How many forum members are involved in Pet Therapy?
As you all know, I have 2 Therapy dogs...Pearl (14 yrs) and Heart (2 1/2 years)~~ Being involved for the approximately 20 years, I find that it is a way to be a contributing member in our community. I also get so much satisfaction and pride when one of the pups makes a difference, if only for a couple minutes, in someones life. Both Pearl and Heart know they are doing something very special. As soon as that T.O.U.C.H. harness is buckled and they begin working, there is a change in their temprement and personality. I would like to hear about other member's experiences. Thanks!!!!  |
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| I think this would be a fantastic thing to do. I don't have the first clue how to get involved in it... and now that we are moving to Germany I'm not sure they have it over there...(or if they do it's probably in GERMAN and I know about 3 words! HA) |
I got involved about 25 years ago (the girls were babies and they will be 26 next Monday!  ) when a dog friend in the area started a chapter of TDI therapy dogs. She had gone back to college for her Master's and this was her project.The original owner of my dog school was very big on dogs and dogs in the community and dog related civic groups. (She donated many hours and $$$ toward our canine police dogs and safety equipment, and advocated against breed descrimination way back before it was the hot topic it is today). As her assistant at the time, she "strongly encouraged" me to join the group forming and give it a try. I was somewhat sceptical if I could do it - mainly d/t time and distance issues. I lived out of town and I had baby twins! But, I joined as a charter member and fell in love with it! Many training sessions I attended with the girls in tow in their double stroller...oh, those were the days! My 1st therapy dog was my long haired GSD Jenny. I also had basset Daisey, rat terriers Fudd and Kipper, OES Oliver, Min Pin Tazz, and choc.lab Macy over the many years. Simon (11) and Chewie (4) are both my current certified therapy dogs. LeAnne and Martha passed the test last month, so they will be joining us as well. As a local chapter, we visit area hospital and nursing homes, assisted livings, group homes, mental health facilities. We also do a lot of dog education with youth (preschools, elementary schools, at the Y for various kid's programs, READ program at the public library, summer camps, group homes) and in our community at events, and are speakers for area civic groups. It a super way to get out and volunteer and help your community We are always made to feel very appreciated, and our dogs are always the most popular attraction! |
Harry sends congratulations to Martha.  |
| Harry is a therapy dog. He HATES his harness but he has always rushed into whatever facility we are working so I know it is just the harness.  He totally loves the job and the attention. I can even tell that he has some favorite people when he works. |
| I really am interested in getting involved in Pet Therapy. Would like to learn more about how to get started. When my mom was in the last stages of Alzheimers the nursing home would allow me to bring the dogs to see her- on those occasions even though she couldn't communicate she would brighten a bit and seem a little more alert. She loved her pets and the boys seemed to make a difference for her. They seemed to sense that she was ill and they were very gentle and loving. I do think it would be a great way to make a difference for people in the community. |
| Winston ( 9 years) is therapy dog with the Delta Society and a R.E.A.D dog. I got into therapy because of how much you seemed to enjoy it Val. We visit two senior homes and he is a huge hit. I think he enjoys the attention ( imagine that from a sheepdog, huh?) Pet Therapy really seems to make a differnce too - we visited one client a few months ago that had just entered the facility with his wife. She was fine with the move, but she told me he had been very depressed and he had said very few words since the move. Winston went up to the gentleman and put his chin on the man's leg and just stood there and looked at him- Winston never does that. The gentleman looked down at Winston and smiled. He didn't say anything that day, but just rubbed Winstons head and smiled. We have been back twice since that time and the guy seems to light up when he sees Win. I think Winston's visits help him. Thank you Val for all your encouragement for doing therapy with Winston. It has been something nice he and I can do together  |
| ^^^^^^^ I am so happy (and proud) to be a part of your decision to make Winston a therapy dog!! It doesn't take long to see the mini miracles these wonderful creatures perform on the clients they visit, with their acceptance and unconditional love. I really think it is the BEST way to be involved in volunteering...NO ONE sees you...NO ONE knows your name...it is all about the connection between the dog and the client..you are almost invisible!!!! |
| We began doing therapy visits about a year ago. I showed Nelson in conformation for awhile but he absolutely hated it. Told him he could quit but he needed to get a job so we got our TDI certification. I knew he'd be great with people but didn't realize I would enjoy visiting as much as I do. We visit a local nursing/retirement facility and do Tail Waggin' Tutors programs at our library. (picture below) People always love seeing dogs in situations where you wouldn't normally expect them. Seeing an Old English Sheepdog in the same situations never fail to attract attention.  |
| I'm working toward getting Wendel involved in Dog Therapy. He is currently doing obedience and will then take his Canine Good Citizenship test after that I wanted to get my dogs involved into things that I thought they would enjoy. Wendel is VERY people focused. When we go to the dog park, he gravitates to every person. When we've gone to the vet he has gently gone to each person, laid his head in their lap and put a paw on their legs. There is a therapy group at our local hospital that wants therapy dogs to help children who have experienced loss - to help them cope and get through their sadness. I think it would be great to have Wendel be apart of that healing process. |
| Erin, it sounds like Wendell would be a wonderful Therapy Dog. |
SheepieMommy wrote: Harry sends congratulations to Martha. I passed it on - Martha briefly blushed - then went wild......  |
| I would love to do the touch therapy and the reading, but Ru is still too bouncy. It's on my list after obedience, showing and agility, by which time he should have more manners (by that I mean he will be older, not that agility will make him an angel) |
| Patch and I have been a pet therapy team for 6 years. I can' tell you how many people have been comforted just by Patch's presence. Our main focus are vists to 6 nursing homes, an Alzheimer Center, and a psychiatric hospital - the hospital work is the most satisfactory of our visits. Patch won Therapy Dog of the Year, 2006 - Honoree. She is at the beauty shop at the moment getting her summer 'do preparing for another week of visits. |
duffy was the first in are area to pass.. no offence to my group but they were more into their little poodles then my goofball .. she really hated passing us i think ..i have be warned once that duff needs to have cleaner paws  |
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