I Want My Puppy to Be My Therapy Dog.....

It seems to be an increasing trend for families to request a puppy as a “therapy dog prospect,” and I’ll be honest, I dread these applications, simply because there are so many variables involved.
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In formal service and therapy dog programs that support people with disabilities, a large percentage of dogs (often around 70%) do not complete certification. That’s not because they’re “bad” dogs. The standards, environments, and expectations in those programs are extremely specific and very high, and not every wonderful dog is suited to that kind of work.

A family companion who offers emotional support, comfort, and a calming presence is a bit different than a formally certified service, facility, or therapy dog. Our dogs have been very successful in those “therapy-type” roles. We currently have two grief-support dogs working at a local funeral home, and we’ve had dogs participate in the therapy dog program at West Virginia University.

Even so, there are still many moving parts: the home environment, the handler’s consistency, the type of work envisioned, and the dog’s individual temperament and maturity. A good trainer and clear, realistic goals are absolutely essential. We are always happy to help guide families toward a puppy that may have the right temperament for this kind of work—with the understanding that we cannot promise an 8–12 week-old baby will grow up to retrieve heart medication off the counter on command.

When we talk about emotional support, it’s important to remember that many dogs naturally respond to “their person’s” emotions, and Labradors especially love helping, comforting, and snuggling. But puppies also need structure: clear boundaries, socialization, and consistent communication. We never want a puppy placed in a situation where, for example, an owner is fearful of public places and therefore never socializes the dog, then later feels disappointed that the dog is unsure or reactive in public settings. In those cases, the puppy has been unintentionally set up to fail, and that isn’t fair to the dog.

Our priority—always—is happy, well-adjusted puppies and adult dogs. We strongly encourage puppy classes, ongoing training, and appropriate exposure to the world as they grow. Labradors are, in many ways, born “half-trained.” They come with so much goodwill, intelligence, and desire to please. Most long-term training and behavior issues stem not from the dog, but from a lack of guidance, boundaries, and follow-through from the humans on the other end of the leash.
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With the right expectations, support, and commitment, a Labrador can be an incredible emotional partner...whether or not they ever earn a formal therapy or service dog title.