My Dog Just Passed His Canine Good Citizen (CGC). Does That Mean We’re Ready to Volunteer?

Congratulations! Your dog passed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. That’s a big deal, and you should feel proud. You and your dog have already built a strong bond, and you’ve taken the time to help them learn important skills. That kind of dedication means a lot. 

Now, maybe you’re asking the big question: “Does this mean we’re ready to volunteer as a therapy animal team?” 

The short answer? Almost! But there’s a little more to therapy work than just having good manners. Let’s look at how the CGC compares to the Pet Partners evaluation, and what steps to take next if you’re dreaming of sharing your pet with your community. 

What is the CGC? 

The CGC is a program created by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It helps dogs and their owners or handlers learn how to be polite and well-behaved in public. To pass the CGC test, your dog needs to show they can do things like: 

• Sit politely while a friendly stranger approaches 

• Walk nicely on a leash 

• Stay calm around other dogs 

• Come when called 

• Stay in place while you walk away for a short time 

These are all great skills. Dogs who pass the CGC are showing that they’re respectful, directable, and ready for more experiences out in the world. These are hugely important to becoming a therapy animal team. 

But therapy animal visits aren’t just about going out in public: they’re about creating safe and joyful moments with people who may be in hospitals, classrooms, senior homes, and more. That’s why Pet Partners looks for a few extra skills. 

What Does Pet Partners Look For? 

At Pet Partners, we register therapy animal teams, which means both you and your animal work together as a pair. Our program isn’t just about obedience, it’s about being ready to visit people in a way that is calm, comforting, and safe for everyone. 

To do this, we ask all teams to complete our team evaluation. It has two parts: 

1. The Skills Test: Like the CGC, this checks for polite behavior (things like walking on a leash, staying with you in a crowd, and sitting when cued.)
2. The Aptitude Test: This is where things get more specific to therapy work. It includes situations like:
   1. Someone petting your dog a little too roughly
   2. A person shouting nearby
   3. Being surrounded by people or touched unexpectedly 

These scenarios help us see how your dog handles unusual or stressful moments—and how you help them stay safe and confident. Because great therapy animal teams aren’t just well-trained—they trust each other and know how to handle the unexpected together. 

What Are the Similarities Between CGC and the Pet Partners Evaluation? 

If your dog just passed CGC, that’s a great sign! Many parts of the Pet Partners evaluation are similar to what you’ve already practiced: 

• Meeting strangers politely 

• Staying calm around crowds and other dogs 

• Walking on a loose leash 

• Coming when called 

• Sitting and lying down when cued 

These are all important for therapy animal work, too. You and your dog already show strong teamwork, and that’s something we at Pet Partners love to see! 

What’s Different . . . And Why It Matters 

While CGC shows that your dog has good manners, therapy visits can bring surprises that go beyond everyday behavior. Here’s where the CGC and Pet Partners differ. 

Let’s say you’re in a hospital room, and a patient tries to hug your dog tightly. Or a child in a classroom grabs your dog’s tail by accident. Or someone nearby yells or drops something noisy. 

In these moments, we want to know: 

• Can your dog stay calm and recover quickly? 

• Will you notice their stress signals and support them? 

• Will both of you stay safe, respectful, and positive? 

The Pet Partners evaluation checks all of that. It also looks at how you work as a team. Our trained evaluators observe if you stay connected with your dog, give encouragement, and step in when needed. 

Why does this matter? Because therapy animal visits are about much more than just “being good.” They’re about creating moments of connection with the people you visit, while protecting the well-being of your animal every step of the way. 

Remember: we always put animals first. If a situation is too stressful for your dog, that matters just as much as how well they sit or stay. A great therapy animal team is one where both the human and the animal are happy and ready to visit together. 

So… What’s Next for You and Your Dog? 

If your dog just passed CGC, you’ve built a great foundation. Now you can take the next steps to see if therapy animal volunteering is right for your team. 

Here’s how to get started with Pet Partners:

1. Take the Handler Course

This course teaches you what it really means to be a therapy animal team, from infection control to supporting your pet. It’s all about setting you up for success.

2. Practice for Therapy Scenarios

Help your dog feel comfortable in new places, around new people, and with unexpected sounds and movements. You can do this by practicing in public spaces like garden centers and home improvement stores that allow animals. Pay attention to how your dog feels and how you can help.

3. Sign Up for a Team Evaluation

Our evaluation helps us see your teamwork in action. The Pet Partners team is cheering you on and wants you to feel confident and ready!

4. Join Pet Partners

Once you pass your evaluation and complete your registration, you’ll be part of a nationwide network of therapy animal teams who are changing lives every day. 

Final Thoughts 

Passing the CGC is a great achievement. It means your dog is polite, well-trained, and ready for more. But therapy animal work is about more than just good behavior: it’s about connection, compassion, and partnership. 

If you’re dreaming about sharing your animal with others, Pet Partners is here to help. We’ll guide you every step of the way, so you and your pet feel confident, prepared, and proud. 

You and your dog are a team with a purpose. Let’s take the next step, together. 

Ready to Start Your Journey? 

Let’s take the next step toward volunteering with Pet Partners. Get started here.   

Whether you have a dog, cat, or another eligible pet, we’re here to help you make a difference . . . one visit at a time.