The Therapy Dog Formula Blueprint™
Prepare your dog–handler team for safe, ethical and sustainable participation in Animal-Assisted Services.
A comprehensive online programme combining practical training, canine welfare, handler development and professional AAS preparation.
CPD Certified | Lifetime Access | Practical Training & Support
Preparing an AAS Dog Takes More Than Good Behaviour
A friendly, well-trained dog is only the beginning.
Successful Animal-Assisted Services depend on the relationship between the dog, handler, proposed role, working environment and participants.
The Therapy Dog Formula Blueprint™ gives you the knowledge and practical skills to prepare your team thoughtfully, ethically and with long-term welfare at the centre of the process.
Why Choose This Programme?
Role-Specific Preparation
Prepare for the work you actually intend to undertake rather than a generic “therapy dog” standard.
Dog Welfare at the Centre
Learn to recognise communication, changing capacity, workload and recovery.
Develop Handler Skills
Build observation, decision-making and advocacy skills alongside your dog’s training.
Professional AAS Knowledge
Understand participants, working environments, safety, ethics and appropriate role boundaries.
Pathway to Assessment
Prepare towards PATS practical assessment and role-specific certification.
The Challenge
Having a friendly, well-behaved dog is not enough on its own.
Working safely and effectively in Animal-Assisted Services requires an understanding of your dog, your role, your participants and the environment in which you will be working.
You need to know how to recognise your dog’s communication, prepare for real-world demands, manage interactions appropriately and protect your dog’s welfare throughout their working life.
That’s where the Therapy Dog Formula Blueprint™ comes in.
The programme gives you a structured pathway to develop both the dog and handler skills needed for thoughtful, ethical and sustainable participation in Animal-Assisted Services.
Develop the Team
Not Just the Dog
Learn reinforcement-based training alongside the practical and professional skills needed for Animal-Assisted Services.
You’ll learn how to prepare behaviours for real-world use, understand your dog’s communication and capacity, and develop the handler skills needed to support an appropriate working partnership.
Training is only the beginning.
When you and your dog are ready, you can progress to a separate PATS practical assessment based on your proposed AAS role.
Completion of the online course does not automatically guarantee certification.
CPD Certified Professional Development
The Therapy Dog Formula Blueprint™ is certified by The CPD Certification Service, providing structured professional development for those preparing to incorporate a dog into Animal-Assisted Services.
Meet Charlotte
Charlotte Smithson is the founder of Perth's Animal Training Specialists and an experienced animal trainer, behaviour practitioner and assessor.
She specialises in preparing dog–handler teams for ethical, welfare-centred participation in Animal-Assisted Services, with a strong focus on role suitability, handler skills and sustainable working partnerships.
Her professional background spans assistance dogs, canine behaviour and welfare, medical alert training and Animal-Assisted Services.
Your Enrolment Includes
Comprehensive online AAS education
Practical dog-training instruction
Reinforcement-based training methods
Role Demand Profile preparation
Dog Capacity education
Handler Skill & Advocacy development
Welfare and sustainability guidance
Health and safety education
Knowledge assessments
Training plans and downloadable resources
Practical demonstration videos
Private student community
Training video feedback and support
Lifetime course access
Future course and video updates
Pathway towards PATS practical assessment
and certification
.
