Health Requirements

The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. Guidelines: Health Requirements

1. New registration requires that your veterinarian completes our health certificate. We ask for your veterinarian’s opinion if he/she would endorse your dog to be a therapy dog.

2. Upon registration and yearly registration renewal we require:

• Confirmation that your dog has been examined by the vet in the past year, along with a health certificate or a shot record confirming your dog is current on these vaccinations:

✓ Rabies
✓ Bordatella
✓ DHLPP

• Veterinarian reports of titer levels are acceptable for vaccinations other than rabies.
• A fecal check
• Keep your vaccination records current; If they expire during your current year and receive new shots please send us the new shot records.

3. Dogs are disqualified for a visit if they have been ill within the last 24 hours with:

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Any symptoms of a communicable disease. (See our Disease Control Brochure)
• Open wounds, recent surgery pain or any injury
• Female dogs cannot be “in season” while testing or conducting visitation.
• Female dogs must take maternity leave 30 days prior and 60 days after birth.

4. If your dog has a serious accident or illness that disqualifies them from visitation for more than two weeks or becomes disabled:

• You must notify our office immediately.
• After treatment, your veterinarian must examine your dog and provide in writing, using our Health Certificate indicating that your dog is healthy, pain free & able to return to therapy work.

5. Before every visit dogs must:

• Be clean and well groomed and be parasite free.
• Have short nails, cut and filed to avoid sharp edges.
• Have clean teeth, eyes and ears.
• Be in good health.
• Be allowed to exercise and eliminate prior to the visit.
• Most facilities require dogs to be bathed before every visit. Adhere to your facilities guidelines, but keep your pet’s well-being in mind. Not every breed is meant to be bathed too frequently. They must be clean!!!
• Use of flea and tick control products is understandable, but keep in mind that these are strong pesticides and chemicals. Do not use these products within 48 hours of a pet therapy visit, longer if it’s a product like Frontline, which may take longer to dissipate into the dog’s coat.