A "Delta dog" typically refers to a therapy dog certified by Delta Therapy Dogs (Delta Society Australia), a non-profit organization in Australia that trains volunteer teams (handler and their dog) to provide comfort and joy to people in hospitals, aged care, and other facilities. These dogs undergo temperament assessments to ensure they are suitable for providing animal-assisted therapy, offering social interaction, stress relief, and companionship to those in need.
The answer to this is a simple one -- in Australia there is no governing body that oversees therapy dog certification. As a result, EVERY therapy dog business in Australia certifies their participants in the same way: through their own business and personal qualifications (I'll provide mine in a moment).
How much is a therapy dog in Australia? A. It depends! Costs can range from about $1500 - $2500.
Therapy Dogs: Comfort and Emotional Support
A therapy dog is trained to provide emotional support, comfort, and companionship in settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Unlike assistance dogs, therapy dogs do not perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.
A therapy dog needs to be bomb-proof and should never shy away, startle or even start barking frantically when working. If your dog has an ingrained fear, therapy work is not for him.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
Emotional support animals provide companionship and don't need any specific training. ESAs aren't covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Service animals are. ESAs offer comfort to individuals with anxiety, PTSD, depression, and other mental conditions.
With the right training, those dogs who love to be around people and are comfortable with novel items and noises can make great therapy dogs. Wherever possible, training should begin from being a puppy, however there are many cases where rescue dogs have made fantastic therapy dogs too.
4. Mental health support. A mental health service dog is a specific type of service animal trained to assist those with disabling mental health conditions. These can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
Generally, the NDIA will only fund an assistance animal which has passed, or will pass, your state or territory's Public Access Test. This ensures that the animal is suitable to accompany and support you as you participate in the community.
Yes, Medicare in Australia covers therapy under the Better Access initiative, providing rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group mental health treatment sessions per calendar year with eligible professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists) once you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP. Costs vary, but bulk billing means no out-of-pocket expense, while others offer rebates, reducing your fee.
Yes, a veterinarian can refuse to euthanize an animal, especially if the request is for convenience or the animal isn't suffering, but they must typically refer the owner to another practice, as they have an ethical duty to ensure euthanasia is humane and necessary; refusals often stem from moral objections to ending a healthy or treatable animal's life, or client pressure.
You may not require proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal. You may not require the animal to wear an identifying vest or tag. You may not ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the task or work.
How to get an ESA Letter in four steps:
Therapy animals don't need to be perfect! They don't even need to be expertly trained. However, they should be able to follow basic cues. Dogs should be able to sit, down, stay, leave-it, and heel.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Here's a breakdown of the best dog breeds for emotional support that can be a great fit for people with anxiety and depression.
How should you act around a service dog?
There are several therapy-dog training programs that you can use to transition your dog into being an ESA. You also have the option of training your dog yourself. Either way, as long as you remain dedicated and consistent, you can expect to spend 6 to 8 weeks on training.
Popular Breeds That Make Good Therapy Dogs
Socialize your puppy or dog to new people, places, objects, and surfaces. Obtain the AKC CGC title for your dog. Train necessary behaviors for therapy work including “leave it,” “watch me,” loose-leash walking, and not jumping on people (“four on the floor”).
Diagnosis of a Mental Health Condition: To qualify for a stress and anxiety service dog, you must have a documented diagnosis of a mental health condition such as PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or another qualifying condition. This diagnosis must come from a licensed mental health professional.
Best Pets for Reducing Anxiety and Depression
What Breeds Make the Best Psychiatric Service Dogs?