Become a Therapy Dog Handler
Join Our Therapy Dogs Handler Course, you and your dog will learn how to offer comfort, connection, and emotional support to those who need it most. With expert guidance, flexible learning, and real-world practice, you’ll become a confident, caring therapy dog team—ready to make tails wag and hearts heal. Upon completion, you’ll receive a Lantra-Awarded Certificate of Achievement, recognising your dedication and practical skills in the field of pet therapy
Is Your Dog Right for Therapy Work?
Every therapy dog starts with a heart full of kindness—but not every dog is suited to this special role. This course is designed to guide compassionate dog owners who want to explore therapy dog training and build the calm, connected team it requires. Your dog should be: Calm and composed in busy or unfamiliar environments Sociable—enjoys human attention without jumping up or overwhelming people Emotionally resilient—able to settle, reset, and stay grounded in new situations Bonded to their owner—trusts and listens even around distractions Friendly toward dogs and animals Show curiosity without excitement or reactivity
Are you able to do this course?
The Therapy Team - Two Halves of One Heart. Becoming a therapy team is more than training cues and brushing coats—it’s about emotional presence, self-awareness, and long-term partnership between human and dog. Do you have the time to visit people once you have completed the course? Do you have a caring nature? Do you have Good Emotional well-being? Do you have self-awareness, recognising your own stress, triggers, and emotional limits? Do you have emotional regulation? Your energy affects your dog and those around you. Do you have commitment to learning, open to feedback, evolving as a team, listen to instruction and take guidance? Do you have people skills? Are you able to engage with warmth and professional boundaries which supports both dog and clients equally? Do you have resilience and can remain steady and focused even when clients cry, vent, or behave unpredictably?
On Completion
Our LANTRA-accredited customised training course, offers more than just training—it’s a gateway to meaningful volunteering and professional recognition. What You’ll Gain - A nationally recognised LANTRA Customised Award that showcases your commitment to high standards in therapy dog training. Specialist Knowledge - Learn ethical, welfare-focused techniques to train your dog for therapeutic visits in schools, care homes, hospitals, and community settings. Volunteer as a Therapy Dog Team - Make a real impact by supporting emotional wellbeing in educational, healthcare, and social care environments. Join our Growing Network - Become part of our community of trained therapy dog teams advancing professional standards across the UK. Enhance Your Career - Whether you're in education, care, or animal welfare, or just want to make a difference, this course adds a valuable credential to your portfolio. Open to all, members of public & professionals
Approach and Learning Structure
Approach and Learning Structure The School of Dogs® Therapy Dog Training Programme uses a blended learning model designed to promote deep understanding, practical competence, and reflective practice. Over a 6 too 12-month duration, learners follow a structured pet therapy dog training curriculum that integrates multiple modes of deliver: E-Learning Modules Participants progress through a series of carefully sequenced online lessons, grounded in evidence-based theory and best practices in animal-assisted interventions. These modules offer flexible, self-paced study while maintaining academic rigour. Dog Training Skills Train your dog to an exceptionally high standard of obedience, preparing you both to work confidently in multiple environments as a therapy team. Monthly Live Classes Learners attend interactive, tutor-led sessions that reinforce key concepts, encourage peer discussion, and provide opportunities for real-time feedback and clarification. Intensive 3-Day Practical Workshop At the end of the course, learners and their dogs take part in a hands-on residential workshop. This immersive experience allows them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, under the guidance of experienced instructors. Throughout the course, learners benefit from ongoing support and mentorship. They will be required to dedicate a minimum of twenty hours per month to learning and training. This ensures they are fully prepared to grow into confident, compassionate, and competent therapy dog teams.
Meet Your Instructor, Lee Ferry
Meet Your Instructor: Lee Ferry Founder of School of Dogs® Degree-Qualified Canine Behaviourist | Therapy Dog Specialist With over 24 years of hands-on experience and a Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training from Hull University, Lee Ferry has helped train more than 5,000 dogs using only positive, science-based methods. Lee’s unique blend of academic knowledge and real-world expertise ensures that every therapy dog team is trained with compassion, professionalism, and proven techniques. Lee's Specialist Areas of Study Canine Behaviour and Training Canine Psychology & Development Inappropriate Canine Behaviour Psychopharmacology Breeding & Genetics Canine Nutrition & Behaviour Canine Welfare & Legislation Dog Training Instruction (Beginner to Advanced) Agility Instruction (to Competition Level) Lee's Professional Qualifications & Memberships Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training (3 years, Hull University) Victoria Stilwell Positive Dog Trainer (VSPDT) (2018–2024) Member of the Professional Pet Guild (PPG) (2018 -2025) Certified Instructor & Assessor – Pet Dog Ambassador (PPG) Certified Instructor – Absolute Dogs Certified Pet Scent Dog Trainer Certified Dog Trainer – Darwin Assistance Dogs School Therapy Dog Trainer – Course Designer & Accreditor Therapy Dog Handler Trainer - Course Designer & Accreditor Lee's Specialist Experience Mountain Rescue Search Dog England – Fully Graded Handler (10 years, retired 2012) Pre-Stage Training Officer – Mountain Rescue Search Dog England (Elected 2025) Natural Way Sheepdog Training – Beginner to Advanced (3 years) Instructor/Demonstrator – Natural Way Sheepdog Training (Ongoing) Work-Based Placement – HMSO Prison Detection Dogs (6 months) Agility Instructor – Certified to Competition Level Designed and developed a School Dog Therapy Course certified by LANTRA, training numerous school therapy dogs across the North East of England Lee's Background in Youth and Community Work Before becoming a dog trainer, Lee gained a degree from Durham University in Youth and Community Work. He worked professionally within youth services for 20 years, culminating in his role as Principal Officer for Sunderland City Council Youth Services. In this role, Lee was responsible for engaging young people in positive activities to help minimise antisocial behaviours.
Unlock the Journey
Train with School of Dogs® – Become a Therapy Dog Team For just £1,450, you’ll receive 12 months of expert-led training designed to prepare you and your dog for professional therapy work in Schools, Care Homes, Hospitals, and Community settings. Your enrolment includes: Full access to our state-of-the-art online e-learning platform, featuring: Over 150 lessons and training videos Evidence-based modules Interactive content Monthly live Zoom lectures with Lee Ferry, one of the UK’s leading therapy dog educators A practical weekend training course to build real-world confidence and competence Nationally recognised LANTRA Customised Award Membership to the School of Dogs® Pet Therapy Organisation, connecting you to a professional network and ongoing support Direct access to Lee throughout the course for mentorship and guidance This is more than a course—it’s a complete professional development pathway for those who want to make a meaningful impact through therapy dog work. Course completion time: 6–12 months Therapy Dog Course Payment Plans Option 1 Full Payment Pay £1,475 in full at the time of booking. Option 2 4-Month Installment Plan Deposit: £295 Remaining Balance: £1,180 Payments: 4 monthly installments of £295 Option 3 6-Month Installment Plan Deposit: £295 Remaining Balance: £1,180 Payments: 6 monthly installments of £196.67 Option 4 11-Month Installment Plan Deposit: £122.92 Remaining Balance: £1,352.08 Payments: 11 monthly installments of £122.92 Important Notes Payments are due on the same date each month following your deposit. All payments must be completed before the training weekend. Failure to keep up with payments may result in suspension of access to the training course. All payments are secure, via our online payment gateway.
Curious to Uncover the Magic of the Therapy Dog Course?
If you’d like to discuss whether the School of Dogs® Pet Therapy Dog Training Programme is right for you, please contact our Course Coordinator. They’ll guide you through every aspect of the programme, answer your questions, and take the time to learn more about you and your goals. 📞 Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am – 4:00pm We’re here to help you take the next step toward becoming a confident, compassionate, and professionally recognised therapy dog team. Telephone: 01388 309748
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