I am (finally) fulfilling a dream..
Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a special bond with animals...most importantly, my love for dogs. I had to wait a very long time to actually get one, and once getting a rescued sheepie, Pearl, I was hooked on this breed. My first and foremost passion, as everyone knows, is pet therapy. Willow will be my fourth therapy dog, (fingers crossed) as she cannot take the temperament test until August when she is 2. Ever since October 2014, I have been taking classes to become a therapy team trainer. Although it is a long process, I am willing to see this through. I spent 3 hours, once a week for 8 weeks, ""booklearning", doing homework and taking tests. I am not the best at the schooling thing, but I did pass!!!  Tonight and for the next 6-8 weeks, I will be a "student intern". I will be attending at least one therapy class per week, auditing the trainers and trainees and their dogs. I will be writing my observations about every team (there are about 13 teams in tonights class), watching how the teams interact with each other, with the trainers etc. I will be a fly on the wall, so to speak. Once a month, during this time, I will be meeting with the other interns to go over all my data. IF all goes well, I hope to be assistant teaching by the summer. Then after about 2 years of this, I hope to finally have a class of my own.  During all of this, IF I am lucky enough to get Willow accepted into the program, I will be part of the class, learning how to be a therapy team, and graduating.... And, on top of this, I want to begin to take Willow into the Rally and Obedience rings..and, maybe try her at agility... """GIRLS GOT TO HAVE FUN TOO""""  I don't know if I am too old to learn everything needed to be a therapy trainer...but, I have such a desire to help others experience what me and my therapy pups have witnessed in the past 22 years. HAPPY NEW YEAR...it will be a busy one, that is for sure~~~~  |
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Congratulations! You'll be a fantastic trainer and team! As for the "too old" comment - I was a freshman in college at age 42, and finished my masters just after I turned 49. There is no such thing as "too old!" |
| I can't think of a better person to go into therapy. I'm sure you will be fine and Willow will learn from Mom's knowledge and calmness and both of you will excel. Congrats on accomplishing the first steps. I know another sheepie girl cheering you on from above........"That's my Mom, I knew she could do it." |
SheepieBoss wrote: I can't think of a better person to go into therapy. I'm sure you will be fine and Willow will learn from Mom's knowledge and calmness and both of you will excel. Congrats on accomplishing the first steps. I know another sheepie girl cheering you on from above........"That's my Mom, I knew she could do it." Thanks, Susan...you brought tears to my eyes.....my little Heart  IS watching down on Willow and me..... |
Best of Luck. Sounds so wonderful. I am so jealous.  I would love to be able to have a therapy dog and bring joy to others. With your love of animals and patience I am sure you will become a great teacher. |
| Well, you certainly inspired me to take a therapy dog course with Virginia and we now do weekly visits to a nursing home. So of course you will be able to inspire your students, both human and furry, to become great therapy teams! You have that blessed combination of patience and humour. You also bring so much experience that you will be able to share. I would take a course with you as the instructor in a HEARTbeat!! |
 Congratulations! You will do great! And you are never to old to learn. Continuing to learn, grow and challenge yourself is what keeps you young! Heart and Pearl are smiling down on you and Willow! You go girl! Cindy |
  So proud of you, Val. That's AMAZING!!! You have inspired so many of us to become therapy teams and spread our sheepie love to those needing it most. What a fantastic trainer you will be!!! Congrats and full speed ahead!!!!   |
| Thanks everyone.....I really appreciate the support!!!!! The first class, last night, was interesting, to say the least. Trying to make notes on all the teams was a job!! I had the persons name, the dogs name and the breed. Of course, keeping notes on the only Keeshound, GSD, Lab and mixed breed was a piece of cake...but I had 2 shelties and 2 shih tzu..and, like most people who can't tell one sheepie from another...unless you have one, it was a chore. But, I think I held my own and made notes on the good and not so good of each team. Most of them...(like us...  ) do not praise enough for obeying commands and some of them had no idea what their dog was doing at various times..and some had their poor pups confused as the commands were not given in a consistent manner...but~~it was an experience that I will enjoy every week and I AM learning so much!!!!  |
| Oh congratulations!!!! I aspire to do therapy work with Daisy one day - your dream is so much bigger, and now you've achieved it! Wow! You're setting a great example for us. Thank you! |
Ha ha! I don't think anyone is ever as consistent with their commands as they think (hope) they are! Except me and Val, of course!   Have fun, and learn lots!!! |
| ^^^^^^^^^ Yes Diane...JUST me and you~~~~   I have been known to forget the "praise" part too~~~~ I remember, one time Pearl and I were getting on an elevator to begin a hospital visit. There was a very nice man who was waiting too, and, as always, I asked if he minded being on the elevator with a dog. He replied, "No"...So I preceeded into the elevator, walking to the very back corner, turned around to face the doors and said, "Pearl, SIT!" which she did. The man followed us in, and, as the doors were closing, the man turned to look at me and then at my sweet pup...and THEN HE said ..."Good Girl to sit, Pearl"... (((To which I had no reply, I just turned very red and was embarrassed for my lack of 'PRAISING'))))...... |
| That's awesome! Sounds like you are really enjoying it and what a great skill/service to have. CONGRATS! |
| It sounds like you have a good start to living your dream. Congrats! |
| Yay Val! So excited for you!! You will do a great job!! |
| So fantastic that you are passing pn all your knowledge and experience, Val. You'll be a natural. |
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