Therapy Dogs Inc
So They sent me an email yesterday. Telling me that my chances to volunteer won't be as much as if I could during the week but there would be some opportunities. They told me to get tested, then insured. It's a process they have said. My question to all of you involved with this is.... What is involved in the testing? I have 2 months to work on this. June is the next testing date. She is still snarky on leash when another dog comes up. If the dog ignores her she is fine. We also need some leash work. Her previous owner told me that she never kept Mattie on a leash she just walked on her side all of the time. With her history I just want to do nursing home visits. I don't want her around children just in case. Thanks for your help. We can't wait to get started. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
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| I think Dawn would be the best one to answer your question. There are 2 different therapy programs where you live. One is Therapy Dog, Inc. and Therapy Dog International (which Dawn is heavily involved with). I would not be comfortable with an organization dictating how many hours I HAVE to donate. Volunteering is something you do WHEN YOU CAN....How can anyone be available at all times???????? Is it possible that you are misinterpreting (sp) this??? Do you have to get your own insurance?? Again, not sounding right to me. That is the benefit of volunteering with an organization..they provide the insurance. I just know about the program I an involved in. Support Dogs, Inc.~~We have over 300 teams and MOST are full time working people that visit in the evenings and weekends. I have been known to take a vacation day to attend a special event such as special camps for children with disabililties, or presentations etc. Hopefully, Dawn will chime in here....And, we can also talk about it at Sheepiepalooza too....Can't wait ~~~ One more thing...I think it is great that you are thinking about becoming a pet therapy team!!!!! If you have any other questions, I will be more than happy to help you attain your goal~~~  |
| Hi Val I know. That was my thought.. If I'm volunteering why do I have to commit to a certain time. I just started reading all of the many pages of information last night. here is the email they sent me. Thank you for contacting us. I appreciate how much you love your dog and my advice for her would be to have her tested and become a registered therapy dog ( for insurance purposes especially!!) ...we do not certify a dog..these dogs are all registered to do work as a volunteer. They are not insured if you are not a volunteer. There will be some opportunities to work with her as a therapy dog on weekends and evenings but obviously, not as much as if you had time to volunteer during the week. The testing is a process. You need to go to therapydogs.com and go thru that process. Find a tester in the area that you live. It is a process. Our process requires that you come to a class on a Saturday before testing. Our next classes will be in June. We are located in Dexter, Michigan. Washtenaw County. You can find a tester on the therapy dogs.com site, as well. I have a tester in the town I live in I'm going to drop her an email also. I will also check into the other group you mentioned. There is also another trainer in town who started a therpy program. I emailed her a few days ago and haven't heard back. We used to use her and kind of had a falliing out. Not really sure if thats why she hasn't gotten back with me. Thanks for the information. I can't wait until Sheepiepalooza. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
| There is no restriction on visits by dogs certified through Therapy Dogs International. http://www.tdi-dog.org/ Check them out! |
| Lisa, we're looking into TDI for Zoey. They seem to be the best way to go. If Dawn and Val like them, I'm there. Vance |
| Like Val said - I volunteer with Therapy Dogs International. Therapy Dogs Inc. is a newer group - we do have one active chapter of that group in our town too. While I feel TDI (meaning therapy dogs international) is a better organization, I also see where getting out and visiting is the main, most important thing - no matter what organization you belong to! The Inc group does have some odd rules. I do know that! One thing that really bothers me is they allow dogs to test and visit with training collars or head halters - that one really bugs me. TDI requires tests and visits to be done on either a plain buckle collar or plain walking harness. I feel that is key - as if you don't have a calm, well behaved dog on a buckle collar, they really shouldn't be able to be called a therapy dog and be out volunteering. If you need some sort of restraint or control collar to make them behave, it's just not a good thing! In my book that means they haven't had enough training, maturity or they aren't really suited to therapy volunteering. And when the Inc group started I know there was some sort of legal issue - the wanted to use the TDI logo as well (to copy-cat on the already well established TDI reputation!  ) - they picked the Therapy Dogs Inc name as a means to do this.....kind of evil and sneaky!TDI does not require any specific training that has to go through them as a formal class or training. They recognize that many people live in areas where this would not be feasible. Instead, they set high enough standards within the test that the dogs who are not prepared or suitable do not pass. Also - most of these items are either just plain practical skills that a creative person can work on. The obedience portion you can get by going to a good obedience class. The medical part you can be creative - roll carts, make loud noises, have friends act out as various mental illness or disease processes, borrow crutches, etc. If you have access to a facility that will let you visit before certification - that's an option too. And the bottom line is some dogs are just more suited to this - it's the part that is innate and can't be "trained". And the big thing I look for when testing is the relationship and teamwork between the handler and the dog. I don't want precise competitive obedience - I want a relaxed dog who is calm and friendly who is sensitive to their handler and the people they are visiting. The "obedience dog" is too focused on the handler - and they aren't able to see and engage the people they are visiting. It really is a fine line the dog needs to be walking! |
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