Therapy Dog?

[primabella]

For some time now I have been thinking of making Mickey a therapy dog. Nothing is official and I haven't even phoned the hospitals yet (my sister volunteers so we'll wait until she starts there again) but first I want to get some info. Hopefully you can help me. :)

I think Mickey would make a great therapy dog because he is so gentle, social and calm and he LOVES people. And (not to brag :o) but people love Mickey. I'm just curious if there are any requirements of a therapy dog? And if anybody has had a therapy dog, if you could tell me a little about it. (I will be doing research but if you have any info, that would help me out)

Thanks! :)

[Moose]

I don't know much about therapy dogs and I'm afraid I don't have any answers to your questions, but good for you!! It's great that you want to help! :D

[primabella]

Thanks Brooke! :)

[Corinna]

I would start at the AKC site. they have some info there and there are therapy dog sites . I don't have my list handy but I'll try to find it later. I'm thinking about training Lady for it she has the personality for it of the two monsters I have.

[lv4dogs]

most hospitals & schools require your dog pass the canine good citizen (CGC) test & some may even require obedience & socialization classes.

It may vary from hospital to hospital as well as state to state, county to county etc...

i would contact akc they may know what is needed in your area, also check w/ the hospital you plan to attend to see what they require.

I used to do it w/ my old dog but poor nanook is getting too old & my time has been sparce lately

[GoldenRetrLuver]

That's great you're considering it Liana! :D

In a few months or so, I'm *hoping* Daisy can get her CGC (Canine Good Citizen), so she can go around to hospitals, nursing homes, and my aunt works with disabled kids, and Daisy would be great with them. I just want to make sure she's really ready. People come up to me all the time and tell me what a well behaved dog she is, and she's VERY social! :D The dog has to get it's CGC with most organizations if you want to participate. It basically shows your dog is trained, you can handle him/her, and your dog is friendly and non aggressive.

Here is a website that explains more...
http://www.akc.org/cgc/testprocedures.cfm (http://www.akc.org/love/cgc/testprocedures.cfm)

http://www.kerryblues.org/KB/TDII.HTML

And here is an excellent site that tells all about therapy dogs.
http://www.cofc.edu/~huntc/service.html

[binka_nugget]

I'd actually contact the CKC seeing as how you're in Canada. I don't know if they're out there in your area but you can try contacting saint john ambulance. They have a therapy program. Most places require you to have your dog certified. I found maybe 20 locations and only two didn't require the certification (I needed one that didn't require certification since our name was on the waiting list at BC Pets and Friends and wouldn't get assessed til March).

It's really rewarding and fun. I only went twice with my boys. We had to stop because they were getting way too stressed out. They were really shy and scared and I didn't want to introduce them like that so we have to work on new surroundings and new people but 10 people crowding over them at one time is way too much for them right now.

[binka_nugget]

Here's a site with the saint john ambulance therapy info.

http://www.sja.ca/english/volunteer/therapy_dog_program/index.asp

[primabella]

Thanks for all the info and websites. It's very appreciated. :)

I'll check them out soon. It's still all an idea but I really want to go for it. I didn't know you needed a certificate and all. :( Mickey never went to obediance classes. I'll see about e-mailing the children's hospital and asking them about it.

Thanks again. :)

[stacwase]

That's wonderful. I'm sure Mickey could brighten up a lot of dreary days for people. Some people very rarely get visitors - and it's so rare for them to get to see a dog. It will make a world of difference.