Comment

Comment by Rebecca Marie O'Bryan on April 11, 2011 at 4:15pm

teddy got to do some therapy training this weekend! it was so exciting. we got to take him into some museums since he was in training. he did amazing. he loved everyone that went up to him to pet him and was so excited the whole time. he wasnt afraid of anything

Comment by Krystle (Luna & Twinkie!) on April 5, 2011 at 11:29am

Thanks Geri!  We'll probably be starting the first week of May, so it's giving us a small break from training.  They were recommended to me from a few different sources, so I don't think I'll mind the drive as much.

Comment by Geri & Sidney on April 5, 2011 at 11:27am

Hi Krystle! We do go to Kindred Spirits, love it there. Liz, Kate and the gang are great. They do take a no-nonsense approach if a dog needs it, but I've seen nothing but the best-behaved dogs come out of training with them.

Comment by Krystle (Luna & Twinkie!) on April 5, 2011 at 11:13am

Geri,

  Did you go to Kindred Spirits in Vista?  I'm thinking of going there with Luna, even though it will be a small drive.

Comment by Geri & Sidney on April 5, 2011 at 12:57am

Hi Jessica,

I'll be happy to tell you how it is with our group, Love on a Leash. Our therapy dog training happened to be through our obedience training school. In order to take Therapy training, Sidney had to have taken basic obedience and have passed his canine Good Citizen test.

The Therapy dog training was a 6 week course in which the dogs are taught to not be afraid of common things they'de see as therapy dogs, such as  wheelchairs, walkers and hospital beds. We, as handlers, are also taught how to react to various scenarios, such as if a forgetful resident decides that your dog is hers and takes the leash away from you.

At the end of the 6 weeks, there was the test. Would the dogs not shy away from a walker with doodads dangling from the handles? Does the handler have complete control over the dog?

 

If you pass, you then have ten hours of supervised visits to keep track of. You go on visits with a visit captain, who will correct you if you do something wrong and praise you on a job well done. After 10 hours, you become fully certified!

 

We've had some amazing times. Some days are heartbreaking, some are uplifting, some are exciting. One visit, an orderly was wheeling a resident from the shower room. The resident was in a pvc-pipe type wheelchair, wrapped in a big sheet, and she was very far gone mentally and was groaning loudly. They came out of a door fast, right in front of Sid. As you might expect, he freaked out and barked a few times..right in front of the managing nurse's office. This manager is not fond of dogs. She came out and said it was strike one. A couple weeks later, a group of us were waiting in the hall (only 2 or 3 go in at a time), and a goldie was waiting with us. Sid loves to play with bigger dogs. He forgot we were "working" and initiated play with the golden. I corrected him right away, but just as the nurse manager was walking by. She said that's 2, you're out and banished Sid! I was so upset, I felt really bad about the others in our therapy group. Both the visit captain and the therapy trainer said that Sid had done nothing wrong either time and that the nurse manager was a (fill in word of choice here!).

The rest of the group was still allowed to visit, but in smaller groups. In the end, there were enough complaints against this manager (from staff and residents) that she left - but I never did take Sid back there. We found a different place to visit and we've been very happy there!

Comment by Jessica & Johann on April 5, 2011 at 12:38am

Hello:

 

I just got my corgi puppy 1.5 weeks ago and I have heard of therapy dogs before but have never known anybody who has trained one or been helped by one.  I would be interested in learning more about therapy dog training.. my little guy is very smart and learns quick.  The therapy dog training wouldn't be for awhile yet (just enrolled to start puppy training in two weeks), but what are the requirements to be registered as a therapy dog?

 

Thanks a bunch :)

Comment by Sarah K on April 2, 2011 at 3:07pm

Our rescue, Snoopy, took his CGC test last year & did wonderfully. He'll be tested later this month for his therapy dog cert. His story's a long one--but at 9 he's the best couch potato, kid lovin, people friendly fella you'll ever meet. 3 years ago--he didn't know his name, never had worn a collar, walked on a leash & certainly had no house manners. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

 

Comment by Geri & Sidney on April 2, 2011 at 2:57pm

WooT!

Comment by The Geek's Wife & her Corgi Ein on April 2, 2011 at 2:24pm

Congratulations to you both! Very exciting!

Comment by Krystle (Luna & Twinkie!) on April 2, 2011 at 2:09pm

She passed!

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