Well, today was the big day! We had our first nursing home visit, and we had a great time

Jack is our two-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. I decided when he was still a pup that I wanted to do Therapy Dog work with him. Lest there be any confusion, Therapy Dogs are NOT assistance dogs. They are the dogs that go visit at nursing homes and schools to provide some joy and comfort to the people there.

Jack has always been a sociable little guy. We live near a large busy park, so he's been out and about in it every day since he's a pup. We're blessed, because it was so easy for us to provide extensive socialization. He's great with dogs, kids, people in wheelchairs, toddlers, everybody. And of course he has that Corgi smile, so he makes friends with everyone we meet. It was the way his cheerful disposition and (if I do say so myself) good looks draw people out that made me decide to do therapy dog work.

I did all his initial training myself, but when he was almost two I signed up for a class specializing in getting people to pass the test for Therapy Dogs International. It's basically the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, with a few extra things thrown in, such as being able to "Leave it" when there is food on the floor, and being comfortable around wheelchairs, walkers, canes, running children, and people who are hacking and coughing and generally acting ill. We went through the 6-week course and Jack passed his test. He got his papers from TDI at the end of April, but we were very busy in May and did not make it to any visits.

So today was Jack's first visit. I'm so proud of my guy! He was wonderful. He got lots of pats, and got to show off some of his tricks. He had everyone telling him what a handsome guy he is, which of course makes him very proud! And most importantly, we put lots of smiles on lots of faces. We had people telling us stories of dogs they had growing up, or dogs of friends. We had people asking what kind of dog he is, and about his long back and short legs, so I got to explain that Corgis were cattle dogs, and their short legs kept them underneath the kick of cows. It was a wonderful feeling to provide some excitement to a dreary, rainy Saturday afternoon at the nursing home.

Everyone seemed very pleased to see us (except a few in the back who kept nodding off) and asked if we'd be back, which of course we will. All the dogs were well-behaved. There was even another Corgi! She was very sweet, much mellower than our Jack. She looked like maybe she needed a bit of a diet, though.

It's a very rewarding way to give back a little to others, and the nice part is that you can give an hour a month or several hours a week, depending on your schedule. If your dog has been through basic obedience and is pretty bomb-proof with people and other dogs, a CGC or TDI class is a wonderful next step to take. You won't regret it.