Looking for information about training and owning a therapy dog

[datgh]

My last child will be graduating in May and my homeschool mama career will be over.  While I am sad to see it end, I am excited to be able to have time to pursue a new adventure. One area that has always intrigued me was the use of therapy dogs in nursing homes and hospitals to cheer patients up.  I recently lost my faithful furry companion of 12 years so now would actually be a good time to consider finding and training a dog for this purpose.  Does anyone have any experience doing this?  Can someone point me to information regarding what is involved?  I would love to hear stories.

[FriedClams]

I have no advice at all, expect to say that it sounds like a wonderful plan!!! I love the idea and hope it works out for you.

[Pawz4me]

Therapy dog organizations

 

The ones I'm most familiar with (and I'm not all that familiar with them, I just know they've been around a long time) are Pet Partners, formerly known as the Delta Society, and Therapy Dogs International.  I remember when they were pretty much the only credentialing groups for pet therapy.

 

Hopefully that list will be helpful in your search for information.

 

I know some of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities around here don't require any sort of affiliation.  You can contact them, meet with their coordinator (who I assume would want to meet the dog, too) and start volunteering.

[Whereneverever]

No experience in the training-- but when my DD is in the hospital her children's hospital (Colorado Children's) has a "Prescription Pets" program. I'd contact the specific places you want to volunteer and ask them what they prefer to see-- for example CC has all the dogs wear shirts, they train them to jump onto a blanket on the foot of the bed, ect. 

[Scarlett]

My FIL who has suffered from PTSD for years and getting worse, was recently diagnosed with Alzheimers. He has NEVER been a pet indoors type of man (he is 83) but when they moved last year their outside cat became an inside cat by necessity.  The cat has taken up residence on his lap.  He LOVES it.  And then the psychiatrist he began seeing gave my MIL a card for a veternarian (who is a VET)  who helps facilitate the matching of therapy dogs to vets who suffer from PTSD.  MIL went through a process of being approved and they chose a dog and the training will be paid for by this organization.  FIL LOVES the dog.  She is a beautiful mix of some sort..maybe collie and bird dog....she is black and white....and so sweet.  MIL sent me a video of the dog with her head in FIL's lap, looking up at him so sweet...and he was talking to her so sweet.  I think it has really really helped him.

 

Anyway, I love the idea of therapy dogs.  I hope you can find a way to make that work for you.

[TrixieB]

 

 

I know some of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities around here don't require any sort of affiliation.  You can contact them, meet with their coordinator (who I assume would want to meet the dog, too) and start volunteering.

 

20+ years ago, a friend of mine had the idea that we should take my very friendly cat to visit a nursing home as a therapy cat.  Of course, we did clear this with the nursing home first!  Many of the residents were so delighted to see and pet kitty.  Unfortunately, kitty was not so cooperative; he wanted to explore rather than be fawned over.  So we visited just the one time. 

[MEmama]

When I was growing up we raised dogs for Canine Companions for Independence. I think they have since branched out from Northern California and there may be other similar organizations near you. These dogs were being trained specifically for assisting hearing impaired and differently abled persons, so while they might be perhaps a bit different than what you are looking for it might be something to consider. I think we raised a total of 8 dogs. It was a wonderful opportunity as a child, and difficult as it was when "our" dogs graduated and went to live with their new families, it was truly such a gift to be able to hand them over and know we had truly contributed to something so enormously life changing.

 

Good luck!! :)