Lets talk about Therapy Dogs
 , I work in a major hospital here in Milwaukee. In this hospital we have therapy dogs of all shapes and sizes. I've seen and met many of them. Unfortunately in the ICU where I work they are not allowed  One of my little pleasures is meeting one(or more) of the dogs as I'm walking around the hospital. Of course I talk to the people that belong to these dogs also but the dog is my main focus. One of the things I've noticed and that makes me sad, is I don't get ANY reaction from the dogs. Of course I know that they can't jump or lick or be too excited but I don't get anything. No little doggy smile, no little tail wag, and NO EYE CONTACT. I can't for the life of me get these dogs to DO anything. I get down to dog level and talk in a happy voice and pet them and they are off in never, never land...no reaction. Nothing. Its like I'm not there. How can a dog cheer a person up if they are ignored. One of the things I love about a dog is how they look at you with those big brown(usually)eyes and melt your heart. You look in those eyes and all you see is LOVE. They will do anything for you and be (mostly) happy to do it. I once thought that Simon could make a good therapy dog but he's not laid back enough and there's a lot of training and thats too much for me. I'm not good about training and thats ok...As I said he's just not calm enough. Plus I don't want a dog thats like the ones I meet in the hospital. Is this normal for a therapy dog? Don't they have to show some life, besides just breathing? Maybe just a little tail, or bum wag. A little look to show they are happy to meet you. Lets hear from the therapy people, cheer me up a little. |
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| Hi Pam, Greta is a certified therapy dog in our local hospital's WAGS Pet Assisted Therapy Program. There are over 50 dog/handler teams and the dogs are calm, even tempered dogs. While the dogs are not allowed to bark or react to equipment or situations, they definitely show a reaction to people usually in the form of a hug, smile and definitely eye contact. I can really only speak for Greta, and her calm non-reaction to environmental stimuli, but she gets close to those around her and will present her face to patients in their beds and gaze in the eyes of patients. Our dogs go through intense training to present a calm demeanor but definitely show warmth and love to the patients. The dogs are amazing in their reaction to patients and their ability to "read" patients and give them what they need. Greta will remain calm while patients bend down to give her a big bear hug and "work the crowd" going from one person in a room to the next for her hugs and pets. She absolutely loves her work and is loved by those she meets. In a hospital setting, it is important that the dogs are non-reactive because one never knows when an emergency may arise and the dog and handler must become invisible in light of the crisis. So, in our program, the dogs are warm and loving but non-reactive to what is going on around them. Sandy, Winson, Oliver, Greta, Mellie and James |
Our dogs here are not like that at all. They wiggle, wag and even kiss if people want that.  Of course they need to be calm and under control, but it's a fine mix of outgoing yet still interactive that we want. And when I'm testing, if the dog isn't seeking people out, they won't pass. This last weekend at our DSR test, the same behavior was needed. The dogs needed to lead the interaction, not the human. The dog needs to be the one initiating contact with the people, not vice versa. Maybe the dogs are tired when you see them? My sign my dogs have given all they have is when they stop seeking attention and are getting like you described. |
Quote: Maybe the dogs are tired when you see them? My sign my dogs have given all they have is when they stop seeking attention and are getting like you described. That is what I was thinking, Dawn......it does depend on when you are seeing them. We are 'allowed' 45 minutes for visits, but most of the time, it goes longer, which is fine with me, but I can see Heart slowing down, "looking for the sliding door of the room that goes up, down and out"  TOUCH dogs are taught not to be intrusive, and, in addition, with their large fluffy body, they do need to keep all 4 paws on the ground at ALL times. When Heart hears, "go say HI!" she knows it's OK to go up and get aquainted. (not every person loves dogs like we do!!..  )These dogs are so adept at 'reading' their clients, as Sandy states....much more that us mere humans. So there are times when I respect if she becomes a little reserved.This is a big part of the trust as a team. HOWEVER.....if I see a 'client' who is wanting some 'action'...some bouncing and fun, I CAN get Heart riled up and she will begin to 'come alive!' and be a little unruly UNTIL I tell her ""ENOUGH!""~~.(very quietly).and she will immediately settle and sit. All this is trained in her, very slowly, as time goes by. Therapy dogs are expected to walk quietly into a room, lay their head on the bed for some pets,pats and conversation (between the client and the pup)..then be on their way to another room. Or, at least that is a way our visits go. Sure, if I see someone needs some extra care, petting, etc...then I will miss a few rooms and spend time with this person. Heart will generally lay by me, or by the person depending on who will pet... Having said all of this....I have 2 little brags..(not to hijack your thread), Pam... #1~~~~ Out of over 250 teams in the program....MY PEARL...is NOW the OLDEST therapy dog!!!!!!  #2~~ Heart and I are completing an application to begin to visit at the St. Louis Childrens Hospital!! I am so excited about this!! And can't wait for Heart to bring smiles on the childrens faces as soon as she 'waddles' into their rooms!!!!!!  |
| Val, lil'Butterball Heart at a children's hospital??? That's like something out of a classic Disney movie! She's perfect of course! I know Kim is very very keen to get Mady involved in therapy, she will be turning 2 in a couple of weeks (ALONE and ABANDONED ) and I believe that's the age they need to be to start. One thing I'm really happy about already, from a very young age, we trained her not to jump on people, and no matter how excited she can get when she meets her favourite people (aka everyone), her paws stay on the ground. |
| oh...David!!!! Mady will make a marvelous, wonderful Therapy Dog!!!! I will expect she will be on the news often. There is no heartwarming picture than a sick child with a huge smile on their face, with a huge fluffly sheepie sitting there with that same smile!!!!! |
| Nelson is a bit more reserved than many dogs but that's just the way he is. In the facility that we visit, a nursing home/retirement center, it's a bonus that he is this way. He bounds in the doors to go to work but does get tired by the time we're finished so he does act a bit more aloof at the end of the day. There are people who really love the dog kisses, others who are terrified of dogs in general. We have to find a balance between the two. If someone is physically able to hug and kiss Nelson, he's totally receptive and reactive to that. He doesn't generally put paws up on the beds but has been requested to by some that are unable to reach him. He moves gently and cautiously despite being such a large dog. He seems to be able to read how people want him to react, which is great for the place we visit weekly. When we do the Tail Waggin' Tutor program at the library, the kids always want to interact more than the seniors. Nelson seems to be able to read that, too. He still knows that some are intimidated my his size so he does remain a bit reserved. That's just the way he is, he was born mellow. One of our foster dogs is very sweet but more of an "in your face" dog. I think she would make a great therapy dog but maybe not in the same type of facility that Nelson and I currently visit. Our local schools are considering adding a full-time therapy dog for their reading program so a dog with her personality may be a great fit for that kind of work. If anyone is interested in doing therapy work I'd recommend that they give it a shot. Find a local chapter of whatever group (TDI, Delta, PAWS, WAGS, Pets on Wheels, etc.,) works in your area and see what their dogs do. Most will allow you "shadow" them for a day without your dog to get an idea. Some groups have requirements and tests that are more difficult than others but honestly, all are great training for any dog in addition to just being fun. Just try testing for the fun of it and see what happens. |
| That's interesting, Nita. Belle and I used to work an Ahlzheimer's home and I did NOT feel that was the right venue for her. She is more of the reserved type too. Very gentle and she would READ people for an invitation - which most ahlzheimer's patients couldn't necessarily give her. I had to teach her a "go greet" command to initiate interaction, but I could tell she always felt she was in the wrong if the recipient wasn't giving off "please come to me" body language. She was the epitomy of polite. At almost 14, not so much (Go, Pearl!) Belle could work a crowd of children, however, like nobody's business. (Val, I am so jealous - I begged them to let us work with kids, but they felt her quiet, gentleness would be perfect with the elderly - I disagreed and still do) Sybil is just like her when it comes to kids. at agility trials we get mugged by "short people" and she's in her glory. I wish I had more time, but there's just no way. Kristine |
| Does presenting your butt for rubs, leaning into people if I am not careful, sneaking kisses and occasionally getting silly count as being "alive"? Well Pam that is Harry! I do my best to walk that fine line of keeping his calm but letting his personality shine through. He loves his therapy dog work but after we get home he always gets wild. Almost as if it is too much for him to be well behaved for an hour. He is popular with both the kids and the seniors that are amused by his "exuberance". |
| Guinness always wiggled his little butt when petted. He would look the patients in the eye as if to say you are the only person in the room!! He was much more reserved when he put his vest on but did the right amouht of leaning and snuggling. He knew up which was to put his front feet up on the bed and easy up when he put one front foot and back feet up one at a time to lay on the bed He could not do this with large patients because of his size no room on the bed!! Some patients on bed rest would sit up and he would sit on the bottom of the bed for them!! He would gently lay his head on their chests when sitting or laying next to them We have not done any therapy work since his surgery and mine but I am thinking of starting back It does indeed take a dog with a certain personality to be a great therapy dogs Passing the test sometimes is not enough BUT seeing a dog is still wonderful when you are stuck in the hospital!! One PT used to get Guinness singing every time we went in the PT room!!!! |
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