I have been taking/visiting/using my 3 Yorkies to a Local Senior/Retirement Home since September. They are 7,6, and 4 yrs. old so they are very calm and mature. I am in Myrtle Beach, SC and they do NOT require any kind of Certification or proof of Training........I did have to show proof of "Rabies" vaccinations and I had to take a TB. Test that was provided by them, since I am in contact with the Public. I took a Tour of the Facilities w/them and did a verbal Interview w/the Recreation Director. I never got an oppurtunity to Train them ahead of time, so I had to wing it.........Luckily they have the right Temperment/Patience and were very Socialized and already Trained as far as Basic Commands and House Trained! We did pass her Test with Flying Colors, I am very proud to use all 3 at once together as a Team. They always get along and show nothing but Love for each other, it probablly helps that they are related; Father, Mother and their Daughter.
They have to be Quiet, they cannot Bark or Jump up on the Person.
Otherwise they might get their feelings hurt or offended.
You have to always ask their permission......not everyone is a Dog Lover.
Sometimes the Patients just are'nt in the mood to have Visitors.
Make sure you take them for a Walk and they have gone Potty before their Visit.......there is nothing more embarassing then an Accident!
Plus the smell of "URINE" is all over the place. On the Floors, all over the Carpets, Bed pans are on the Floor too. Otherwise they will be "Marking"!
You must also Train them NOT to eat anything off the Floors, they drop Food
everywhere in their Rooms......the common areas; Lobbies, Nursing Stations
and Recreation Area's are very Clean.
You must also Train them NOT to eat any Human Food from the Patients, even if it is offered to them, Yes....you have to have that much CONTROL over them! Not to mention I had to learn the Rules too!
I never make them Volunteer longer than an Hour at a time, anything longer than that starts to drain their Energy, their max is an Hour and 30 min. otherwise they start getting tired and grumpy! Usually 3 times a week.
You have to Train them to be calm around moving Wheelchairs, Hospital Equiptment, oxygen tanks, walkers, canes, even cleaning equiptment, brooms,
mops, vacuum cleaners, Janitor's making noises? Patient's screaming or crying or throwing Tantrums? They cannot jump or bark every time they hear or see something, they have to Trust you enough so they can actually DO the Therapy work, does that make sense? The Staff, the Nurses and all the Patients Love them. If I had the time and money I would be there 24/7.
I encourage anyone with an Interest to at least try it, do the Research that applies to your State and pursue it. It is very rewarding for everyone involved. I procrastinated for years and wasted alot of time b/c I thought I could'nt do it without getting "Certified". Just do it you'll Love it too! I hope this Helps?
