Therapy dog?

LinLin

I'm wondering if my 5-month pup might make a good therapy dog. How would I go about exploring this? I'm not sure who to talk to or how to even explore this idea.

A bit about the dog: he is reasonably calm around strangers, afraid of nothing, and has a sweet nature. He's 3/4 border collie and 1/4 jack russell, so we're working on overcoming the instinct of 'must chase!!!!' by using sit-stay or lie-down stay while toys used for fetch are being tossed. He's doing great.

I've taken him to the grocery store and pushed a shopping cart alongside him...doesn't phase him a bit. Loves strangers and curious about everything. He's bright as can be... knows basic commands (not entirely consistent yet) plus some extras like get slippers.

I'm thinking he would love having a 'job' as I don't have any sheep or ducks for him to herd. The job of fetching slippers won't keep him satisfied for long. !

Cali

Not 100% sure, but I believe getting his CGC is the first step (Canine Good Citizen) I'm not sure what comes after that though. You can find the qualifications for the cgc on the akc's website

Mikey

AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program - Canine Good Citizen Resolutions on the CGC test

First step-phone a hospital you'd like to do the therapy at-ask for the volunteer coordinator and go through her. You may not need any certification-just sign on as a volunteer and come in with your pet. You may need an obedience certificate and/or the CGC test and/or go through training in a pet therapy society first so don't go to trouble you don't have to-phone the volunteer coordinator first

LinLin

Great -- thanks for this. He starts his official training tomorrow morning.

They say they "incorporate" the Canine Good Citizen scheme, so I'll find out what that means exactly.

Mikey

The CGC is a test-so it's mostly that the dog will lead well with you (heel) sit and stay, greet a stranger, a strange dog and not freak out if you leave the room. So probably expect you to be able to do those things-at least when your done the program and ready to do some therapy

we have loads of therapy dogs at my work and the residents get such a kick out of them the dogs are always happy to come too

kmes

My pug is a certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International. There are other therapy dog organizations you can test with and join. Delta is the other group that comes to mind.
This is TDI's site Therapy Dogs
This is Delta's site Delta Society - Improving lives through Service & Therapy animals

I started out taking Roxy to obedience classes and after intermediate obedience, she took and passed the CGC. A few months later a TDI evaluator was testing dogs at a local pet expo. Roxy and I tested and passed the evaluation.

Passing the CGC is a great start because all parts of the CGC will also be parts of a therapy dog test.
AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program
A dog testing to become a therapy dog will also have to prove it does well around wheelchairs, walkers etc.
This site is a brochure containing the different aspects of the TDI test.
http://www.tdi-dog.org/images/TestingBrochure.pdf

I would suggest that you and your dog test with and join an orgnization because they provide liability and accident insurance for all volunteers and dogs. If you aren't a certified team with an organization, many places will still allow visits but you would be financially responsable if something happened.

Something else you should know is that your dog must be at least 1 year old (thats a rule with TDI- I'm not sure about other groups). You will also need to pay a yearly registration fee as well as provide records (also every year) proving that your dog:
1)is up to date on all vaccinations (DHLPP & rabies)
2)has had a negative fecal exam within the last year
3)has had a negative heartworm test within the last year (or proof the dog is taking preventatives)
4)has had a health exam within the last year.

Mikey

I just want to jump in here-it could totally depend. I work for an NPO in Canada-a long term care hospital and if we allow dogs in who aren't through the pet therapy society and their insurance-we are liable not the pet owner. I suspect legally that's how it is -since they allowed you to go in.

But at any rate-it could differ from place to place, state to state and country to country sounds like your in a program though-so it would be a good idea to ask about liability-is it there stuff or do you have to look after it? Good point KMES

kmes

Here in PA, it is my understanding that if you do not belong to a group then you are pretty much on your own. If your dog was to hurt someone, even accidentaly, you could be sued right along with the hospital/nursing home/or where ever you visited.
Also, if you or your dog were to have an accident while volunteering, you would be resposible for all veterinary or medical care.

I could be wrong! I didn't do much research into liability.

I joined Therapy Dogs International so I know both Roxy and I are covered. TDI provides liability insurance as well as accident insurance for volunteers and dogs. I know that there are limitations on the insurance, but I just like to know that its there!

Mikey

Must be totally different-and totally it does vary from place to place. Like my hospital used to just allow anyone to bring their dogs in but for liabilitiy they make them do the pet therapy thing to use their insurance-and it's diff at other hospitals here too I can bring my bunnies in no biggie-but Mikey has to do the course and do it through them

And I should add; if you have a family member at my hospital-you don't have to go thru the program-you can bring in any pet you own to hang out. Its when we do set pet therapy thru rec that you have to have insurance Just depends on the place.

The stollery childrens hospital doesn't have a pet program yet. My dream is taking Mikey there-he LOVES children-he's insane about them. Dave's cousin is a nurse there and is trying to arrange it on the oncology unit.

I'd say-if it is on the person going thru a program would be a better idea b/c then you'd be covered. Who knows- especially on dementia units how they (or family) are going to react to a dog in the lap?

kmes

That sounds like it would be as rewarding as it would be challenging. I'm not sure I could work with oncology patients, especially kids.
Bless you for wanting to!

Since Mikey love kids, have you thought about a reading program??? A lot of libraries and schools are beginnning to offer kids the chance to read to a therapy dog! It works especially well with children who have a hard time reading. The kids can read whatever they choose, at their own pace and with out feeling like they are being judged. They really just seem to enjoy reading to a dog.
I'm trying to get one started here at our local library! I would also love to be able to bring Roxy into school especially to work with the life skills kids, but I doubt our school board would ever approve.

This is the link for TDI's "Tail Waggin' Tutors" webpage
Therapy Dogs