Therapy Dogs

[Andre Mendizabal]

I didn't know where to post this... but here it goes. Yesterday we went to a pet fair near home and there was a stand that recruits therapy dogs, after seeing Nala's behavior with the people and other dogs, one of their representatives approached me and invited us to join the program. I really never thought about getting into one of those programs, mainly because Nala is still young and full of energy... Anyway, this person told me to call them so that they can schedule an evaluation to Nala and see what is it that she needs to work on to join the program...

Anyway, my question is, has anybody had a therapy dog? and if you do, what are the things you must look to see if she is suited to be a therapy dog? What features of her personality are importat for that? What is a good age to start working on this? And how was your own experience?

I'm really thinking about it.... :)

Thanks

[Lauren Frisbie]

Well, Whiskey isn't one, but I used to work with one. He was a golden that had already been trained and I just showed up at the nursing home and his owner would hand him over to me. It was supposed to help the animal learn to accept direction from someone other than his owner. Cue me, the 12 year old...lol. I worked with Sandy for about 6 months until I moved away. It was a wonderful experience. These are the things I remember being tested on with him:

- They brought in a wheelchair, a walker, and an IV pole. Then they watched his reaction to those new objects.
- They knocked over the walker and it made a loud clattering noise. They watched his rection.
- Basic obedience.
- Walking alongside another therapy pet and watching his reaction.
- Walking through a crowded hallway and watching reaction.
- Having a stranger appraoch and pet, watch the reaction.
- Having a stranger pet, but using a heavy hand and kind of petting awkwardly, like old people do.
- Then we had to stand and someone in a wheelchair wheeks by and slightly bumps the animal, they watch reaction.

Those are all I can remember, it was a couple years ago. I think animals have to be at least a year old, but I'm not sure. When Whiskey is older, we will check it out a little more. I know that it was wonderful to go, I couldn't wait each week to go!! :p The Delta Society is one of the biggest names out there for therapy pet testing. Check them out on the web and they can give you more info! Good luck and keep us posted! ~lauren
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[TimberWolf]

I think that is an awesome idea. I know I can't do that with my dogs. Sparky is just not confortable around a lot of people and skye is too afraid. But I think if you have a pet that is capable of being a therapy dog I could imagine that being such a reward to see your pooch make so many other people happy just by being a dog.

I don't know if vets will do this with therapy dogs but I know my old vet used to help with puppies being brought up to being guide dogs. He would offer free check ups and general health needs. But if there is a vet that does help with therapy dogs that is also a nice little bonus ;)

[Grace Erick]

This is a post from another dog site that I found about therapy dogs:

There are several organizations that register therapy dogs:
Delta Society Pet Partners
Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Therapy Dogs International
There are others, but those are national organizations that have testers/evaluators all over the country. Also, your dog will usually have to be more than 1 year old, of stable temperament, and have manners & skills equivalent to the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.


Also, I just read in a magazine that it can cost anywhere from $25-$150 to become certified or registered, have a vet exam, buy some sort of apparel that I guess either you or the dog wears. I think you can take the course through the mail or in person, but you will eventually have to be seen in person with your dog to be evaluated.