Application Process

They are more than a team. They are healing, hope, and comfort in action.

Statement on Certification and Professional Standards for th

Certification Within the Blue Line Dogs

The term "certification" is widely used throughout the canine profession and is applied to therapy dogs, service dogs, emotional support animals, working dogs, obedience programs, and numerous other disciplines. At present, however, there is no single nationally recognized or statewide governmental standard establishing uniform minimum requirements for certifying therapy dogs, handlers, or therapy dog training organizations.

As a result, certification standards vary considerably. Training requirements, evaluation methods, operational expectations, continuing education, documentation, supervision, and recertification differ significantly among organizations. The title "certified" alone does not explain what standards were applied, how competency was evaluated, or whether that competency is maintained through continuing oversight.

Blue Line Dogs encourages agencies, organizations, and prospective handlers to look beyond the certificate and evaluate the substance of any certification program. Important considerations include:

Are there written professional standards and policies?
Is there a structured curriculum with documented training progression?
Is competency demonstrated through objective evaluation rather than attendance alone?
Are safety, risk management, and liability reduction integral to the program?
Is continuing education and periodic recertification required?
Are handlers and therapy dogs routinely observed after certification?
Is there documented oversight by qualified trainers and program leadership?
Are there written procedures for remedial training, suspension, restoration to duty, and quality assurance?

These questions help determine the credibility, consistency, and long-term value of any certification program.

Blue Line Dogs does not represent that its certification is the only acceptable certification, nor does it claim governmental authority over the therapy dog profession. Rather, it certifies its handlers and therapy dog teams only to the standards established within the Blue Line Dogs Professional Standards Series, its written policies, structured curriculum, operational procedures, and competency-based evaluation process.

While Blue Line Dogs has established its own comprehensive certification process, our organization also incorporates recognized foundational evaluations developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as part of its training and assessment program. AKC evaluations, such as the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program and related titles where applicable, provide nationally recognized benchmarks for fundamental canine behavior, obedience, and handler control. Blue Line Dogs utilizes these established evaluations as objective baseline measures while expanding well beyond them through additional public safety-specific training, operational assessments, environmental conditioning, risk management, professional standards, and continuing oversight. By combining recognized industry benchmarks with advanced, mission-specific performance standards, Blue Line Dogs seeks to provide a certification process that is both externally grounded and operationally relevant to the unique demands of public safety therapy dog programs.

Certification signifies that, at the time of evaluation, the handler and therapy dog team demonstrated the knowledge, judgment, skills, professionalism, operational readiness, and commitment to safety required by those standards. It is not viewed as a one-time event, a participation award, or a credential obtained merely by paying a fee, completing a mail-order or online-only program, or passing a single evaluation.

Professional competency is not permanent. Knowledge evolves, policies change, operational environments change, handlers develop habits, and therapy dogs mature throughout their working lives. Skills are maintained through consistent practice, supervised training, periodic evaluation, and continuing education. Conversely, competency may diminish when training becomes inconsistent, unsupervised, or unsupported by documented policies, standardized procedures, and qualified instructor oversight.

Blue Line Dogs believes that certification carries an ongoing responsibility for both the organization and the certified team. Every certified team should remain engaged in regular organized training, recurrent evaluations, continuing education, mentoring, and documented quality assurance. Frequent observation by experienced trainers reinforces proper techniques, identifies developing issues before they become safety concerns, maintains organizational consistency, and protects both the handler and the therapy dog.

From a risk management perspective, organizational liability increases when training is inconsistent, supervision is absent, or programs lack written standards, documented procedures, and continuing oversight. Likewise, certifications based solely upon attendance, one-time testing, or mail-order or online-only credentialing may be difficult to defend when challenged following an incident. A professionally managed program demonstrates not only that training occurred, but that competency has been maintained through continuing evaluation and accountability.

Continuous supervision is not an indication of distrust. It reflects the same philosophy applied throughout public safety. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other public safety professionals continually train, qualify, and demonstrate proficiency because their responsibilities demand it. Therapy dog teams entrusted with supporting those professionals should be held to a comparable standard.

Accordingly, Blue Line Dogs maintains written standards, progressive training, documented evaluations, continuing education, recurrent observation, qualified supervision, and professional accountability throughout a team's participation in the program. Certification is therefore viewed as an ongoing professional relationship—not simply the issuance of a certificate.

Ultimately, the value of any certification is measured not by the certificate itself, but by the integrity of the standards behind it, the professionalism of those who administer it, the consistency with which those standards are applied, and the continuing commitment to maintain competency throughout the working life of the handler and therapy dog team.

Application and training Process

Initial Steps

Applicants should understand that handling and training a Therapy Dog is not an easy task. Becoming a member of Blue Line Dogs is no exception. We pride ourselves on recruiting, training, and maintaining only the most dedicated handlers and the best-trained dogs. Because a significant investment of time, effort, and resources goes into preparing and certifying a Therapy Dog Team for field duty, our application process is stringent and our training process is demanding.

That said, it is our promise that once accepted as a trainee, we will do everything possible to help each team succeed in training and, ultimately, certification. We do not compromise safety, and we also ensure that every applicant is a good fit for the program.

Initial Steps

Informal Overview – Interested individuals may contact us to discuss the program. Staff may conduct an informal interview and provide an explanation of program requirements.
Observation Session – Once cleared, applicants are invited to observe a training session without their dog. This allows them to see our techniques and speak with current handlers and trainers.
Application Submission – Prospective handlers are invited to complete an application that gathers information about the handler, their dog, and their current level of training.

Evaluation and Selection

Temperament Test – If the applicant wishes to continue, they and their dog participate in a temperament test with a trainer.
Formal Interview – Based on the application and temperament test results, applicants may be invited for a formal interview with the Blue Line Dogs staff. This step allows us to further assess commitment, dog-handling skills, and expectations while addressing any questions or concerns.

Program Requirements

The mission of Blue Line Dogs is to support First Responder wellness. Therefore, applicants must also apply to their respective agency’s Volunteer Program or Reserve Corps.
Accepted applicants must commit to attending required training sessions. Attendance, however, is not a guarantee of continued placement with Blue Line Dogs.
Safety, professionalism, and dedication are non-negotiable expectations of every handler and dog team.

At Blue Line Dogs, teamwork takes work—and only through a rigorous process can we ensure that our Therapy Dog Teams are fully prepared to serve those who serve our communities.

Handler and Dog

Handler Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old
Must be in good health and physically able to handle their dog safely and skillfully
Must understand and commit to the Mission of Blue Line Dogs
Must be willing to participate in all required training and program activities

Canine Requirements

No restrictions on age or breed
Must successfully pass all required evaluations and temperament tests
Must be able to remain safe, calm, and reliable in public settings without behavioral issues
Must provide a current health certificate listing all vaccinations
Must be properly licensed in the handler’s jurisdiction

Training Program

Once accepted, all participants and their dogs are classified as Handler/Canine Trainees – Phase 1, regardless of prior experience or titles.

Structure and Cost

Training for both handler and dog is provided at no cost to participants.
Sessions are held at locations designated by Blue Line Dogs.
Handlers and dogs may progress more quickly through training phases based on their individual skills and performance.
Each phase must be successfully completed before moving on, with a final certification test required at the end of the program.
All phase testing is administered by Blue Line Dogs Trainers following American Kennel Club (AKC) guidelines, regardless of any previous titles or courses

Training Phases
The program begins with basic obedience and gradually advances to complex scenarios and tasks. Training incorporates:

Controlled exposure to distractions
Maneuvering through diverse environments
Realistic scenarios designed to reflect field conditions

Handler Coursework

Upon successful completion of Phase 3, handlers begin additional coursework, which includes:

Psychological First Aid
Pet First Aid and CPR
Suicide Awareness
FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) 100 Course

At Blue Line Dogs, we stand by our motto: “Real Training, For Real Dogs, For Real Life!”

We make every effort to ensure our teams are prepared for the environments and situations they will encounter in service.

Volunteer Agency

Upon completion of Phase 3 training, Handlers are required to:

Submit a Volunteer Application with their respective partnering Agency.
Complete a Live Scan background check.

Each Agency maintains its own qualifications and standards for acceptance into their Volunteer Corps.

Current Agency Partnerships

Blue Line Dogs is proud to have active Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) with:

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)
Vernon Police Department (VPD)
Burbank Police Department (BPD)

These partnerships allow Blue Line Dogs Therapy Teams to serve Sworn and Civilian employees as part of each Department’s Wellness Program.

Certification and Probation

Upon completion of all phases of training, each Handler/Canine team must successfully pass a final certification test. This test, designed by Blue Line Dogs, evaluates the team’s ability to work safely and effectively in a variety of realistic scenarios.

Certification Process

The evaluation measures:

Handler skills – safety, control, communication, and leadership
Dog skills – obedience, temperament, focus, and resilience
Teamwork – ability to perform as a unit under stress and in dynamic environments

Teams that pass are granted Probationary Status for field duty.

Probationary Period

During probation, teams are monitored by Trainers and Senior Handlers while working in the field.
This period ensures the Handler and dog can consistently demonstrate readiness, safety, and professionalism.
Once a team demonstrates competence without supervision, they are advanced to Full Certification.

Annual Re-Certification
All teams must be re-certified every January to ensure continued proficiency, safety, and adherence to program standards.

Re-certification covers both Handler and dog skills, with emphasis on maintaining a high level of performance.

Team Participation Requirements

Monthly Visits
Each Certified or Probationary Team must complete at least one Facility or Event visit per month.

Handlers may use one month per year as a vacation month.
Requirements are subject to change based on program needs.

Quarterly Training
All teams are required to attend a minimum of one training session per quarter.

This ensures ongoing viability of the team.
Skills in training, handling, and safety are refreshed and maintained.

Trainee Attendance
Handler Trainees who miss training sessions for two consecutive months may be asked to reapply for membership.

Disclaimer Volunteer Participation & Responsibility

Voluntary Service
Participation with Blue Line Dogs is strictly voluntary. Handlers are not compensated for their time or services.

Financial Responsibility
All costs associated with the ownership, training, care, and transportation of the dog are the responsibility of the Handler.

Acknowledgment of Risk
Handlers should be aware that working with and around dogs may involve risk.

Liability
Each Handler is solely responsible for any medical expenses, legal costs, or judgments incurred while serving as a member of Blue Line Dogs, including during field activities or training.