About Canine Therapy Corps

<h2>A therapy-dog nonprofit that also runs public obedience classes</h2>

<p>Canine Therapy Corps describes itself as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that "trains, assesses, and places therapy dog teams on volunteer assignments at Chicago area health and human service organizations." The site states that since 1991 its volunteers and certified therapy dogs have served the Chicago metropolitan area, "helping people recover from physical and emotional trauma," with programs that are "goal-directed and interactive" and tailored to the therapeutic objectives of each population served.</p>

<h3>Training open to the public</h3>

<p>The training side is not restricted to volunteers: "Our classes are for anyone who wants a better-behaved dog – not just those with aspirations of becoming a therapy dog team," and the site notes that class fees help fund the therapy programs. Two formats are offered. <strong>Group training</strong> is described as positive reinforcement training that "teaches you how to mold your pooch into a well-behaved and well-rounded dog." <strong>Private lessons</strong> are one-on-one with a lead trainer on "specific issues, goals or supplement gaps on your training journey," held at the organization's training facility on West Fullerton Avenue and tailored to the individual dog and handler. A separate track prepares handlers and dogs to <strong>become a therapy dog team</strong>.</p>

<h3>Admissions policy</h3>

<p>The site is direct about limits: it reserves the right to deny any dog entry to the training program "based on behavioral challenges or historical aggression," defining aggression as a dog that has inflicted severe injury to another dog or person, and states that dogs displaying aggressive behavior may be removed from a class or asked not to return, without refund. Prospective clients with aggression cases should read that page before applying.</p>

<h3>Scale of the programs</h3>

<p>The programs page says the organization has approximately 90 active volunteer teams working across the Chicago metropolitan area and that each year it provides over 1,400 hours of therapy to more than 5,000 individuals at no charge to the client or facility.</p>