Question ... does a Therapy Dog....

[Joann Valerio]

Does a therapy dog Need to be a big dog? I was just told that a Minidoodle wouldn't be big enough to do Therapy work.

Fact or fiction?

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Fiction. Complete fiction.

[Heidi Nelson]

Absolute FICTION.  I have 2 miniature goldendoodles and both passed their therapy exams with flying colors.  We visit with dogs of all shapes and sizes from a chihuahua to a mastiff.

[Diana Erhart]

Fiction. My Charlie is a 25 pound mini ALD and he is a certified Therapy Dog, and a very good one. He will either sit on a chair next to the bed or wheelchair, or some people let him sit in bed or on their lap with them. For the Reading with Rover programs, he sits in the bean bag chair with the children or the children sit on the floor next to him when they read.

[Janet & Jaxson]

Complete fiction. A therapy animal can be any size. And it doesn't even have to ge a dog!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My mini ALD (22 lbs) is therapy certified.  He did a great job working with dementia patients because they could hold him on their laps.  Size has nothing to do with it....it's all about temperament and training.  Assistance dogs may have different requirements because often times they are required to help with physical tasks...but not therapy dogs.

[Helen & Kirby]

Therapy dogs can be any size.  It's their temperament that counts.

[Melissa]

I'd say fiction.  Dogs of all sizes can make great Therapy Dogs as long as they have the proper mannerisms.