TOP Dogs needs your help to continue making a difference

Eight dedicated therapy dog handlers realised the positive impact dogs have on people, and for over 13 years they made spreading smiles for miles their motto.

The therapy dog organisation known as TOP Dogs needs the help of more dog handlers and their pets to continue spreading positive energy throughout the country.

To make a difference in the community, TOP Dogs partnered with the Thanda Inja Project to educate pet owners on how to care for their pets and participate in bite-avoidance demonstrations in Daveyton.

They are also the first therapy dog organisation in the world to dress their therapy dogs in court attire for the Court Preparation Programme, which was instrumental in helping the Teddy Bear Foundation win the 2019 Impumelelo award.

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There are three main programmes TOP Dogs are involved in:

Animal-assisted activities

They pay informal visits (referred to as animal-assisted activity visits) to various facilities such as hospitals, frail-care centres, children’s homes, homeless shelters and hospices.

Animal educational programmes (AEP)

Therapy dogs assist adults and children. Their AEP programmes include reading schemes at various schools.

The AEP visit helps to improve the learners’ reading and concentration skills, as the children read to the dogs in a calming, non-judgmental environment. During the “fun time” of the programme, the children learn safe interaction with dogs.

The AEP teaches children how to take care of dogs holistically, as well as bite avoidance.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT)

Some therapy dogs (with their handlers) work one-on-one alongside a professional, such as a physiotherapist or a social worker, in a structured rehabilitation, counselling or learning programme.

Together, as a professional team, they help patients reach clinical goals, such as increased mobility or improved memory.

How to join

To become a TOP Dog handler, you need to own a well-behaved, people and animal-friendly dog. Attend three visits as an observer, where you will learn everything you need to know from the visit leader and then you can book a place on the next TOP Dogs evaluation.

There is an annual membership fee of R100 and the initial cost for the uniform. For more information on how you can make a difference with your pet send an email to info@therapytopdogs.co.za

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