Royal passed the CGC!/Therapy dogs anyone?

[cyber-sibes]

Wooooos, Royal! Congratulations, little dude! Good luck with the rest of your classes, too.
That's very exciting. I've often thought about having Star do theraapy dog visits - she has the right personality. We took her to see my husband's aunt in a nursing home & she loved it. Many people stopped to pet her & talk about their own dogs. Now that we're here in RI, I found a pet shelter nearby that does Canine Good Citizen testing.

Freedom, reading about your experiences brought tears to my eyes, what a lovely thing for the residents!

[Giselle]

I'm in a local Therapy Pet organization with Giselle. Because I'm the only volunteer younger than 18, I'm like a "pilot program" by myself so the coordinator and I always have to nit pick at my options. I visited an elder housing facility a few times, and it was just heartbreaking for me to walk in there. But seeing the astonished smiles on some of the seniors' faces lit up my heart in a way that I'll never forget. I have never felt so much love and empathy for others until this experience and I highly recommend anybody with a well-behaved to do it. Lately, though, we've been participating in PAWS to Read programs where young children read stories to the TDs. Giselle is pretty much perfect for this since her lifelong pasttime is sleeping...

As long as Royal is confident in all situations and does not react to strange equipment, people, or situations, he should do well. And as long as he can listen and obey in these situations, you'll be fine.

I chose not to do it with TDI or Delta because the group I'm with is very close-knit and intimate and I *love* that. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

[mike001]

Congrats on the CGC, good work.
Therapy work is so rewarding. Ask about titer tests for you dog instead of the shots, I think this would be acceptable (in some places the titers are recognized). And you wouldn't have to give up your dream of doing therapy work.

[pessimisaurus]

Thanks!

Freedom- that is amazing, I imagine it could get difficult emotionally, but some of your stories are inspiring. I dont know that I personally could handle working with the elderly or mentally ill, at least not now. I will likely start off slow, which is why Im interested in Reading with Rover. I think itd be a good start.

Giselle- Sounds like your PAWS to read is like our Reading With Rover. Royal too pretty much just lays around all the time. lol There was a time a few weeks ago when I took him into the mall to practice some training and a swarm of little kids slowly gathered around him and he just loved it. They enjoyed giving him treats, were laughing when he sniffed at their ice cream cones (though didnt try to eat them! theyd have really reacted to that! haha), and one of them even wanted to see his teeth! haha He just laid there in the store while the kids petted him and asked endless questions about him and told me about their dogs and dogs theyve met. I really enjoyed it. And just yesterday at the dog park there was a disabled woman in a wheelchair who started talking to Royal who then calmly waltz over to her for some pets and she just lit up. He is afraid of nothing, loves everyone, can be handled anywhere even roughly, he is never hyperactive or excitable, and is pretty much calm and chill at all times except of course at the dog park. Its his calm nature that draws me to working with kids since they can be so hyper and unpredictable and he doesnt react to that energy at all which is good. The main thing we are working on now is more solid obedience with distractions and without needing treats. I know he has all the key elements to be a good theraoy dog, I just hope I can do well at it. Im not super chatty or outgoing, but I think I could handle and would enjoy working with kids.

[gardengirl]

I have done therapy work for 17 years. It's a wonderfully, rewarding activity and I love it. I have worked with Alzheimer patients, multi-handicapped kids, stroke and brain-injured patients, and the last six years, kids with cancer.

I have a therapy dog site for new handlers (http://therapydogs.net). It gives lots of good information that you need to get started. Also, here is a site for people who are interested in reading to dogs: http://librarydogs.com

Congratulations on passing the CGC!

[pessimisaurus]

gardengirl- thank you for the great links! I will check them out right now

[Cincy'sMom]

Congratulations! All three of our dogs are Registered Therapy Dogs, and our local "Paws to Read" program is one of their favorite visits! In fact, we start the fall session tomorrow night!