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Comment by Teresa on April 28, 2012 at 12:58pm

Baron and I became certified today through Therapy Dogs inc.  We are volunteering at the local nursing home, and Baron will start as a hospice therapy dog with Heartland Hospice  (where mom works).

Comment by Krystle (Luna & Twinkie!) on March 7, 2012 at 7:31pm

Forgot to let you all know that last week Luna and I became an officially certified team through Love on a Leash.  We have already volunteered with San Diego Hospice to make visits at hospice and people's homes.  We will also be continuing to go with other teams to other sites.  I am so happy we are done!

Comment by Geri & Sidney on March 7, 2012 at 4:25pm

Start with basic obedience, they have to be very well trained! Work on passing the Canine Good Citizen Test. If you can find a therapy dog class (it's required for the certification we have) they will go over the typical stressers. We went over walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, loud confused patients and what to do if a patient thinks your dog is his and tries to take him from you.

http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/

Comment by Lemmy Winks on March 7, 2012 at 4:14pm

Both my dogs aren't old enough yet, but I figure it doesn't hurt to start. What sort of situations/stresses should I work on introducing?
I know it's important to expose your dog to as many situations as possible, but I'd really love for them to be with children with special needs and in hospitals. 
 

Comment by Heather Ng on March 6, 2012 at 1:45pm

Katie,  CAAA will place you wherever there is a need at the time you join.  I think you can let them know your preferences, though.  Here is there website:

http://www.caaainc.org/

 

Comment by Katie on March 5, 2012 at 2:28pm

I am also going to look into that. I have taken her to our local YMCA to do activities with the kids.

Comment by Geri & Sidney on March 5, 2012 at 2:25pm

You might also look into your local library! Sidney enjoys visits where elementary school kids read to the dogs. The rules are a lot more relaxed when it's not a hospital setting. Here it's called the "Paws to Read" program :)

Comment by Katie on March 5, 2012 at 2:22pm

Does CAAA work with children hospitals as well? Foxey is AWESOME with children and I would like to get her into a program for the Terminally ill children. I'll keep doing my research and start calling different associations and hospitals.

Thank you guys for your quick responses, the more information I can receive the better!

Comment by Heather Ng on March 5, 2012 at 2:20pm

One note I forgot, the CAAA certification test was exactly the same as the CGC.  If your dog passes that she should be close to being ready to any therapy tests.  Our test had an additional emphasis on "leave it" because of the dangers of patients dropping pills and things on the floor that could hurt them. 

Comment by Heather Ng on March 5, 2012 at 2:17pm

 

We had the very same question after finishing the CGC test.  You have a few options.  If you know a place you want to volunteer you can see if they require their own testing or Delta Society certification.  We found some hospitals require their own certification.  Once you decide where you want to volunteer and what the qualifications are you can start the paperwork.  We just got certified through CAAA (Campion animal association of Arizona) and they have placed us already in a nursing home.  So far it has been a rewarding experience for both us and our dogs.  The Delta Society might give you more options.  We asked a dog trainer in the area who gave us the local names for CAAA. Hope that helps!  -Heather

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