I would be interested in taking my golden retriever to visit people in special care homes (once she calms down) but I don't know what needs to be done in order to qualify her for this. I also forgot the name of such a dog.
2006-12-15 12:23:14 · 9 answers · asked by Dellajoy 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Therapy dog...thanks. By the way, I live in Canada.
2006-12-15 13:08:02 · update #1
First you should enroll in obedience class, then take a Canine Good Citzen class and when that class ends your dog will take the CGC test and then you go from there to be a Certified Therepy Dog. When your dog passes the CGC test you will recieve info about who to contact to get certified, you will work with somebody in mock situations and when they feel your dog is ready your dog will be tested again to become certified. The test is very simular to the CGC test.
Good luck
2006-12-15 12:33:27 · answer #1 · answered by Judy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you looked into local clubs yet? I'm a volunteer with NERR&R and some of the rotties that have come through our program have earned different titles. I would start with the CGC test (Cainine good Citizen test) , once you have done that you can easily get certified as a Therapy dog. I would get a Temperament test done as well.
They also recommend that you complete at least basic obedience with your dog, which can be a lot of fun and a great way to socialize as well.
You can go to your local clubs, check with rescue groups in the area, even your local pet store. Many times they will have fund raisers where these tests are administered. They are a lot of fun, and don't feel bad if you fail,it just gives you the opportunity to find out where you and your dog need to improve on so that you can get certified as a Therapy dog.
I have a friend who's rottweilers are therapy dogs, and they not only visit retired people, but they also spend time with children at the museum, reading books and teaching them responsibility. It really is very rewarding!
Here is a website to keep when you have completed some of the tests i've mentioned.
http://www.deltasociety.org/
Good luck to you and your pup!!!
2006-12-15 12:35:04 · answer #2 · answered by onebigassdog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First let me say I live in a town of less than 20,000. I have a small dog, shihtzu cawker mix. She has visited a nursing home here without any certification of qualifications and was accepted and loved by all.
Have an elderly aunt who had a therapy stay for a couple weeks, took Peppie there also, and again had no problems taking her in as long as she was on a leash.
It is so interesting to see attitudes change for the better when they see a little friendly dog.
I'm not sure what you mean by calms down, but I would think she would need to be mellow.
Good luck.
2006-12-15 12:33:59 · answer #3 · answered by Queen Bee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I volunteer my time to an organization that is a Therapy dog group in my city. Our group is affiliated with the Delta Society and the dogs must go through several training classes prior to being accepted into the Therapy Dog training program.
Goldens make great Therapy Dogs and the work is very fulfilling for both dog and handler.
Go to this site. Look up your state and you will find a list of Pet Partners you can contact in your area. Good Luck to you and I hope you and your dog become a great Therapy Team.
http://www.deltasociety.org/TextOnly/MembersEvaluators.htm
2006-12-15 12:40:21 · answer #4 · answered by kelli123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-02-15 23:12:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe therapy dogs is what you are thinking of. I think your first step in this direction is to get a "Good Canine Citizen" certificate. In order to do this, your dog has to exhibit certain characteristics, typically a very obedient trained dog will pass. Check the AKC website as there is good information about this.
2006-12-15 12:27:06 · answer #6 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a wonderful thing for you to do. Visiting dogs to ailing patients as well as going to assisted living facilities.
Here is a web site that will answer all of your questions. It's http://www.tdi-dog.org/ or http://www.therapydogs.com/ . You can also go on the web page www.akc.org and I am sure that they will have a link as well.
Best of luck. It will be rewarding to everyone.
2006-12-15 12:35:29 · answer #7 · answered by witchywoman143 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you tried talking to the head administrator of a nursing home. they probaly could give you some ideas. or your vet. and the people at the petco or petsmart might be able to give you some ideas they train your dog for somethings anyway. i hope these ideas help. good luck
2006-12-15 12:33:30 · answer #8 · answered by shortstack 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Therapy dogs.
There are several programs for certification, the most well known is the Delta Society. http://www.deltasociety.org
2006-12-15 12:29:32 · answer #9 · answered by Bindi *dogtrainingbyjess.com* 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋