QUOTE – G. B. Shaw

“Buying a dog is the only way money can buy love.”

So let’s put the two together: the one that gives and the one that needs… It was invented a long time ago – it’s called canister therapy, treatment with dogs.

Helppes is also involved in the training of canister therapy dogs. These trained dogs then practise canister therapy methods, including positioning, in various hospitals, nursing homes, old people’s homes or homes for the physically, sensory or mentally disabled and, most importantly, bring joy and often an improvement in the mental and health condition of the clients of these facilities through their regular visits or are placed there permanently.

Helppes, together with the CCC Special Training Club, is involved in the testing of future canister therapy teams – dogs and their owners. The trials take place in real facilities, with the participation of people with disabilities and in cooperation with doctors and experienced canine therapists, who familiarise the dog owners with the correct approach to patients and the correct solution to various – often difficult – situations. Only a healthy dog with a vaccination card/passport with a valid vaccination against rabies (according to the specific entry in the vaccination card or passport), distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza (not older than one year) is allowed to take part in the tests. The suitability of the dog owner for the possibility of practical implementation of this activity is also assessed by the expert staff. Here, even more than in other areas of cynology, the dog owner must be an absolutely well-balanced, relaxed but determined person who can cooperate with the staff of various institutions, behave appropriately towards people with various types of disabilities, elderly people or children living in residential homes, Understands the meaning and mission of this activity, can not only behave appropriately and positively, but also dress appropriately, bring the dog to the canister therapy always without the slightest sign of illness, clean, combed and groomed, knows the manifestations of his dog very well, can assess the fatigue of the dog, has a very well managed and socialised dog, can give the dog enough time and space for relaxation, playing, recharging energy.

For the practical application of canister therapy, the dog must have an innately balanced character, love people, be completely non-aggressive, communicative, adaptable, tolerant of manipulation and free from signs of timidity, fear and volatility. These are all necessary requirements, but they cannot be taught to a dog. The only thing an owner interested in passing the Canister Therapy Dog practical performance test needs to do is to ensure that the dog has been properly socialised from a puppy age and has reliably mastered basic obedience with the dog. Therefore, we do not organise courses to “teach” dogs to do canine therapy and consider such courses to be a waste of time and money for dog owners. Canistrapy must bring joy and benefit not only to the person it is aimed at and to the dog’s owner, but also to the dog itself, and you really can’t teach a dog that.However, if you are planning to take the Canister Therapy exam, you can prepare your dog for the CT exam (particularly the obedience requirements) by attending one of our canine social training courses (details of which, including contact details for the course leaders, can be found under this link

One of the basic duties of every handler – participant in the exams – is to know and comply with the exam regulations. An excerpt from the rules for the Canine therapy test can be found here – ZCP The candidate – handler must be a member of one of the subjects included in the CMKU.

Dogs without a pedigree are required to be microchipped and registered in the register of dogs without a proven pedigree.

More information and the application form for inclusion of a b.p.p. dog in the register of b.p.p. dogs can be found on the CCC website here

If you are interested in carrying out canister therapy in your facility or for your disabled relative, search (in the database below) and contact directly one of the teams in your area.
The validity of the certificate and the card is limited to two years, but not more than the duration of the cooperation agreement with Helppes o.p.s. Without a valid agreement, the certificate and the card are NOT valid!
Here you can find canister therapy teams with a VALID CERTIFICATE – web_Databaze_CT_active_1_2024 Here you can find Canister Therapy Teams that have been CERTIFIED as Canister Therapy Practitioners – web_Databaze_CT_credential_activity_1_2024

At the request of our CT teams, we are introducing a new section “IN MEMORIAM” and “Canine therapists in well-deserved retirement”

In January 2018, due to health reasons and age, the English Springer Spaniel Heartbreaker Crownmaple – Eston – ended his long-term very active activity. Eston, thank you and we wish you a happy canine “retirement”.

A great traveler and heartthrob, Bull crossbreed Tekýsek passed away after a long illness in March 2017.

In March 2017, a canine therapist with a capital “C” –  a Bernese mountain dog Chip passed away. He and his handler Klárka Polívková passed the exam in 2009 and since then they have been diligently taking care of little Ladunka, who, thanks to Chip, overcame her enormous fear of dogs. Thank you.

On February 15, 2017, the Newfoundland Dumas od Trojské skály passed away. We thank Mrs. Věra for spreading joy to their clients with Dumas in “our colors”.

In 2015, 5 amazing canine therapists with a capital “C” passed away over the rainbow bridge – Swiss Falco of Kim´s Dream  by Vlasta Pekárková, border dog All you need is love Lower Saxon (Beauty)  by Nicoletta Rauerová, flat dog Black Sun Z Mokrá hory by Katka Kunášková,  Swiss Eliška (retired guide dog) by Vlaďka Tomášová and walking dog Chuck Z Dašického zátiší by Kristýna Bieblová. We thank you all very much for us and for your clients.

At the end of 2014, Rhodesian Ridgeback Beruška by Katka Kropáčková passed away over the rainbow. Thank you.

On 11.11.2014, GoldenChanny Bohemian Gold passed away. She and Radka Štencelová have been practicing canistherapy in Kutná Hora and its surroundings since November 2005. Thank you.

On 8.3.2014, Bernese Mountain Dog Antonia Bermondo BOHEMIA passed away. She and handler Veronika Černíková have been practicing canistherapy since 2008. Thank you.

On 6.3.2014, GoldenBára ze Stará Bohyně, nicknamed by her owner Irenka ZárubováPhDr. Barů passed away. She passed the exam on 13.11.2004 and was actively practicing canis therapy until the end of 2012. She is the Helpps canis record holder. Many thanks for everything you have done in 8 years of active service.

On July 22, 2013, Romča Fajmanová’s partner, the border collie Happy Chunky Foxy Fox, passed away. Chunky was a great professional canine therapist (she had been practicing canine therapy since January 1, 2006). We thank her for all the joy she gave to people in need during her several years of service.

In the summer of 2013, Radka Fenclová’s German Shepherd Ketty Kona-gold’s, who regularly visited children in daycare centers and elderly people from 2005 to 2011, left our ranks. After that, as her owner says, “only” for recreation.

Petra Ressová’s crossbreed Viki, who passed the exam on November 15, 2008.

GoldenKarlo Luk  and Jindra Hermannová have been providing their CT watches since March 2003.

GoldenJenny Golden Araukarity and Aaere Sarah Scandinavia Finland  and Evka Píchová have been performing canistherapy under the yellow Helpps blanket since March 2003.

Swiss Demor Nubika  and Blanka Hanušová have been practicing canistherapy since 2012. They have now had to stop for health reasons. We thank them very much for their cooperation.

Labrador Daryk Od Záměstského rybníka and Martin Čapek passed their exam in 2009 and have been diligently and lovingly devoted to their clients since then. Thank you.

Golden Niki and Tereza Novotna have been practicing canistherapy since 2006. Niki is already a worthy dog ​​lady and her owner is taking care of her. Thank you for the long-term cooperation.

Golden Arwen Famou Gold  and owner Irena Zárubová passed the exams on November 28, 2009. Since then, they have been practicing canistherapy regularly. Arwen became ill and therefore had to stop active canistherapy.

German dog Diky Milvel and owner Renata Davídková will end their active service in the first half of 2014, which they have been performing since 2008. Thank you 🙂

Border dog Angi Cheek Hardy Horde and her two-legged partner Míša Fiedlerová passed the exam on February 18, 2006 and have been actively engaged in canistherapy at the DC FN Motol since then. The team officially ended active canis therapy in mid-2010, but they “rebound” once a month. They say they don’t miss it 😉 And 10-year-old Angi is enjoying it like when she was young 😉

Jana Schnabelová’s females, the staffordshire bull terrierBellinde Black Francimo Bohemia, the border collieBarunaand the border collieCarrera Rapida Black Chavers, are all in canine “disability” retirement after several years of active service, which was caused by severe arthrosis. We also thank them for the well-being and joy they brought to all canine therapy “sessions”.

The labradorBady and Karin Havlíková passed the CTpsa exam on November 13, 2004 and regularly visited the family of a small autistic person, who benefited greatly from Bady’s presence. Unfortunately, Bady fell ill with severe arthrosis and had to stop his activity.

Labrador Treisy  and Hanka Jasanská passed the exam on June 2, 2003 and worked diligently until May 2013. In 2013, they still regularly attended the Akord daycare center.

We will provide you with all information regarding canistherapy exclusively on this contact:                                                

canisterapie@helppes.cz

Canistherapy is very demanding on the dog’s psyche. A canine therapy dog ​​must have enough space and time to recover and rest. This can be the case during nature trips and sporting activities.