Have you ever watched dog owners and their canine friends, observed the bond, the joy, love and companionship they share? How many times have you observed or experienced the empathy a dog expresses toward his owner or a stranger who may be crying or sad?

Therapy Dogs International (TDI) has been regulating, testing, selecting and certifying therapy dogs and handlers to bring joy, empathy and peaceful feeling to those in hospitals, nursing homes and anywhere there are people who would benefit from being in the company of a dog.

TDI has strict guidelines and standards that must be met to ensure dogs and their owners work well together. And although it is not a requirement by TDI, dogs and their handlers are encouraged to successfully complete a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class before considering becoming a therapy team.

“It's better to take a class because you learn what is expected of you and your dog,” dog trainer Jean Conte said. “The more comfortable you are with each other, and being around other dogs the better it will be for you.”

Conte has been a dog trainer for 51 years and began offering a dog therapy evaluation preparatory course in 2010 at Senior Spectrum in Damariscotta. She has had therapy dogs of her own since 1990 in Utica, N.Y. There, two of her own shepherds, Dusty and Peter, were two of 10 therapy dogs that visited the Masonic Home, hospitals and nursing homes.

Her current class, which ends April 11, has four canine pupils and is held at the Lincoln Home in Newcastle. All four (two Golden Retrievers, an American Bulldog, and a black Labrador Retriever) earned their Canine Good Citizen certification with Conte.

The class was joined by a few of the Lincoln Home residents who enjoy watching the dogs. One at a time the dogs go over and greet them, some in wheelchairs, before returning to their lesson.

There are 13 tests a dog and handler must pass to apply for certification from TDI. Dogs must be comfortable having a lot of people around them, and be comfortable around children,  people in wheelchairs and those using walkers or on crutches. Complete test requirements may be viewed on TDI's website, www.tdi-dog.org/.

What made these dog owners decide to have a therapy dog? All of them said their dog loved people and were friendly.

Martha Tait has had Mollie for a few short months, from an owner surrender situation. “I decided to do this because of her disposition. I think it must be the breed, because I have never had a dog that was so gentle and responsive,” Tait said. “The residents who come down here to watch the classes enjoy seeing the dogs. They say 'I had a dog like this,' or  'She reminds me of my dog.'”

Reverend David Ray and his wife Carolyn also share their home with a Golden Retriever. Ray said the notion of training Nell as a therapy dog was his wife's idea. “Nell started with the Canine Good Citizen class and we thought she had a good temperament to be a therapy dog,” David Ray said.

“It's very good therapy for our residents; its soothing for them,” said Rhonda Hanna, activity/community life director at the Lincoln Home. “We had two therapy dogs here today that visit once a month. The residents brush the dogs, pet them … it's soothing for them.”

One resident, Arlene Wilson, was petting Mollie while talking to her, “Aren't you a good girl … good as gold … you are such a sweetie.”

Wilson, a former high school teacher in Cranston, R.I., said she enjoys watching the training. “I like it for the entertainment and the training is very difficult to do, I'm sure.”

“Seeing and petting dogs can be very healing for the residents,” Lincoln Home Aide Carolyn Howard said.

Bob and Jana Beattie, residents of the Lincoln Home, recently had to put down their Husky of 16 years.

“I just love dogs,” Jana Beattie said. “They are fun to watch. I love Millie.”

On April 21, Mollie, Millie and their handlers will be going to Winterport for TDI testing by a Therapy Dog International evaluator.

On June 1, Positively Best Friends in Edgecomb will begin offering a TDI preparation course. Trainer Pam Parker of PBF said a number of people had asked them to offer the Therapy Dog evaluation prep class. Parker is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a CGC evaluator. She has been an instructor at PBF since it opened in April just two years ago.

Before dogs may be enrolled, they must complete “I'm Certifiable I,” which began April 6. That course covers the basic skills necessary for TDI certification. In “I'm Certifiable II,” beginning June 1, both dogs and their owners will be exposed to the challenges of the therapy dog team.

Some people are mistrustful of some breeds or large dogs, but a therapy dog can be any breed. For example, Parker said American Pit Bull Terriers, despite their bad reputation, make some of the best therapy dogs. “You judge the dog, not the breed,” Parker said. “I will do an assessment of the dogs when they come to the class to see what their skill level is.

“You look for a dog with a fairly easy going personality; a fairly unflappable dog. One that listens to commands: sit, stay, leave it.”

“Dogs are keen evaluators of behavior and body language,” Parker said. “Some therapy dogs have found their calling. They are able to intuit what the patient in the nursing home need and it it is heartwarming to watch. Sometimes they lie on a patient's bed while they pet their head.”

Visit www.positivelybestfriends.com for more information. To reach Conte for information on upcoming classes, call 207-633-4177.