Student Program:
Certified Student Program of Therapy Dog Elderly Care
4-weeks short course
STUDENT PROGRAM:
CERTIFIED THERAPY DOG FOR ELDERLY CARE
(4-weeks Short Course)
Program Objectives
Course Duration (4-weeks Short Course)
Theoretical Training : 7 hours
Practical Training : 8 hours / 3 times
Therapy Design : 4 hours
- Theoretical Training : 7 hours (online platform).
- Practical Training : 8 hours (on-site sessions / 3 times or 2-3 hours for each session).
- Therapy Design : 4 hours (on-site session/ 2 times or 2-3 hours for each session).
- Total: 19 hours of structured learning, with up to two absences allowed for practical sessions.
- Internship: Therapy sessions with elderly patients under expert supervision.
- Certificate: Upon successful completion of the internship, participants will receive a certificate titled “Certificate of Completion for the Student Program: Therapy Dog for Elderly Care,” along with an endorsement letter confirming their participation in the training and internship with elderly individuals at nursing homes, elderly care facilities, senior residences, or venues where elderly individuals reside or engage in activities.
Training Program Format
This training program is designed with a focus on fostering a society that embraces the role of dogs in sustainable elderly care within families. To achieve this, we encourage guardians to actively participate in the program alongside students. The training is offered in a Trio Team format, comprising two guardians and one dog per team.
The program follows an English – Thai language approach:
Online Theory sessions will be delivered by nationally recognized experts in Thai, with English subtitles provided.
Practical training sessions will be conducted in Thai, and student volunteers will provide simultaneous English interpretation. This approach ensures that guardians who may not be proficient in English can engage fully and gain knowledge alongside the students.
This inclusive structure promotes collaboration and mutual understanding, enhancing the learning experience for all participants.
What Participants Will Gain
- Certificate: A formal certification upon completion of the “Student Program of Therapy Dog for Elderly Care” course, along with a participation letter and internship acknowledgment.
- Experience: Practical training under the guidance of medical experts from trusted Thai institutions specializing in elderly care.
- Knowledge:Understanding alternative therapy methods meeting global standards based on the Therapy Dog Association Switzerland (VTHS) curriculum.
- Application Skills: Ability to use therapy dogs to foster familial bonds and improve relationships.
Program Content
- Fundamentals of therapy dogs and their impact on healthcare and therapy sectors.
- Global context of therapy dog teams in medical applications.
- Training therapy dog teams to assist in elderly care.
- Psychology and understanding the unique needs of elderly patients.
- Designing therapy sessions incorporating dogs for physical rehabilitation and emotional care.
- Theoretical and practical evaluations on using therapy dogs for elderly care.
- Hands-on internships with elderly patients in healthcare facilities
Eligibility Criteria
For Owners:
- Must be aged 14-22 year (=/+/- 5 months)
- Must have lived with the dog in the same household for at least 6 months.
- Must be in good health without communicable diseases.
- Must be able to attend all scheduled training sessions.
For Dogs:
- Aged 1 years –7 years (± 5 months).
- Not aggressive, not fierce, does not bite people or other dogs
- Friendly towards people and other animals.
- Healthy, without skin conditions or contagious diseases, and up-to-date on vaccinations and preventative treatments.
Program Fees
- Duo Team (1 Owner + 1 Dog): 29,500 THB
- Trio Team (2 Owners + 1 Dog): 46,500 THB
- Special Rate: 9,560 THB for students from partner institutions (applies to both Duo and Trio types).
- Parents can also join as part of the Trio option.
- Graduates seeking certification as a Therapy Dog Thailand Team may upgrade by paying the difference and joining advanced training.
Certification
Students and guardians participating in the training will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Student Program: Therapy Dog for Elderly Care.
Volunteer interpreters will be awarded a Certificate of Social Service Participation under the Give to Give initiative by Therapy Dog Thailand, recognizing their role as language interpreters.
Application Process
- Complete the Application Form
Submit the form online along with a photo of you and your dog. Pay a 500 THB application fee, which can be applied as a discount upon passing the initial evaluation.Apply Here
- Initial Consultation
A team member will contact you to discuss your background and goals. - Health & Capability Tests
Pay 3,650 THB for evaluation, which includes:
- Dog assessment by specialists to evaluate suitability.
- Health checks performed by certified veterinarians at partner hospitals.
Note: If your dog does not pass, you may reapply with a 25% discount on the next evaluation.
- Preliminary Testing
Attend with your dog on a scheduled date for capability assessment. - Course Payment
Make the payment, minus the 500 THB application discount, upon passing the assessment.
Background of the Therapy Dog Project in Thailand
allfine initiated the “Therapy Dog Thailand” to establish the country’s first internationally accredited “Therapy Dog Thailand Team” This milestone was achieved through collaboration with the Therapy Dog Association Switzerland (VTHS), whose training curriculum is designed to unlock the potential of both dog owners and their dogs, transforming them into therapeutic partners. These teams bring love and joy to various groups and, most importantly, assist medical professionals in breaking emotional barriers to improve patient outcomes.
The “Certified Therapy Dog Thailand Course” was developed alongside leading Thai experts specializing in the care of diverse populations. This course prepares therapy dog teams to support elderly individuals, children, individuals with special needs, persons with disabilities, and those with depression. The overarching goal is to position therapy dogs as a complementary medical tool for enhancing both the physical and emotional well-being of patients in Thailand.
Collaborations have been established with organizations such as:
- The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
- Srithanya Hospital
- The Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage
- The Foundation for the Deaf under the Royal Patronage
- The Department of Medical Services
- Special Education Centers
- The Royal Thai Police K-9 Unit
- The Thai Veterinary Association
- Various dog training institutes
“Certified Therapy Dog Thailand Course for Visiting All People”
The first program launched under this initiative is an 8-month course aimed at developing therapy dog teams capable of providing physical and emotional relief for a broad range of individuals, including children, the elderly, patients, and those with special needs or disabilities.
The course integrates theoretical knowledge and practical application, emphasizing the development of owners’ understanding of:
- The physical and emotional needs of different groups.
- How to design and implement therapy programs using dogs as mediators.
- Empathy-based approaches to humanize care and reconnect patients with life through interactions with animals.
Upon completion, owners and their dogs are certified and invited to join the Therapy Dog Association of Thailand to contribute to therapy initiatives in healthcare facilities, schools, and community centers.
Short Courses for Students
In response to growing demand, a 4-Weeks short course was introduced for students, focusing specifically on elderly care. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills to incorporate therapy dogs into caregiving for elderly family members.
Benefits of the Program for Students:
- Gain practical experience through internships in healthcare facilities.
- Receive a certificate that enhances applications to leading international institutions.
- Develop empathy, understanding, and caregiving skills.
Future Vision
The Therapy Dog Team of Thailand is envisioned to become an essential tool for Thai families, communities, and the medical field, comparable to similar efforts in other countries such as:
- Japan (International Therapy Dog Association)
- Singapore (Therapy Dogs Singapore)
- Hong Kong (Hong Kong Therapy Dog Association)
Through initiatives like the “Give to Give” program, Allfine and the Therapy Dog Association aim to share knowledge with young people, helping them foster love, happiness, and self-worth while understanding the value of others.
In the near future, Thailand is expected to establish a new standard of natural, internationally recognized therapy methods, benefiting patients by restoring their vitality and bringing smiles to their faces.
