Therapy dogs

[bptiggermom]

:rolleyes:

Hi there, I'm new to this, so bear with me. I'm hoping that someone out there has or is training their pets to use as therapy dogs. I live in a very small town in OH, and can find absolutely nothing, but will soon be moving to a larger city. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
BPtiggermom

[originalfatc]

For you, or as a certified service dog?

I'll see what links I can find for you, there's organizations everywhere.

[bptiggermom]

I have two boxers that I want to train to work especially with older children and geriatrics, visiting and hopefully brightening their day. I'm in Ohio at the moment, but in the next few months will be moving to the Pittsburgh, PA area.

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thank you so much for answering!

[bptiggermom]

P.S.

I'm owned by Bouncin' Pouncin' Tigger (brindle boxer), and Miss Molly (fawn boxer puppy).

[originalfatc]

Here's a starting point:
Specialty training for the handicapped, including therapy dogs (http://forumpets.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Web_Links&file=index&req=viewlink&cid=15)

You can also contact nursing homes, etc, in the area you plan to be in, they may have their own programs they prefer you to go through.

These programs have pretty strict requirements, and no matter how you feel about your dog's capabilities or temperment, they may not make the cut

Still, it's an excellent thing to get involved with!

[bptiggermom]

Thanks, will check it out.

From what I've seen the testing and qualifications are tough and rigorous.....better that though than someone getting bitten.

Our nh here says "just bring em in as long as they have shots." No way Jose!!! That place is just asking for trouble doing that. Besides which, I would want to know what I'm doing first as far as the handling aspect goes.

My other dream was to train for search and rescue, but the training for that is at least 3 states away, and I will be moving here shortly and remarrying and starting a new home, so that's not an option right now, but using them as visiting therapy dogs is a workable goal if they make the cut.

Thanks for all your help.

[jenn]

congrats for you for wanting to have a therapy dog. I am interested in doing that too but haven't really looked into it yet. I think I need to wait until my kids are older so I can really devote some time. My brother was in a terrible accident, hit by a drunk driver in a full size pickup while he and his fiance were on a motorcycle. His fiance died and he was very close to dying as well. He does not remember much from being in a trauma center in Las Vegas, but he does remember being visited by a therapy dog. He held that little dog's paw and stroked it with his thumb. He relaxed and his breathing became more regular, it was amazing. I would love to hear of your progress in this as it happens. BTW boxers are one of my favorite breeds!

[bptiggermom]

Will try to keep ya updated. My oldest daughter is soon to be 16 and lives with her dad, and my soon to be 13 YO daughter lives with my fiancee and I. Sort of scary, my niece was in a car accident and coma for almost a month, but came out of it completely, and I saw what strides she made with just her own dog, just like you.

Boxers are the most intelligent breed I have come across, and I'm a dog lover. They are very intuitive and have to be in contact with their humans at all time. I've already gone through 2 obedience classes with my 1yo named Tigger (brindle/markings identical to a tiger). He will already listen to hand commands. Poor thing tolerates being dressed up at holidays, and let a 6mo crawl all over him at Christmas and just laid there, even when the baby was tugging on his ears and exploring his stumpy tail. At the end of the month our newest addition arrives, Miss Molly, yep another boxer who was just born at the end of January. There is also the thought in the back of my mind of training one for search and rescue. I don't know. I may just concentrate on the therapy end.

If you care to send me your regular EM address, I will try to keep you updated. I can also be reached at oldfashionedgal10@comcast.net or oldfashionedgal10@yahoo.com.

If you find anything more let me know. I'm sort of stumped at the moment and trying to find something close or more info.

[jenn]

I have never had the pleasure of owning a boxer but have a couple friends who own them. I have a lab mix and a chihuahua mix they are great, but as adoptees I don't think they would make good therapy dogs. The lab is very hyper even at middle age and after several obedience classes. she also has some sort of seizure disorder. My Chihuahua is very apprehensive when he first meets someone and a little barky. I think I would need to get a younger dog to work with before I could do any therapy. I also have a son, 4 and a daughter, 9 months so they take alot of my time right now. Have you thought about contacting the hospitals or nursing homes in your area to see if anyone does it already? If you can find someone who has experience they would be a great resource to get you started. good luck! jen_northcutt@hotmail.com

[jenn]

check out www.tdi-dog.org It tells you about the tests and when they have them