DAMARISCOTTA — Professional dog trainer Jean Conte will conduct a therapy dog team class sponsored by Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center. The six-session class will be held at 5 p.m. Thursdays beginning Dec. 11 and continuing through Jan. 29, 2015, at The Lincoln Home, 22 River Road in Newcastle, according to a news release from Spectrum Generations. No class will be offered Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Potential applicants for Therapy Dogs International Testing are not required to take any therapy dog classes, which are not sanctioned by TDI. TDI registration is a natural extension of the AKC-Canine Good Citizen program for dogs who are particularly sensitive and attentive to people. For more information about TDI Testing requirements, this includes some steps of the AKC-CGC test, visit www.tdi-dog.org.

The $80 participant fee is payable to the instructor. For more information and to register, call 563-1363. All ages welcome as well as dogs. Minimum class size is five participants.

Also, for dogs who haven’t received their Canine Good Citizen certification Conte is offering a six-week class at 5:30 p.m. beginning Dec. 11. The CGC program was designed to help pet owners feel confident that their dog is trained well enough to enjoy accompanying them out in public. The CGC has also become a standard first step for handlers wishing to train their dogs for therapy work. CGC teams are ambassadors for dog friendly communities. This class at the Lincoln Home in Newcastle will focus on the 10 requirements for passing the AKC CGC test. The CGC test will be administered during the last class. Participant fee is $80. Minimum class size is five participants. To register, call 563-1363.