pet therapy

[brady]

How do I get the boys started with pet therapy? And do you think they are too old to get started? Brady is 2 and Tim just turned 1.

 

[Pam G]

Pat,
They are definately not to old to start therapy work. You could have them tested by the TDI (Therapy dogs International) The TDI test is very similar to the Canine Good Citizen test. There are other groups that you could register with as well..like Delta. This is the link for TDI http://www.tdi-dog.org/

 

[brady]

Thank you for your help. I would love to get these 2 involved. They are so sweet I want to share them.

 

[Liz]

I know exactly what you mean. Troy and I are enrolling in the next class in our area in March. Troy is around 4 yrs old, so your guys are FAR from too old!!! Good luck to you!

 

[alexmaddy]

Pet therapy is great! YOur dogs are NOT too old. My Madison has the TDI title, but I've also heard good things about the delta title. mj

 

[Olivier]

I am currently setting up a Pet Therapy program at our local hospital. The recommended ages are from 2 and up. The program that our hospital is using for training and evaluating is Delta Society. We are even considering becoming an affiliate. I have completed the two training sessions and will be putting Olivier through the evaluation on the 14th of Dec. It is a great program and I have seen first hand the effects a Newf has on a nursing home patient. We are hoping to expand Olivier's resume to the local hospital once the program is completely set up. It has been an experience. Olivier is 2 and does really well at it. But he tires easily and I have to make sure I dont overdue it with him. Plus waterbottles and a collapsible bowl is a necessity. The nursing homes and hospitals are kept warm for the comfort of the patients. About an hour is all he can do. If you have any questions, I would be glad to help.

 

[brady]

Olivier, thank you I wish you lived near us. I know how our guys were with my Dad who was very advanced with Parkinson's disease. They both loved him. Dad could even do the sit signal with his hand as his voice wasn't very strong at times. Of course Dad used to "sneak" them food every now and then too. Thank you again our guys are so full of love I want to share it.

 

[Laura_Loomis]

I wonder if Guido would enjoy that...

OH wait, we'd have to know some obedience commands first...

We have sit pretty well now....but he gets distracted....hmmm...like I have time for this.....

 

[slptomlinson]

Gus just turned 3 in November. We took the 10-week course with Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association and he loved it. He was voted "Mr. Mellow". Basic obedience is a must and don't forget to take that drool towel.

 

[dogger]

I have been working with Boagie and hope to take our test this spring.