Therapy Dogs

[mrs big dogs]

I am interested in training Belle and Bentley to be therapy dogs, can anyone tell me how to get started, what training I will need to do , any help would be appreciated

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

I have a friend who does Pet Partner (Delta Society) certifications, and have help being a volunteer distractor as I say. General obidence is a must with a standard collor (no choke or prong, but I think Martingales are OK). We do senerios with people yelling at each other to see how the dog handles it. There is medical equipment like wheel chairs and walkers being used and even a walker being knocked over to see if the dog totaly freaks. There is a real hands on to make sure the dog doesn't snap at a stranger touch area that some dogs do not like like paws, ears etc. They also have to be able to be offered a treat and take it nicely though I recently read in newf.net another group says the dog can't take the treat. Also several people walk up to pet the dog etc to see how the pup handles a crowd.

 

[NewfieMama]

We are with therapy dogs international; the test ispostedon the site TDI-dog.org. I'd say expose your dogs to as many different people and situations as possible. Watch what stresses them out.

For TDI the dogs have to wear a flat collar or straight harness - no martingale, ez walk, etc. This is connected to their insurance policy somehow.

Basically your dog should be able to easily pass the CGC, have excellent manners, be able to refuse a treat from a friendly stranger (the hardest part for us!) and genuinely like/want to visit with people.

You can express a preference for age groups if you think your dog is better with kids or better with elderly people, by choosing facilities you visit that way. So far we have done all kid visits. I would not mind a nursing home or hospice but have some concerns about How warm it is inside them generally.

 

[Jager's Mom]

Check out your local pet therapy groups. Most have the same basic qualifications, others are more strict.

Here's some to things to start with:

To start with, basic obedience is a must.

No mouthing, biting, pawing, growling, acting aggressive.

Consistent behavior (confident, calm, non-aggressive, etc) from the dog.

Dog should be interested in people, interested in interacting with people (of all ages, races, energy levels).

Dog and handler should have trusting bond.

Again, your best bet is to locate and talk with pet therapy groups in your area. They can let you know what they expect from you and your dog(s). I am a part of two different pet therapy groups (in two different states)...what they expect and put us thru to become a pet therapy team, was extremely different.

Hope that helps.

 

[new_2_newf]

We are a little different, we volunteer with a group called St John's Ambulance, which I'm pretty sure is strictly Canadian, but I could be wrong on that. Our standards are much the same as other therapy groups. You want impeccable leash manners, amazing tolerance for other dogs. You want to start exposing your dog to ad devices like crutches, canes, walkers, wheel chairs, pulled oxygen tanks and the hoses that come with, colostomy bags, catheter tubes/bags, etc. Don't forget to expose them to a variety of people as well...some physical disabilities cause people to have a variety of physical difference than the 'average' person, and some other disabilities can leave people to be mute and distant, and that can really throw some dogs off. You also want to start exposing to a variety of noises, particularly loud unexpected ones. To start is absolutely acceptable, it's the recovery they are looking for. I have one resident we go visit that has advanced Alzheimer's and can be hugging Sulley, then yell a random profanity at a nurse very, very loudly and essentially right in Sulley's ear. It's important that they are able to cope with those sorts of situations.

The other thing to consider is your own ability to cope with those situations. I'll be the first to tell you it isn't easy, and it isn't for everyone. It can be emotionally difficult dealing with a person that has dementia and forgets a lot of things, or get disoriented or upset and you don't understand why. It also breaks my heart to visit some residents that are well in mind, but have no other visitors. They search for us every Saturday, just for someone to say hello to and chat with for a little bit. On the other hand, when a normally distant and mute person looks at your dog and smiles, then reaches out a hand for a small pet, it's an amazingly gratifying experience. It is really something very special, and that is the reason we go back after the less pleasant ones.

I'm hoping we can be tested to work with children and the mentally handicapped in a few months, so I'll let you know how that goes. That would allow us to enter into some group homes and participate in reading programs and the like.

 

[mrs big dogs]

Thank you for all the info, i will keep in touch on how we are doing