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Becoming an accredited dogtor team

**Please read before scrolling any further!

Please be mindful that our accreditation process requires your financial and time commitments to complete. We acknowledge that these costs are not an insignificant amount. However, The Dogtors’ rigorous accreditation process ensures that you will be equipped with a level of skill meeting international standards for AAI.

Our education and competency requirements set The Dogtors apart from other organisations in the field, and reflects the quality and professionalism of service that we provide. The fees we collect also go into providing you with continuous learning opportunities, and more importantly, to improve your experiences with us over time.

We encourage accredited members to view these upfront costs as an investment in their life-long learning, in their relationship with their dogs, and in building a community that uplifts others through the magic of the human-animal bond. The value of knowledge and friendship cannot be measured.

We strongly urge participants to complete the entire accreditation process in order for them to reap the benefits of becoming an accredited member.

If you and your dog meet the criteria below, and are willing to undergo our accreditation process, please reach out to us at woof@thedogtors.sg.

Above 18 months of age

Well socialised

Comfortable and confident interacting with unfamiliar humans and in new environments

Resilient i.e. able to recover from a stressful incident quickly

Able to interact safely and appropriately with other humans and animals

Toilet trained

Aggressive

Excessively fearful or vocal

Trained using aversive tools or methods e.g. prong collars or electric shock collars

Fed a raw meat-based diet

We are looking for dog handlers who meet the following criteria:

At least 18 years of age
Desire to learn about the human-animal bond, and how to deliver AAI effectively and ethically
Want to deepen their relationship with their canine partners
Practice proactive, rather than reactive, dog-handling skills
Are deeply familiar with their dog’s patterns and behaviour, likes and dislikes
Are able to exercise good judgement regarding their dog’s behaviour, stress signals, and when their dog needs to be removed from a particular situation
Can commit to participating regularly in sessions on weekdays or weekends

We believe in the importance of education and training!

We do not believe in a “perfect” dog or handler for AAI. Our accreditation process was designed in a way that allows us to first identify handlers and dogs that have the necessary underlying qualities and motivations to participate in AAI.

Our process for evaluating potential teams is holistic and comprehensive. Instead of a once-off test, handlers would be given opportunities to learn and gain skills to prepare for the final competency assessment. We believe in mentoring and nurturing handlers and their dogs to become successful in AAI sessions.

benefits of becoming an accredited dogtor team

Strengthen the bond between you and your dog

We work closely with you and your dog to deepen your relationship and grow your competencies as a team! During The Dogtors’ accreditation process, you will learn to understand your dog better and how to communicate with them more effectively. Our educational resources, practical training, and supervised visits are designed to equip you with knowledge on basic canine behaviour and welfare, and evidence-based training techniques.

Participate in meaningful activities with your dog

Many of The Dogtors’ activities aim to serve beneficiaries from vulnerable populations. By becoming an accredited team, you and your dog will have the opportunity to share the joy of your relationship with persons in the community who may not otherwise have opportunities to interact with animals. In many cases, seeing our dogs can be the highlight of a beneficiary’s week!

Provide experiences for your dog which are unique, fun and enriching

If you’re looking for fun activities to meet your dog’s social and mental enrichment needs, becoming an accredited Dogtor team may be for you! By taking part in The Dogtors’ activities, your dog will have the opportunity to meet new people and dogs, go to new places, and learn new skills–your dog will enjoy a rich and fulfilling social and emotional life.

Aaisg accreditation process

STEP 1A

Information Gathering Form

We would like to get to know you and your canine partner a little better!

Estimated duration to complete:
10 minutes

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STEP 1B

Meet & Greet

Meeting you and your canine partner in person allows us to observe your relationship, handling skills, as well as to see how your dog reacts to unfamiliar people and environments!

Estimated duration to complete:
30 minutes

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STEP 2A

the dogtors Theory Course

Before embarking on the mentorship programme and beginning visits, we would like to ensure that our handlers are equipped with basic knowledge in AAI, animal welfare, dog behaviour, training, public health, and safety.

Estimated duration to complete:
1 day session

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STEP 2B

Mentorship Programme

Each handler will be assigned a mentor for support and guidance along the accreditation process.

Estimated duration to complete:
10 hours (10 x 1 hour sessions)

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STEP 2C

The Theory and Practice of Animal-Assisted Interventions Diploma

This diploma course delves deeper into the theory and practice of AAI.

Note: This diploma course is highly encouraged, but not mandatory in order for members to continue visiting with The Dogtors.

Estimated duration to complete:
98 study hours at your own pace. This course must be completed within 6 months after registration.

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STEP 3

Graduation

Congratulations!

You will receive a report of how you and your pup as a team have improved over time with The Dogtors. This report contains a profile of your team’s strengths, specialised skills, and potential areas for growth.

Estimated duration to complete:
1 hour

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the dogtors accreditation stages

STEP 1A

Information Gathering Form

Through the information provided by you to us, we hope to get to know you and your dog a little better!

Membership status: None

STEP 1B

Meet & greet

The objective of this meet and greet is for us to meet you and your dog in real life, to observe your relationship, handling skills, as well as for us to see how your dog reacts to unfamiliar people and environments.

Membership status: None

STEP 2A

the dogtors Theory Course

The objective of this course is to equip handlers with basic knowledge and skills to succeed in AAI prior to embarking on the mentorship programme. Trainees have to achieve a pass of 70% for the quiz at the end of the course before being able to embark on phase 2B. The syllabus and content of this course have been vetted by the international experts on our team.

Training fees: $398, payable before the start of the course.

The training fees cover the Theory Course, mentorship programme, and the final competency assessment. Instalment plans are also available on a case by case basis.

**Please note that these fees can be recouped after becoming an accredited member. Accredited members are paid an allowance for each session that they attend.

topics covered:

The topics covered under this course include:

Introduction to The Dogtors and the accreditation process
Overview of Animal-Assisted Interventions
Ethical Considerations in Animal-Assisted Interventions
Introduction to Canine Welfare
Introduction to Canine Behaviour and Body Language
Introduction to Stress in Canines
How Dogs Learn
AAI in Singapore: Special Considerations (Animal welfare laws, religious and cultural considerations)
Best Practices, Policies and Procedures

Membership status: Trainee

STEP 2B

mentorship programme

During the mentorship programme, you will be assigned to a mentor. Your mentor will observe you and your dog during sessions, identify areas for improvement, and work with you to address this. You may also reach out to your mentor if you have any questions or concerns!

Membership status: Trainee

STEP 2C

The Theory and Practice of Animal-Assisted Interventions Diploma

[Optional]

For the first time ever in Singapore, together with the International Association of Human-Animal Interactions Organizations (IAHAIO) and the Open University of Netherlands (OU), we present The Theory and Practice of Animal-Assisted Interventions Diploma!

This diploma was customised and is available exclusively for The Dogtors members. This diploma delves deeper into the theory and practice of AAI. The course is conducted in its own online learning environment, consists of lectures, and field assignments. Upon completion, members will receive a diploma from The Dogtors, IAHAIO and OU.

Note: This diploma course is highly encouraged, but not mandatory in order for members to continue visiting with The Dogtors. Teams who move on to step 3 (competency assessment) without completing step 2C (the diploma course) will be eligible to become a Dogtors fellow.

Training fees: €650 payable directly to OU

Duration: 98 study hours (This course must be completed within 6 months of registration)

topics covered:

Introduction to Animal Assisted Interventions
Animal Assisted Interventions in Practice
Animal Assisted Education
Training and behavior of dogs in Animal Assisted Interventions
Ethics and Welfare of dogs in Animal Assisted Interventions
Evaluation of Animal Assisted Interventions

Membership status: The Dogtors fellow

STEP 3

Graduation

Congratulations!

Membership status: Accredited member or The Dogtors fellow

STEP 1A

We would like to get to know you and your canine partner a little better!

Membership status:

STEP 1B

Meeting you and your canine partner in person allows us to observe your relationship, handling skills, as well as to see how your dog reacts to unfamiliar people and environments!

Membership status:

STEP 2A

Membership status:

STEP 2B

Each handler will be assigned a mentor for support and guidance along the accreditation process.

Membership status:

STEP 2C

This diploma course delves deeper into the theory and practice of AAI.

Note: This diploma course is highly encouraged, but not mandatory in order for members to continue visiting with The Dogtors.

Membership status:

STEP 3

Congratulations!

Membership status:

membership tiers

trainee

Requirements

Completed:

1. Theory Course by The Dogtors

Privileges

• Ability to participate in all The Dogtors’ activities
• Apparel for you and your dog.

Fees Involved

$398 payable to The Dogtors.

This covers both The Dogtors’ Theory Course, the mentorship programme, and graduation materials

Membership Costs

–

Tenure

Expires in 18 months from completion of The Dogtors’ Theory Course.

Accredited

Requirements

Completed:
1. Theory Course by The Dogtors
2. Mentorship Programme
3. Graduation

Passed:
1. Biennial recredentialing assessment in last 2 years, for renewing members

Minimum participation:
1. 10 Dogtor visits in last 1 year

Privileges

Ability to participate in all The Dogtors’ activities
Receive a confirmation fee on a per-session basis for participation in The Dogtors approved activities and programmes
Apparel with exclusive “the dogtors accredited” logo

Fees Involved

–

Membership Costs

Tenure

Renewed annually, upon completion of all requirements.

the dogtors Fellow

Requirements

Completed:
1. Theory Course by The Dogtors
2. Mentorship Programme
3. Diploma Course

Passed:
1. Biennial recredentialing assessment in last 2 years, for renewing members

Minimum participation:
1. 10 The Dogtors visits in past 1 year

Privileges

• Ability to participate in all The Dogtors’ activities
• Eligible to be programme or activity lead
• Receive a confirmation fee on a per-session basis for participation in The Dogtors approved activities and programmes
• Re-credentialing assessment is free of charge

Fees Involved

650 € payable to the Open University of Netherlands directly.

Membership Costs

Tenure

Renewed annually, upon completion of all requirements.