Starting April 6, 2013, Positively Best Friends (PBF) Dog Training is offering, “I’m Certifiable!” Canine Good Citizen (CGC) training course and evaluation. Dog and handler teams who have passed the CGC evaluation are eligible to enroll in a new training course and evaluation for certification by Therapy Dog International starting June 1, 2013.

Therapy Dogs International (TDI) is a volunteer group organized to provide qualified handlers and their Therapy Dogs for visitations to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, hospice care facilities and any other place where Therapy Dogs are needed. The primary objective of the TDI dog and handler is to provide comfort and companionship by sharing the dog with the patients. This is done in a way that increases emotional well-being, promotes healing, and improves the quality of life for the people being visited and the staff that cares for these people. TDI is a nonprofit organization. There is no charge for visitations.

In order to be certified by TDI, dog and handler teams must complete a thorough evaluation of the skills necessary for safe and successful therapy dog work. Those skills include; calm and friendly behavior with distractions in different situations; acceptance of different sounds, smells and equipment; excellent greeting and handling behaviors; and the ability to work in close proximity to other handlers and dogs.

Positively Best Friends is offering two courses to thoroughly prepare dog and handler therapy candidates for successful TDI evaluation.

The “I’m Certifiable I!” CGC course presents the basic skills essential for TDI certification starts Saturday April 6, 2013 at 12:30 PM and concludes with an official CGC evaluation.

Dog and handler teams interested in the “I’m Certifiable II!” TDI Preparation Course and evaluation must already have their CGC certificate or must demonstrate mastery of the CGC skills. Starting Saturday June 1 at 12:30 p.m., the TDI Preparation Course will train the specific skills and expose dogs and handlers to environments and challenges similar to what they will encounter as certified therapy dog teams. The course will end with official TDI testing.

Positively Best Friends is Mid-Coast Maine’s premier dog training facility with over 2,000 square feet of indoor, climate controlled, training space and nationally certified instructors. Located minutes from Route 1 and very convenient to Boothbay, Damariscotta and Wiscasset, PBF offers diverse training opportunities that provides dogs and their owners with a positive educational and recreational experience in a relaxed, comfortable, supportive and friendly atmosphere.

For more information about the CGC and TDI courses call 207-882-7297 or e-mail marcia@positivelybestfriends.com/. Positively Best Friends! Where training is fun at both ends of the leash!