Do Cockapoos Make Good Assistance and Therapy Dogs?

A fully trained assistant or cockapoo therapy dog is much more than just a helping hand; they will carry out their duties and follow commands without hesitation. But most of all, they will become a companion and best friend to either one person as an assistance dog or to all as a therapy and support dog. 

So, are cockapoos good therapy dogs? First, we need to understand the differences between therapy and assistance dogs and the true meaning of the terms. 

Introduction to Cockapoo Assistance and Cockapoo Therapy dogs

There can be a lot of confusion around the different jobs these working dogs do, and if it is working, the assistance dog especially will need some time out from being ready for anything state of alert. 

The role of a cockapoo assistance dog

An assistance dog, also known as a service dog in America, plays a completely different role from a therapy or emotional support dog. They are trained specifically for the person they are going to be helping.

A high level of training is required specific to the person it is going to help i.e as a hearing dog, guide dog for the visually impaired, or to help a physically disabled person by fetching or picking up dropped articles etc. and once trained the dog will normally be with the client 24 hours a day 365 days of the year.

However, like every doctor won’t make a good surgeon, not every dog will make a good assistant or therapy dog. They will need certain traits; they must be calm and friendly, alert but non-reactive, be willing to please and follow, and be able to deal with all kinds of situations and surroundings.

I recently read an article about a gentleman with a spinal injury that had his lovely cockapoo trained, and she is now a fully qualified assistance dog. They go everywhere together, and she carries all his paperwork in her jacket and will stay with him in emergencies until help arrives. They have a quite desirable bond, so a cockapoo can make a great service dog with the right temperament.

The Role Of a Cockapoo Therapy Dog 

Therapy or emotional support dogs have to be all things to all men; these are the dogs you see visiting nursing homes and hospitals, with their human partners bringing smiles, love and joy to everyone.

Just like assistance dogs they still need to have the right personality and training but the training is less intense, they must be calm and not get excited or jump when they greet people, they must follow commands quickly and also be able to handle all the various situations and surroundings they will be facing. 

Cockapoos making the difference

Would you like to share the love that your four-legged friend has and help your local community at the same time? Volunteering yourself and your pet to visit people less fortunate than ourselves is a great thing and extremely rewarding thing.

Cockapoos are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quite easily; their naturally loving nature and playful attitude make them a good choice for emotional support or therapy dogs it is so wonderful to see an elderly person’s face light up when they see your gorgeous cockapoo come wagging in.

A dog is said to be man’s best friend, and sadly, some too many people have a love for them or used to own one that, due to circumstances, can no longer enjoy their company. It just makes a persons’ day when they get a visit from a happy and waggy dog that greets them like a long lost friend. 

Many beautiful stories about cockapoos have been chosen to visit nursing homes, hospices and even schools. There is one wonderful cockapoo that helps special needs children while in school, if a child gets upset or things get too much, it is amazing how a hug and stroke with a loving dog in a quiet place can give them back a feeling of calm.

Your cockapoo will need to be assessed, and there are specific guidelines in place, but this is not a rigorous procedure; your cockapoo needs to be well-behaved, friendly and overall calm in any situation.  

Jenny and Charlie The Assistance Cockapoo

Jenny and her faithful companion, Charlie, the assistance Cockapoo, had been together for years. Since adopting him as a pup, Charlie has become an integral part of Jenny’s life—a true Wonderdog in every sense of the word!

Charlie helps Jenny with basic tasks around the house, like bringing her keys from the kitchen table or fetching items from another room. He also loves to curl up beside her when she’s watching TV or working on her laptop – an ever-present companion that never fails to bring a smile to her face.

However, it isn’t just his assistance around the home that makes Charlie unique; it’s his presence in all aspects of Jenny’s life. Whenever she feels down or overwhelmed by things, he always knows how to calm her down with gentle licks and cuddles until all is right.

When she’s out and about, he is always by her side, providing support and comfort – ready at a moment’s notice to lend an understanding ear should she need one. Jenny firmly believes that without Charlie by her side, she would be lost because of his helpfulness around the house and the love and companionship he brings into her daily life. He may be small, but Charlie is genuinely a big heart in disguise!

Final Thoughts On Are Cockapoos Good Therapy Dogs

In conclusion, Cockapoos make excellent therapy dogs due to their friendly, loyal nature and intelligence and trainability. They are very responsive to positive reinforcement and are generally easy to train.