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I'm thinking seriously of getting some obedience training with my new puppy and eventually volunteering for this organization.
As soon as I read about them, I remembered the physical therapy department at Children's Hospital, where my son received his physical therapy. They use so many creative things to get kids to sit up, reach, take steps. I think a dog in that environment could do a lot of good.
Anybody have experience with dogs in therapeutic situations that could tell me anything I might need to know before pursuing this?
I know the requirements for the dog, I've read the guidelines and I'm going to try and line up some obedience training soon. I've trained dogs before, and I had a lab that was perfectly trained and could go anywhere. I know the basics, and I've already begun some of the initial training with this pup.
I've been hoping to find a volunteer opportunity I could pursue after my little ones start full-time school. This feels like a good fit.
Feel free to offer any comments, positive or negative and especially if you have experience with these types of programs.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Delta Society is one of the more reputable ones. There are I think two others, one of which is TDI or Therapy Dogs International. I'm most familiar with them. Their requirements are like the Delta group, the AKC Canine Good Citizen test with a couple of added distractions like crutches and wheel chairs. My next door neighbor has her dogs licensed through this program and goes to nursing homes frequently. I like the additional stage that the Delta Society has because it gives you more information on how your dog will react in certain situations.
My mother is actually thinking of doing something like this with her little dog. She has a friend who is a teacher who takes her animals to school with her (has to get permission slips signed by the parents at the beginning of the year) She has done wonders with having her dog in the classroom.
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I have a cattle retriever. Or a golden heeler. I'm not really sure what to call him.
We got him from a Golden Retriever breeder who has some unbelievably gorgeous champion bloodline goldens.
Jake, my puppy, is not one of them.
One of their sons adopted a pure bred Australian Cattle Dog (also known as a blue heeler) that wandered into their midst one day.
The blue heeler made the acquaintance of one of their Goldens at an inopportune time.
Jake and his 10 siblings were the result. He's precious, and very sweet and smart. Unbelievably good disposition. He's a perfect fit in our family, the twins were both pretty hesitant about another dog because our last one jumped on them and scared them. They adore Jake. He's not once snapped in anger, despite being subject to a lot of pulling and carrying around by them.
He plays outside with them and chases them but never knocks them down. He's a great dog. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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AJ, this organization is affiliated with Delta Society, so I would have to pass the Delta requirements.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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My wife works as an admin assistant for a school for the physically and mentally challenged.
Some of the class rooms have students unable to leave their beds.
When she started she mentioned "Care Dogs" to the principal. She (the principal) said, "Sounds interesting. Have them come for a visit"
These visits are now twice monthly, and she has more dogs and owners wanting to come than their small school can handle.
Upside, the kids love it and won't ever do without them again.
Downside, surprisingly large number of teachers are phobic of dogs. others are allergic. This must be taken into consideration for every visit.
My favorite discovery made by my wife. Some of these kids can't move there hands to actually feel and pet the dogs.
The dogs, however, can wag their bushy tails. The result is a look of excstacy on these kids faces as the fur brushes against thier arms or legs. It is remarkable.
The training is hard, but the benefits are remarkable.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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yeah they don't look too hard. I don't know how tough the Delta people grade though.
The TDI people tend to be flexible, though there are certain minimum standards. I have one dog Ciara who while she is very sweet and behaves herself, she is very uncertian in new surroundings. I don't know that doing something like this would be good for either her or the people. Personality wise she just isn't cut out for it. My Jake <grin> is bomb proof. I couldn't leave him alone with another un-neutered male, but that wouldn't be an issue for therapy dogs. You may have to show proof of altering at some point since your Jake isn't a purebred dog.
The new puppy Lucy, I don't know how she will turn up. She needs some work. Actually I'm doing a more drastic intervention with her than I've had to do with my dogs in the past. While she was not mistreated she ran in a pack with her sisters until she was nine months old. Only a single owner who, while a very nice person just couldn't give enough indivual attention to all of them. Right now when she is allowed out of her crate she is monitored with a prong collar on her neck and dragging a 6 ft leash so she can't ignore us. Hopefully intervening now will make her a better dog in the future. Right now she's still a bit of a hellion when the collar isn't on!
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Or a golden heeler. I'm not really sure what to call him.
