Therapy Dog Ruling

[Kelly]

I received an email from the head of our local Therapy Dog Program. Owen is in the middle of his testing schedule. Anyway..In the email she stated that if your dog is fed a raw diet, that he or she can no longer participate in the program. Owen is not affected, but others will be. Does anybody have any idea why they would make this ruling? I've never heard of such a thing???

 

[ardeagold]

I've heard of that before, but I'm not sure why.

Perhaps their saliva contains remnants of raw meats, which could carry the bacteria they often contain (like salmonella and E coli)?

Of course we know that even semi cooked foods can contain these bacteria too...and so can veggies. But maybe the concentration and the risk of passing it on is higher when they've got raw meats and poultry in and on their teeth?

I don't know...just theorizing!!

Oh...and please don't misunderstand. I'm not saying they're right. I'm just trying to figure out their rationale.

[ 01-19-2005, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]

 

[sarnewfie]

Tiffany had that happen she is in minnesota

 

[Angela]

Hi Kelly,
Can you ask why this rule? I'd be really interested in finding out the rationale. What about the dog that takes a bite of the occasional dead bird, or fish on the beach that it finds, I'm not saying that our Newfs would do that

My Lab might, and she's a Therapy dog!

 

[blstarke]

I have done therapy dogs for 34 years and am appauled at the rules that the Internationals are doing. You are the volunteer and should be applauded for the work which you do.
It is not the facility that is setting these unbelievable rules but the organizations.
Sunshine Therapy Dogs is an International organization and does not set such strict rules.
We treat our members as royalty and welcome new ones always because the miracles which the therapy dogs do are amazing and will never be forgotten. They are truly angels

 

[MGoBlue]

I am currently in therapy dog training, and my trainer said up-front that dogs on raw diets would not be allowed to participate and test with her.
Ardeagold is exactly right; it's because of diseases like salmonella and E-coli. Dogs are not affected by these bacteria in the same way that humans are. While it is true that occasionally non-raw fed pets will come into contact with foods (or other "stuff") that will cause them to carry bacterial diseases, it is a mainstream belief that the chances of carrying are greatly increased when a dog is regularly fed raw meats.
The chance of transmitting a disease from a raw-fed dog to a "normal" person may be slim, but the nature of therapy work includes visiting people with already compromised immune systems. Many therapy organizations are making an effort to protect these people by banning raw fed dogs from their programs.

I found an link that explains the rationale pretty well: Therapy Dogs and Raw

 

[sarnewfie]

i have a question
how are they going to enforce this?
it will be easy for people to say their dogs are on kibble, when really not.
just curious.

 

[MGoBlue]

Therapy dog certification serves as a liability insurance policy.
Take Delta Society, for instance. If you are Delta certified, and your dog does something on a "visit" that causes damage or harm, you have liability insurance under Delta in the event that you get sued.
Now let's say that Delta implements a "no raw" rule as part of their health screening for membership. Sure, you could try to lie and say that you don't feed raw, but if they did find out, they could revoke your certificate, hence revoke your insurance. YOU would then be liable if your dog caused harm. (**note - as far as I know, Delta has no such "no-raw" rule; I'm just using this organization as an example.)
Lying would be a big risk to you and your dog.

 

[Ivoryudx]

This is interesting because when we were going to Childrens, they do their own screening, and testing, temperament, and physical. They not only require you to get your normal Vet visits, but they also require you to go to their Research Lab. and have their own Vet run tests every 3-6 months, at their expense. This keeps everyone honest, helps to not add extra expenses on volunteers, and safeguards the hospital and their patients. Dogs have to have a complete bath within 24 hours before they visit, and have to wear a jacket through the hospital, til they get to the area they are visiting. They even offer certain programs to volunteer dogs who acquire Cancer, etc. if it is available, because they do their own research.

It probably helps that the person in charge of the program is a Newfie Person, and worked very hard to get it implemented.

I guess the requirements, all depend on where you go, and what organization you go through.

Susan

 

[Annie Milliron]

I've been checking with our local group (mvPTa) and so far, nobody knows of any such policy. This group requires vet checks every 6 months. Hmmmmm...

 

[blstarke]

Most facilities like to do their own requirements.
They prefer that the dog is temperament and obedienced tested but they still do their own.
About insurance, guess what?
If the dig scratches, the insurance will noy cover it since they say that it was the owner's fault since you allow the dog to touch the patient.
Insurance is a huge controversial issue, as in anything they try to fight and not to pay a claim

 

[Annie Milliron]

One of the reasons our group (mvPTa) requires 6 month vet check-ups is due to insurance. Member's of the group, that comply with the regulations, are covered by mvPTa's liability insurance. Members are also encouraged to have their own liability coverage as well.

 

[janices]

I've heard of that too.

I found one of the therapy dog org letter on raw diets by doing a search:
http://www.therapydogs.org/Raw_Food_Diet.doc and it explains their reasoning.

 

[Jeannie]

Susan,

I visit Children's in Dayton. We only have to have on file a yearly vet check. Fecal every 6 months. Of course a bath is required before going. No jacket is required. We visit all of the hospital exept the NICU and the sugery. Yes we visit Hemoc (cancer kids) and the ICU as well as the emergency room.

For everyone's information. If you do volunteer pet therapy work and your pet hurts someone it is covered under your home owner's policy. Now if you are getting paid then that is another story. Believe me I checked with my insurance agent about this. I still have my dogs certified with delta and TDI, it never hurts to have extra insurance.

 

[newfmalcolmlover]

So have they had a case where a dog fed raw diet has given someone a bacteria? So this would also mean no marrow bones and stuff like that. Just seems wierd. If anyone should get sick you would think that it would be the dogs owners having all the contact. Bacteria's don't pick and choose their targets. If a bacteria's present it's able to infect all with contact.
They aren't like a virus where some don't get sick and others do.
So how many owners here have gotten a bacteria from the raw diets that you feed???

 

[Angela]

Originally posted by newfmalcolmlover:

So how many owners here have gotten a bacteria from the raw diets that you feed???

Not yet

 

[blstarke]

It's just another control thing that the organizations are having.
Pretty soon, no one will want to join therapy dogs
I do not believe in all theses strict rules.
I do not feed raw but it should be up to aan individual to feed what they want.
If the dog tests negative for any bacteria diseases, then why can't they do therapy work?
Membership fees are becoming outrageous, the insurance really isn't that high, these organizations are supposed to be non profit?

 

[Annie Milliron]

Judy, I agree with you whole-heartedly. It's quite sad, really. I get so discouraged when human beings get so wrapped up with power and control. I just wish they could leave well enough alone. I understand the need for policies, but having worked closely with the Board of our local group, the problems seem to be a bunch of over-blown ego's on major power trips.

 

[blstarke]

isn't it the truth, Annie?
That is the reason for the Sunshine Therapy Dogs is so simple . After all, therapy dog teams are the ones that are giving their time and should be treated with true respect. There is no reason for all the exttra rules and restrictions.

 

[MGoBlue]

Originally posted by newfmalcolmlover:
Bacteria's don't pick and choose their targets. If a bacteria's present it's able to infect all with contact.
They aren't like a virus where some don't get sick and others do.

That is false.
Bacteria can seriously infect some people and not have any effect on others. Bacteria can "invade" anyone with whom they come into contact, but whether or not a person shows signs of getting "sick" depends on that person's natural ability to fight the bacteria. It depends on the strength of that person's immune system.

We volunteers who do therapy work need to consider that many (probably most) of the people who we visit have weakened immune systems. They are more vulnerable to bacterial infection than a person with a "healthy" immune system.

I completely disagree with the assumption that this is a "power and control" issue. I think that this is a common sense issue. The nature of raw feeding involves exposing the dog to certain types of bacteria that are dangerous to humans (there is a reason why we have to use separate cutting boards for chicken and vegtables, and why we have to disinfect our countertops and wash our hands after handling raw meat.) A raw-fed dog has a high chance of being a "carrier" for bacteria like salmonella and E-coli. While the bacteria levels may not be high enough to infect you, the healthy owner, they may in fact be high enough to infect these poor people who are already having a tough time in hospitals and nursing homes.
Just because someone is a volunteer with good intentions doesn't mean that that person doesn't have the capability to do harm.