I have a new puppy. She is very sweet and cuddly.What does it take for a dog to visit elderly or the sick? I would love to do this with her.?

Your dog is lovely, and could put smiles on faces, I'm sure. Usually dogs go through CGC testing and therapy dog training and certification before they can go to hospitals and nursing homes. Check with your local kennel club. Mine has a Therapy Dog program.

My father is in a nursing home, and nothing brightens his day more than seeing a dog, as he is a lifelong animal lover. I bring my dog to see him whenever I can. The other residents light up as well. My dog is not a therapy dog, but when he moved to the home, I asked if I could bring my dog to visit, and they said yes, the residents love it. This is my dog and my niece's Chi on one of our visits:

We routinely take animals to our local nursing home(s). Our local nursing homes are very easy-going, and don't require that the animal be a trained "therapy animal." We've taken baby goats, lambs, dogs, and I think we even once took a tiny baby pig. The residents LOVE it, and we have some sweet and funny stories to tell. Our old male Great Dane was a huge (literally) favorite with the men because of his quiet nature, but the ladies seem to love the babies. Ask your vet if your puppy is old enough, and just don't do so much that your puppy gets too tired from all the cuddling and kissing. Of course be sure he's up to date on shots, etc.

The elderly and sick need to be not allergic to dogs and the dog has to be very quiet for example. My friend has a maltese and he's quiet most of the time except when he gets especially happy he barks a little but just get her well trained to be a good girl.

She needs to be registered as a therapy dog and in order to do that she must first be a canine good citizen and pass that test or an equivalent.. I have never seen a puppy achieve it but many nursing homes allow visits from nonofficial pets.

Google therapy dogs. It starts with basic training, then more advanced training, them the canine good citizen test, then a notoriety training, then the therapy dog test, them you get into a therapy dog organization in your area.

To begin now to work your puppy toward this you will want to do lots of socialization and get into a puppy class. PetSmart has a great program if you have a PetSmart in your area. Be sure that any training you get into is positive training.

lots of early socialization and lots of basic training you want a dog that has a gentle nature and not one that shed too much which could cause allergic reactions, health certificates, shots kept up to date..i think myself I live in a 55+ bldg. and my dog is my esa emotional support animal she is about 8 yrs old and just this year I can depend on her not to bite ankles walking by (smile) she gets lots of love here its hard to get out of the bldg. everyone wants to touch her and pet her and that has helped her a lot..she is more mature she listens better (she is a Manchester terrier) but most of her life she didn't really care FOR people of any age..but I guess the best advise is taking your puppy out to parks on walks meet new people A LOT!! I think that is more crucial than basic training honestly ok done rambling lol

A good citizen certificate and being invited to visit nursing homes, hospices, elderly/sick. No invitation then not allow to visit.

http://www.tdi-dog.org/OurPrograms.aspx?Page=Hospi...

I don't know where you are but there are various websites if you check online, as above. You could contact your local Hospital/GP? to see who best to get in touch with re this idea. But don't run before you can walk - if you have just bought this puppy, you have a ways to go yet before she's going to be ready for something like this.

Them being trained to be a therapy dog and they do have to have all of their vaccinations and pass certain tests to become a therapy dog.