[header] How to involve a dog in pet therapy work [title] Consider your dog's temperament. [step] The main requirement for a therapy dog is that they must be incredibly calm, emotionally secure, and comfortable around all types of people. If your dog is nervous, shy, aggressive, or has any other qualities that cause him to behave in standoffish or threatening ways around people, then he would not be a good fit for therapy work. 
A therapy dog needs to be calm and comfortable when : [substeps] He is approached by or surrounded by many people (children or adults). He is roughly touched or hugged by someone.