Therapy Dog Training at California Canine: Shelby’s Journey from Puppy to Community Healer 🐾

Shelby providing comfort at the dentist!

Hello California Canine Friends,

This blog is extra special because we are featuring a training service that is near and dear to my heart: therapy dog training.

I have been training Therapy Dog Teams for over 10 years, and these dogs—and their dedicated guardians—continue to amaze me. The bond they share, their commitment to training, and their desire to bring comfort to others is truly something special. Rather than speaking about therapy dog work in general, I wanted to share a real experience from one of our recent graduates.

Meet Shelby, an 18-month-old Labrador Retriever who has been training with California Canine since she was a puppy. Below are the questions I asked Shelby’s guardian, Stephanie, and her honest, heartfelt responses about their journey.

Why did you decide to work toward therapy dog certification for you and Shelby?

When we decided to have another dog join our family, I knew I wanted to do therapy work. My oldest son was in critical care a few years ago, and during his extended hospital stay we had a visit from a therapy dog. That visit lifted not only my son’s spirits, but mine as well.

That interaction was incredibly meaningful to both of us. I want to pay it forward and give that same joy and comfort to others during difficult moments in their lives.

Can you describe your training process, both at California Canine and on your own?

Shelby and I started training when she was just 9 weeks old. I shared my long-term goal with California Canine early on, and I was given a clear outline of what would be required for therapy dog certification. We took every class available—not only to expose Shelby to a variety of instructors and activities, but also to train me to be the best possible handler. During her first year, we averaged about 3–4 classes per week. It sounds like a lot, but Shelby truly thrived on the routine and learning. She has loved every class, and we still continue training. Shelby is young and benefits greatly from the mental stimulation. Outside of class, I include her in daily outings so she can experience new environments and situations, which has been essential to her growth and confidence.

What challenges or frustrations did you experience along the way?

Shelby is a Lab—and Labs are puppies for a long time! She definitely had some bad habits that we had to work hard to break. Both consistent training and maturity helped tremendously. She wants to please and is very food-motivated, which certainly worked in our favor!

How has training Shelby as a therapy dog enhanced your bond?

I absolutely adore my little girl, and she adores me right back. I believe that consistency, structure, and shared activities have really strengthened our bond. Training doesn’t have to be all work—we make sure to mix in plenty of fun.

What therapy dog work have you done so far, and what would you like to continue doing?

We’ve had one official therapy visit so far. Shelby helped students at Stevenson School blow off steam during finals week. Shelby loved all the attention, and I loved seeing the smiles on the students’ faces as they interacted with her.

Outside of official visits, I take Shelby to places that continue to support her training—shopping malls, offices, and large gatherings. I recently brought her to my son’s dentist appointment, where she is always welcomed. She sat calmly on his lap during the cleaning and exam, watched quietly, and eventually fell asleep.

That was a very proud mommy moment.

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Thank you Stephanie and Shelby! If you would like more information about our training services please give us a call (831-717-4579) or email us at info@californiacanine.us.