They say a dog is a man's best friend, well if you're going through a tough time...therapy dogs can really be the best help for healing. Not only must these animals learn basic obedience skills, to refrain from jumping on people or pulling on the leash, these animals must be able to follow commands without distractions! Most dogs in this line of work go through training, and are registered with organizations such as Pet Partners or Therapy Dogs Inc. Pet Partners has its animals and trainers go through an eight-hour, in-person training program, or through an online course that typically takes six to eight hours to complete. Handlers learn how to read their animal's stress level and make the animal comfortable in a variety of environments.

Pet Partners teaches handlers about the types of people they might visit — whether it’s seniors at a nursing home or troubled teens at a group home — and the kinds of procedures they might encounter, such as infection control at a hospital. They learn to work in conditions that they are likely to run into, such as being near wheelchairs or hearing loud, startling noises.