Coby got to play therapy dog!

[For My Coby]

Tonight we went to see my fading mom at the nursing home. We took Coby with us. She has a little poodle at home that is her heart, but her little Shelly gets so nervous when they take her for a visit that it makes my mom nervous.

Coby hadn't gone before, so we weren't sure what to expect. Plus, he's been cooped up all winter, so we were afraid he'd lost a bit of the socialization we'd worked so hard on late last summer. AND he'd been cooped up all day. We were nervous, because Mom can't take a lot of "activity" around her.

COBY WAS AN ANGEL!! Our little wild man carefully climbed up her chest to give her oh-so-gentle kisses over and over. He sat and layed quietly on the bed beside her. He was sooooo good. After a while, he got a little antsy, so my hubby took him out to walk the halls and find other elderly people to visit. (Elderly people LOVE AND ADORE when pets come. They just cry to touch and kiss the dogs.) My hubby said Coby was so good with all of them. He was gentle and kissed their hands and faces.

So Coby got to play "therapy dog" today!! It was so good for him and everyone. He even gave the very exhausted nurses some smiles.

So I wondered, have any of you taken your babies to the hospital or nursing home to "minister" to those that need some puppy-love? I've heard some of you say you were interested in getting acredited/designated/etc as therapy dogs. I always thought it was cool, but tonight I saw how special therapy dogs would be for people.

[a2luckygirl]

Oh, yes, the elderly love little animals! I use to work in activities in a nursing home years ago!
One of the things that you could always fall back on to just get them to talk about was just asking" Did you ever have any pets- almost all did! And they would tell you all about it!!

In the warm weather, my dad would take one of his quarter horses up! Many would come out to look at the horse!! And then the stories would start about a horse they had, or rides they took on friends horses!!

[mypreciouspups]

that sounds so wonderful for you and your mom and of course the little therapy dog... sounds like a heartwarming day for all concerned...good for you to make such a difference.
I have never done this.. in canada in order to do this.. your dog has to be tested and graded and all that stuff.. and that part takes time.. but I have one that would do wonderful making the elderly happy...

[winstonw]

I am so sorry that your mother is not doing well. I'm sure having Coby there was an enjoyment for so many of the patients there. He sounded like quite the therapy dog! You must be very proud of him! My grandfather's nursing home had a dog that lived with them and would go around visiting the rooms. It was amazing to see how it brightened their day!!! Good job Coby!

[daisy mae06]

yes Bre and I will Take all 3 to visit Dan. A client of mine who is in assisted Living and cant get out.
Every one Giggles and oooo's and awwww's when we waltz in with the Pet stroller

[Little Bit]

How nice that Coby was so good for your mom. I'll bet he really brightened her day and a lot of other folks, too! That's a special little guy you've got there.

[ladyj]

My Bichon, Cosmo, is a therapy dog and it's very rewarding work. We visit the Children's Library twice a week and we have visited a grade school, an eldercare group, and a retirement home, too. The certification wasn't any problem. All he had to do was walk on a leash quietly, not bark or jump on people, and like attention. The lady who certified him took him and spent an hour with him and said he was wonderful and could visit anyone anywhere. If you have a dog you think would enjoy doing therapy work and you are willing to do it, I would recommend getting the certification and going for it. It's great to see the smiles no matter what age group you are visiting.

[SladesMommy]

How sweet that Coby got to visit your mom and brighten up her day as well as the other residents' days.

I would eventually like to get both Laney and Slade into therapy work. When we move back to SC there is a great therapy dog group their that visits hospitals, the childrens home, nursing home, and a few other places. Laney is soooo good when in those types of situation. When she is at home, she's like a rabbit on crack, but when we've had a baby or young child in the house she knows to be very gentle and will sit still and let her pet them. ONe day when we were out on a walk, a girl in a motorized wheelchair came up to us. Laney would greet a person normally by running up to them hyper, but she very calmly creeped up to the girl and sat still while the girl loved on her. The girl was so happy she had tears in her eyes, she said most dogs are usually frightened by the wheel chair.

At this point Slade is way too hyper too even attempt to get his therapy dog certificate.

[For My Coby]

All your stories are so sweet! I loved hearing them!!! And a horse? How fun would that be for the residents? And a dog that lived at the center? How awesome!! And how wonderful for the girl in the wheelchair to meet Laney! And can just imagine the residents going crazy to see Daisy Mae06 and her stroller coming in!

So is a therapy certification more of a personality/disposition test? Or is there obediance testing along with it besides the walking on a leash and not jumping on people? My mom won't live forever, but my hubby and I were talking about what a great tribute to her it might be if one day when we had the time (or took the time, shame on me) to visit other people in the nursing homes.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by For My Coby

All your stories are so sweet! I loved hearing them!!! And a horse? How fun would that be for the residents? And a dog that lived at the center? How awesome!! And how wonderful for the girl in the wheelchair to meet Laney! And can just imagine the residents going crazy to see Daisy Mae06 and her stroller coming in!

So is a therapy certification more of a personality/disposition test? Or is there obediance testing along with it besides the walking on a leash and not jumping on people? My mom won't live forever, but my hubby and I were talking about what a great tribute to her it might be if one day when we had the time (or took the time, shame on me) to visit other people in the nursing homes.

not to play the devil's advocate.. but why does he NEED to be certified? you are brining him there to see your mom who is benefitting and whoever else wnats to see him... does he need the certification to get in to see theM?

[For My Coby]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

not to play the devil's advocate.. but why does he NEED to be certified? you are brining him there to see your mom who is benefitting and whoever else wnats to see him... does he need the certification to get in to see theM?

Oh no, you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!! And having a certificate hanging "behind his desk" wouldn't have made his visit any better at all.

I was more just curious as to what was involved with that certification. I thought it was very involved. But it sounds more like a temperment test. The nursing home welcomes ALL pets, but I did wonder if it gains the dogs "entry" into places uncertified dogs might not be allowed. (My poor blind dad snuck my mom's dog into the hospital when she was there a couple weeks ago and got a harsh chewing out by a real mean nurse and was told to never return with a dog. I do understand, but she was really mean to my dad. )

But you are right - a piece of paper could not have made his mom and dad any more proud , nor my mom any happier , nor the other residents any more excitied .

[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by For My Coby

So I wondered, have any of you taken your babies to the hospital or nursing home to "minister" to those that need some puppy-love? I've heard some of you say you were interested in getting acredited/designated/etc as therapy dogs. I always thought it was cool, but tonight I saw how special therapy dogs would be for people.

Diane, we're still workin' on it! Abigail completed her 7weeks basic obedience course, and this month will complete therapy training, to be completed by the [URL="[quote=For My Coby;1850119]So I wondered, have any of you taken your babies to the hospital or nursing home to "minister" to those that need some puppy-love? I've heard some of you say you were interested in getting acredited/designated/etc as therapy dogs. I always thought it was cool, but tonight I saw how special therapy dogs would be for people.[/quote]Diane, we're still workin' on it! Abigail completed her 7weeks basic obedience course, and this month will complete therapy training."[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Canine Good Citizenship Test[/COLOR]. I guess you could just take Coby for visits, if the nursing staff approves; but, some places are getting more strict with what animals are allowed in different environments. For instance: I just wanted to use Abigail in our local Paws for Reading program at a public library; but was told she had to complete the above courses. Sooooo....we are. I may or may not find that she is suitable for nursing homes or hospitals, but I want the option.

AlaskaYorkie has take Eddie through the GCC, I do believe. Hey Mike - what ya doin' with that certificate? Inquiring minds want to know...

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by For My Coby

Oh no, you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!! And having a certificate hanging "behind his desk" wouldn't have made his visit any better at all.

I was more just curious as to what was involved with that certification. I thought it was very involved. But it sounds more like a temperment test. The nursing home welcomes ALL pets, but I did wonder if it gains the dogs "entry" into places uncertified dogs might not be allowed. (My poor blind dad snuck my mom's dog into the hospital when she was there a couple weeks ago and got a harsh chewing out by a real mean nurse and was told to never return with a dog. I do understand, but she was really mean to my dad. )

But you are right - a piece of paper could not have made his mom and dad any more proud , nor my mom any happier , nor the other residents any more excitied .

i wonder if they are certified if they can go in a hospital??? God bless your dad for doing what he felt would make your mom more at ease
you must have been BEAMING with pride. isn't it crazy how they just KNOW they need to be gentle? Layla met a baby late last year and he was pulling on her so hard.. and she just took it all... and normally (rightfully so) it pisses her off... they just know good job Coby!!

[For My Coby]

Originally Posted by abbie's mom

Diane, we're still workin' on it! Abigail completed her 7weeks basic obedience course, and this month will complete therapy training, to be completed by the http://www.ehow.com/how_2128493_canine-good-citizen-certification-akc.html"]Canine Good Citizenship Test. I guess you could just take Coby for visits, if the nursing staff approves; but, some places are getting more strict with what animals are allowed in different environments. For instance: I just wanted to use Abigail in our local Paws for Reading program at a public library; but was told she had to complete the above courses. Sooooo....we are. I may or may not find that she is suitable for nursing homes or hospitals, but I want the option.

AlaskaYorkie has take Eddie through the GCC, I do believe. Hey Mike - what ya doin' with that certificate? Inquiring minds want to know...

Thanks for the link!! Looks like we've got a bit of work to do. Coby's such a good boy, but absolute "control" is something his mama is lacking! The nursing home is great, but that's why I asked - because I wondered if other places would allow dogs who had some sort of certification.