recognising stress, managing workload, and advocating for the dog.
Module Nine: Professional Conduct & Communication
Working with organisations, managing expectations, and reflective practice.
Module Ten: Building & Sustaining a Therapy Dog Programme
Programme design, long-term planning, and ethical retirement considerations.
