Making people smile.... (pics and videos)

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by rrosenberry

What do you have to do to get them to be a Therapy dog?
The last post said a program. How did you go abt it?

What ever area you decide you would like to get into it is best to call them and
see what they require. Almost all require testing before there will let your animal
in the hospital or nursing home ( physical,temperament and obedience) they
can tell you were to get the training in your area or if you feel your dog is ready
you can go to one of the times they have set up at the hospital for their testing.
I think with nursing homes they want to know that your dog is perfectly groomed
since many patients have sores that could be infected if they came in contact
with an animal that may have skin problems themselves etc. They usually want to
know the dog is outgoing and loves the experience as much as the patient - they
do not enjoy a dog that is trying to get away from them and try to weed out ones
with even the slightest hint that they might bite if hugged too tight or stepped on.
I think the hospital programs are a bit more difficult. Molly had to know how to
walk off lead by my side while we were there at all times so we were tested on this.
They were not to bark since many of the children still needed rest while we were
there and I remember lots of high strung dogs having the problem in the test with
a dropped bed pan to take off and have a violent reaction. When we put the small
dogs up on the bed we had to know they would not bother feeding tubes etc.
attached to these children and the word STAY while they were on that bed was
most important. We were to stay with our dog but there were times when a nurse
may call you outside a minute and you want to know your dog knows in no uncertain
terms what that means. If you know you have a dog that would love the interaction
then you have it made. You might need to take some obedience training and before
you sign up explain what you are thinking of. Good Luck

[mylittletigger]

oh my goodness, it warms my heart so much to see the elderly smile. dogs work miracles. all pets do in that case. but that lady in the piink looked truely overjoyed, keep up the great work.

[Annadoodle]

Originally Posted by crystalsmom

you will love it. I went with my first yorkie to a program here at Childrens Hospital
and it was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

Thanks for the information ...it is so rewarding...

Sophie seems to have a sweet temperment...She is 5 months old...
We are just starting the puppy classes and basic obedience. I hope to work up to an advanced level with her....She will be able to be tested and certified when she turns a year old in April~

I hope to be able to post a Sophie pic just like Sweet Sully~ next summer

[PrinceAmos]

I think it is really awesome what you are doing for those people. They need just as much love and companionship as everyone else. Bless you!

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by Annadoodle

Thanks for the information ...it is so rewarding...

Sophie seems to have a sweet temperment...She is 5 months old...
We are just starting the puppy classes and basic obedience. I hope to work up to an advanced level with her....She will be able to be tested and certified when she turns a year old in April~

I hope to be able to post a Sophie pic just like Sweet Sully~ next summer

I bet you and Sophie will be a great pair. You can see how Sully loves it (slobbering)
all over that man's face. The easy part of it is obedience, alot of work but almost
all can do it but you need a willing dog. I always say, if your dog hates it, no one
will enjoy it but if you have one that loves people and dogs you have it made.
Loving dogs isn't really necessary either but nice. Whether you like the dog or not
it's not a social day when we were on the floor. She was with me and we were to
do our job. After alot of us took our dogs outside to run around a bit. Most in our
group were large dogs that were so well trained that I didn't know if I could do it but
she enjoyed the training so I kept up with it and it really wasn't all that difficult Ha
once it was over.

[crystalsmom]

Also in your area , you may be asked to train with the Delta Society. When Val,
gets home from work she can tell us more about this.

[Passionfruition]

Originally Posted by rrosenberry

Ok,,, not to be mean , but I can't resist,,, I sure hope Sully made it back to those two in the background of pic#2,, they sure look like they a Sully kiss.

Oh yes, Sully got the chance to love on everyone there! I carried him and went from person to person, and each got a chance to pet and/or hold him! It was wonderful to see so many smiles. They would just pet his little head and talk sweet to him and just smile. It was hard to move along to the next person at times because a few of them could have held Sully all day.

As for Sully's training....he has no formal therapy dog training. I met the leader of this therapy dog group while walking Sully in the park, and have been involved with the group ever since. If I weren't moving, the trainer at our local PetSmart was going to meet with me and Sully and see if she could complete his certification privately. She is also a part of this group and has been so kind to do a few favors for us.

Sully is good natured and well trained....by me, but I'm no professional. Sometimes our group goes to the hospital but we can't go yet without official certification. But, every Thursday morning we meet at this nursing home and make our rounds. Many of the residents know and recognize Sully and Luke, especially, and look forward to our weekly visits and seeing Sully do his little circus tricks.

[Lexi's_Mommy]

Thant is so neat, way to go Sully...

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by Passionfruition

Many of the residents know and recognize Sully and Luke, especially, and look forward to our weekly visits and seeing Sully do his little circus tricks.

I bet the two of you were the highlight of their week!!

[SilverStarShado]

Good for you Sully ! Its so nice of you to take time to go and visit these people. I am sure you bring so much joy into their hearts.....Your mommy has a heart of gold for helping you acheive the status to be able to do this!

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Val~ Thos epictures and videos are just priceless. I brings tears to my eyes to see the joy in their faces. It is a great thing for Sully too becuase a dog with a "job" is a happy dog.

[jesscruz]

i swear val, you are truly and angel from above! you and your family including sully will be blessed in many ways for what you do. you are just so sweet!

[rrosenberry]

That is so great Val, Good for you and Sully, Im sure he loves it as much as they do,, alot of lovin' going on.
I did find out that the same obedience class that Bailey took, also teaches for the therapy dog, certificates. Also, my Mom cleans at a nursing home, I asked if people bring pets in, she said " not really therapy dogs, but people bring in their pets for their family memebers to visit with." But she told me the home where she works they have a dog that lives there, a few birds, and a cat, and they just wander around, she said everyone loves on them nonstop. I thought that was great! I had no idea,, If I ever end up in a nursing home,, they better have some animals,, I've never been without a pet, and dont wanna be.

ps,,, I dont think Bailey could ever do it,, he goes CRAZy when he sees a cane or wheelchair (anything with wheels or anything that moves across the floor) I dont think a nursing home would work for him.