Anyone out there have Therapy Dogs?

[pack momma]

I do a lot of work with mine, not only in the traditional Nursing Homes, Schools, Senior Centers, etc. But also in the local Hospital. I was wondering about others in different places. Maybe sharing our great experiences, problems and goals.





there is no reward like the gift of giving..

[raybeck]

I do a lot of work with mine, not only in the traditional Nursing Homes, Schools, Senior Centers, etc. But also in the local Hospital. I was wondering about others in different places. Maybe sharing our great experiences, problems and goals...

I think that is a wonderful thing you are doing!!! I should do that with our schnauzer, people would love her! Cowgirl, too, but she might be too big. How do you get started doing something like that?

[pack momma]

It's not very hard, but I strongly suggest you do it thru one of the major organizations like Delta Society, Therapy Dogs Inc. (mine) or Therapy Dogs International. That way you are covered by liability Insurance. Basically the Dogs temperment is 90% of it. The dog must be high energy, but controlled. obedient and well socialized with both people and other animals. The dog will be tested as to its response to sudden noises, movements, equipment etc. The handler will be tested as to Her control of the dog, willingness to correct if necessary, and ability to be attuned to the dogs levels of stress. For a list of Testers in your area just get online to any of the major organizations and they will have a list for you. Good luck to you, It is vvverrry rewarding.
I always dress my dogs up and when I can figure out how, will post pix.

If you can, work with a group, then you can expand what you do into actual shows as well as meet and greet at facilities.

[raybeck]

Thank you for all the info. Sounds very interesting...we are outside a small town, so don't know about the organizations, etc., but would be worth checking into. It sounds wonderful. Thanks heaven for folks like you!!!

[ladybug56]

We have a Blue Merle Australian Shephard, she's 60# & only 7 months old, I found her on the highway,she was only 6 mos. old,(give or take a week or so) just the tiniest little thing just trucking down the hiway!..I slammed on the brakes & managed to stop the traffic coming at her,as by this time she was in the middle of the road & just sitting there looking at me when I called to her, in the mean time a loaded logging truck was coming down the hiway, & of course being loaded he couldn't stop, when he saw me waving for him to slow down he did & swerved around us after he saw the little one & realized what I was trying to do..anyway I picked him up, (didn't realize he was a she at the time ) got in the car,traffic resumed, and here's me, big blubber I am over animals started crying with her nestled in my neck shaking & hanging on for dear life!. I was going to take her to the SPCA,called my dh first after I got to town, he said to bring her home that we'd just try her out for a wk. or so to see how thing's went with her & to see if she would fit our life style & we her's..so I took her right up to the Vet's to find out what breed she was, she had brown,black & tan spots on her,& the corner of her one eye was blue, I had never seen this before, any way they told me her breed, so while I was there I picked up a HUGE bag of dog food for her!, yeah right!, all this food for a wee pup that may stay with us for a couple weeks, I guess I made the decision right there obviously LOL..She's a working dog, although this is Ranch Country,we don't have a Ranch ourselves but live out in the country, so she get's lots of excercise, she's very intelligent & loving, we have to be in her sites all the time!..I hope I'm not boring you yet!, we call her Sugar, & this is the strange part, I alway's said that if I ever had another female dog I would call her sugar, where I found her was in an area called "Sugar Cane Hill" also, when I go to town, which takes an Hr. I never make a stop,that particular morning I did,if I hadn't, someone else may have picked her up or more likely she would have been hit, now if that isn't fate, then I don't know what it is, my dear mother alway's said "thing's happen for a reason" MY dh & I still marvel over this, & you know,we can't question it, it's not for us to know & we just have to accept it for what it is. I hope you don't mind, but I just had to share this story with you! Eileen

[Justawoman]

I love you dear lady. What a sweet story. Thank you for sharing. This ole world could use more heart touching stories.

[Justawoman]

I think that is a wonderful thing you are doing!!! I should do that with our schnauzer, people would love her! Cowgirl, too, but she might be too big. How do you get started doing something like that?

Beck our local nursing homes, in this area, let you bring your pets on certian days. All they request is that you know your pet is gentle. You might just call and talk to the Activity Director at the nursing home in your town. He/She might not have ever thought of this and would need to check with supervisors and insurance probably but I know we are allowed too bring pets and the residents just love it. Well those with their right minds do.

[raybeck]

That is so cool JAW, I think it would be very rewarding!!!

Ladybug your story reminds me of our Cowgirl, we didn't find her on a busy highway, but she found us out in the country and is a Red Healer, she does help work our cattle (when she is in the mood..ha ha) and we love her to pieces. I guess they adopted us, huh?

[ladybug56]

Yes Beck...I don't think we find them so much as they find us :D

[ladybug56]

I do a lot of work with mine, not only in the traditional Nursing Homes, Schools, Senior Centers, etc. But also in the local Hospital. I was wondering about others in different places. Maybe sharing our great experiences, problems and goals.





there is no reward like the gift of giving..


No truer word's were ever spoken Pack Momma ;)

[ladybug56]

I love you dear lady. What a sweet story. Thank you for sharing. This ole world could use more heart touching stories.


Thankyou, to another dear lady ;)

[pack momma]

Dear Ladybug, what a wonderful story, I'm sure no one was the least bit bored. We all loved it. Go girl! So often in our work, people share their stories of beloved pets that they have lost (died) It's really nice to hear a success story.

I only stress about Insurance, because, your homeowners insurance will not cover you within any facility.

Thanks for the kudus, folks. but we think of our wonderful dogs as blessings too good to keep to ourselves.