Pet Therapy in Nursing Homes

[kiddingru]

Any one have a pet they take into Nursing Homes? I have a beautiful 13 week old retriever/chow mix that weighs approximately 28 lbs. has gained 10 of them the last 4 weeks. I thinks she is going to be a big dog. I work as an Activity Director in a Nursing Home and am in a position to train on the job with my dog. I have a specific group of Sensory Stimulation residents who are responding beautifully to pet therapy. I did speak to an organization who certifies pets but says 1 year is the youngest. (I full heartedly disagree!!!) If a loving, docile dog is introduced cautiously and carefully into a enviroment of fragile, elderly and aging population it is a wonderful thing. My dog has in the last 4 weeks learned to wait for an invitation before jumping up, carefully accepts treats ( which is 3-6 pieces of her dry dog food) portioned out during the day to keep her within the allowable diet for her size. Yes she does get two regular meals per day but because everyone wanted to treat the cute little puppy and I didn't want to over treat her, talking 1 cup of her 3 cup quota seemed ideal. It works for us anyways. Needless to say after I talked to this organization about pet therapy and how according to him dogs can't be tested until a year as they have no personality??? A dog at 6 months is not the same dog at 12 months??? Hello . . . Is there something I should know about my pet?
If anyone has any insite to a dogs I Q changing or personality changes please enlighten me.
The whole reason we adopted our precious Buddie was because she was perfect to us. She is unique! Her mother is very gentle and docile, quiet, Buddie doesn't bark, she is kennel accepting (She loves her kennel) I have one in my office at work and one in our bedroom at home. She sleeps there and will retreat there with her favorite rawhide. If at work, we are not doing therapy; she waits in the kennel until break time, so we can go out for one of out many walks. She doesn't have free run at the Nursing Home, she is on a lead under my control at all times or in her kennel. The alternative would be home in a kennel while we worked. The process of becoming familiar with institution noises, alarms, dietary carts, linen carts elevators, wheel chairs, and walkers have become an acceptable way with buddie. I see pets back away from elevators and jump out of their skins at the sound of an alarm. I very much would like to hear from anyone who knows if I am missing something? Thanks!

[RachelJ]

I have absolutely no experience in this field, so I probably shouldn't comment, but I think you are right on target in how you are working with your dog. Although not every puppy would be suitable for on the job training, obviously yours is and it will work to her advantage. You are in a unique situation. In training guide dogs for the blind, I know they start them out as young pups exposing and acquainting them to the very situations they will have to work in later. I don't see how your situation is any different. The organization you talked to probably has their reasons for the guidelines they have set forth. As long as you have the opportunity to train your dog on the job and the nursing home has allowed you to proceed in this manner, why worry about it. Just make sure your dog gets plenty of play time at home, so she can "be a puppy" as well.

[Dixieland Dancer]

I agree, If your dog is doing well in the environment with the elderly don't worry what anyone else says. Keep doing it! From an experienced background in pet therapy though I can tell you that most puppies are not suited for therapy work. They are still little rambunkous balls of fur that get really excited around people or especially other dogs. One year old is when your average dog is able to do basic obedience commands consistenly enough to pass the TDI (Therapy dog international) test. Remember also that most people who do pet therapy volunteer their time in nursing homes and their dogs do not get on the job training! You are fortunate to be able to take your dog to work and not have to put it in the kennel all day. I personally am not that lucky. I also think that a puppies personality is not the same as it is when it is mature. This is just plain common sense. Are you exactly the same as you were when you were a child? You learn from experience which shapes your personality throughout your life. A pup is no different. They learn from experience, they lose the childlike exuberance and become more adult minded, intelligent, and know better right from wrong. This is not to say their personality is not similar to what they had when they were pups. It just means it is added onto with experience. Keep up the good work making the lives of people who can not have a pet of their own richer and filled with bundles of furry love

[kiddingru]

Thanks for the supportive responses. Yes, I'm so fortunate to be in the position of being able to train my Rosebud (Buddie) as one of the aids in Sensory Stimulation in my job as an Activity Director. I have found that my puppy has started to bond with some residents at the Nursing Home who had been rather withdrawn and angry. I see their interaction with Rosebud show a warm and loving side that many people might not ever see. I love my job so much. I love my puppy, and have learned sharing is a gift; as it is rewarding for both Buddie and myself.

[Iditarodfan]

Thank you for the time, effort, & concern both you & Buddie are putting into your Pet Therapy training. Nursing homes can be dismal places without "soft fur", & "kid giggles". The best allow dogs to visit (with up to date vaccinations) & have a resident dog and/or cat. Many elderly benefit from a daily "critter fix". A pet a day enhances the quality of their lives!!
Thanks & Buddie will be a sucess!

[Iditarodfan]

Thank you for the time, effort, & concern both you & Buddie are putting into your Pet Therapy training. Nursing homes can be dismal places without "soft fur", & "kid giggles". The best allow dogs to visit (with up to date vaccinations) & have a resident dog and/or cat. Many elderly benefit from a daily "critter fix". A pet a day enhances the quality of their lives!!
Thanks & Buddie will be a sucess!

[nsweezie]

I have taken both my cat and dog to visit vets in the hospital and they both had a great time.
So did all the vets I think. My dog is extremely docile, she is also very good with children, she loves being patted and having her belly rubbed.
The one request that the hospital had was that the animals be up to date on all shots and healthy. The first time I was there I had a muzzle on the dog, just in case, but all the patients wanted me to take it off.
You will really be touched by how happy your animals will make sick people feel.

[benniegoogle]

Hi,
I think you are very fortunate to be in a position that allows you to introduce your Buddie to the clients at the nursing home at an early age. True, certification for Therapy Dogs cannot officially take place until the dog is at least a year old (Therapy Dog International testing), and it is assumed that a year+ is the time when dogs are mature enough to pass that testing. I'm sight impaired, and am partnered with a wonderful guide dog (black lab) Gwendy. I also raise pups for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and quite frankly, I disagree with the age requirement for therapy dog testing - my opinion, of course. Potential guide dog pups are exposed to every imaginable experience whenever possible from a very early age, in most cases. Sure, the dogs change as they mature, but the more stimuli they are introduced to the better. In guide work, by the time a dog reaches its first Birthday it's likely able to handle all sorts of noise/distraction/temptation. It should be well versed in dealing with anything that a human might encounter on a daily basis, in order to work beside its future sight impaired partner. Each dog is different, of course, and is accepted into or released from the program according to its individual IFT testing (In For Training). I work part time as a music therapist, performing music workshops at adult residences for people who are disabled (mental retardation, Downes Syndrome, CP). In addition to being a superb guide, Gwendy has been a wonderful asset to my work in her dual career as a therapy dog (not officially tested). I have several clients who were initially terrified of Gwen, but over the past two years have become so comfortable with her that they will stroke her and sit beside her on the floor. Let me add, too, that Gwendy is NOT a sedate laid back sort of lab! She's boisterous and goofy, and full of energy (she was affectionately nicknamed "Gwenyth the Menyth while I was in training with her at Guiding Eyes!)! She climbs up into people's laps and slobbers labbie kisses all over their faces! With Gwen, ya either love her or you don't - most DO! Okay... now I've written a novella, so will stop here! Good luck with Buddie! I'm sure she'll be a great therapy dog, official or not!

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Google

[kiddingru]

Thank you, again for your wonderful responses. It is so great! Pet lovers are special people in themselves and that is even more apparent since Buddie and I have spent the last 7 weeks working together at
the Nursing Home. A few problems I have encountered however is the fact that I having worked in the Nursing Department 10 years prior to my two years in Recreation as an Actiivity Director is that I am very aware of unsteady, frail and weaken residents who could easily topple down if jumped upon or even bumped accidently by Buddy, so when the staff agressively approach the dog or even children for a little pet or play time I find myself constantly pulling the lead to control the situation as not to confused Buddy into thinking this is acceptable with all people. In doing so the last week I have found she will automatically retreat at the sight of an agressive passer by unless I encourage interaction. I guess what I'm trying to say is that perhaps if training is started earlier it might be better. I do appreciate all the input as I to am in training and learning more each week. One thing I can say for sure is puppy love is better than any prozac, pain pill or hot pack. I've seen smiles on residents that don't speak any more and felt the bond of love. Thanks again.