Pet therapy is a rather new phenomenon—a practice based on the notion that pets, like people, must receive emotional nurturing and social cultivation in order to live happy, healthy lives. While pet therapists often focus on pets' behavioral problems, they also help educate and train pet owners. This process can be very trying for owners and furry friends alike. Therefore, it's important to select a pet therapist carefully to ensure a positive experience for all.
What should you look for?
For starters, you should aim for a therapist with credentials. Pet therapists do not need a license to practice in the United States, but those who are not licensed generally have recommendations from veterinarians. This should be comforting, as a licensed or recommended therapist is an indication that the individual is knowledgeable, reputable and educated in psychology and/or animal behavior. You wouldn't choose a doctor that didn't go to medical school, right? Afford your pet the same consideration. It's also been said that the most effective therapists have a background in early childcare, so look for this perk when reviewing their credentials or resumes.
Secondly, don't sign anything until you and your pet have met the individual and are mutually at ease. The ideal candidate should have an obvious love for animals. He or she should be patient, relaxed and energetic. Your pet will cooperate best with a person with whom he is comfortable and affectionate. Steer clear of those who treat the interactions as a business transaction; such a therapist is likely to rush through training and coerce you into purchasing unnecessary goods or services simply for their own profit.
A good pet therapist will devote an equal, if not more, amount of energy to educating you as they do assessing your pet's needs. He or she should spend significant time researching your pet's past behaviors, environments and experiences. They should also address your attempts at behavioral modification. The therapist should educate you about the training exercises and why they're used, how your animal communicates and the cause of their behavior or emotional distress. He or she should also teach you how to continue the training after the sessions are completed. Again, avoid working with a therapist who keeps you reliant on him or her in an effort to gain future business. Any good doctor or therapist's goal should be to fix the problem, not perpetuate it.
Finally, make certain your potential pet therapist has pets at home. Working with a lone pet therapist is like getting advice from a divorced marriage counselor. A therapist with a genuine affection for animals does not leave work at the office—they are surrounded by it! Also, keep in mind that though you are being attended to, your pet is the one to whom the therapist's primary focus should be turned. Therefore, pay lots of attention to the way you beloved pet receives this new person. If your pet seems hesitant to comply with the therapist, is aggressive, defensive or seemingly afraid, choose another therapist.
