therapy dog
 

Thinking of putting zooey in puppy star program, and later cgc. Also possibly signing her to international dog therapy organization. I would like to visit convelescent homes with zooey and put a smile on an elderly face. If I could make one or more elderly person happy, I'd like to share zooey to be part of their life!

Homes

thats sounds like a wonderful thing! i say go 4 it!

What a great idea!

I am also working toward that goal with Kipper, but he needs to be over a year old before he can be tested and certified. In the meantime, I have been trying to take him everywhere I go, introducing him to various sites and sounds and allowing him to greet everyone, large, small or inbetween. For the first time, I was confronted in the Fred Meyer (in the pet supplies aisle) where I have always taken him, and told that if she saw my puppy (in his carrying bag that looks like a larger purse) she would have to ask me to leave. I was totally shocked and told her that I had been bringing him for at least three months without ever being told that he was not welcome. This makes me wonder if there is some way to honestly get a type of training letter or other item that would allow me to continue to bring him into the stores and other places that I feel he needs to be acquainted with before he is tested for his actual certification. I know that service dogs can get one, but is a therapy dog considered a service dog? These are issues I plan to pursue from the therapy dog certification people. I will let you know what I can find out, if I can get a response. Meanwhile, if any of you know about this process and can head me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.

Well, I just finished speaking with a representative at the USAR that registers service and therapy animals. They told me that there is no age requirement for therapy animals, so I guess that changes my opinion based on what the Therapy Dog International site said. USAR has various registrations you can buy, from $50-$240, depending on the bells and whistles you want. It seems to be a yearly expense and comes with an ID card for the dog, along with its picture. I am not sure this would be a particular benefit, though. The man told me that therapy dogs are not allowed in stores or restaurants, whereas service animals are. That means that I can probably take Kipper into the convalescent home to visit, but must discontinue taking him into my favorite store when I shop for his food and toys, unless it is a pet store only. Each one of us may have to look into the specific laws of our State, as they might vary on what is acceptable or not. I wish everyone the best of success in getting therapy dog certification/acceptance. I think I might try to call the convalescent home we visit and see if they will let me bring in Kipper for loves from the residents. He is such an affectionate and personable little fellow, I would like to share him with those who cannot have pets where they are.

I would still certify for therapy dog. Akc website has programs to offer. I'm going to star with puppy star, then at a year, cgc, then Heine organization. You had good info though. I still sneak my puppy everywhere I can go with her. She's so good and quiet no one knows. Having a puppy stroller works too for those all day things. Good luck to you and your pup!

Thank you for your kind wishes. I am SO EXCITED! I just signed Kipper and me up for a four hour introduction class for therapy dogs. At the end of the course, they will test him and if he can pass, he will be a certified puppy therapy dog. It is through an organization called Project Canine, endorsed by the AKC as qualified therapy dog trainers/certification. They just happened to have a class this Saturday, so I hope it isn't too late to get into it. I paid and registered, so hopefully it will all work out. I will take my phone and can take pictures, if we get to attend! I wish you well in your pursuit, as well. I think these beautiful, loving little dogs are perfect for the job!

I hope you do become a therapy team. Several dogs came into my school and the kids just lit up. They (the dogs) were awesome to watch, being so calm and gentle, and well behaved. Some of the kids were scared when they arrived, but by the end, all the kids loved them. I can't wait to see how you do!

Our class has been delayed until September 15, but the instructor spoke to me and said that she loves Yorkies being involved, as they can be so social and sweet. In the meantime, I am trying to be consistent with the "no bite!" and "no bark!" commands and humane discouragement techniques that I have learned from all the amazing Yorkie owners on this site. Kipper is responding well. I will definitely post our pictures or progress, once we begin. Thank you for your encouragement.

That's sounds wonderful,Dog must need this kind of therapy to relieve stress like human. You could make you happy especially with your dog.

Jaeger and I have been working on things too-My trainer said to start training as early as possible, but didnt recommend CGC testing until he was a year old, because otherwise CGC suggests testing twice-puppies can have such different temperaments when they grow up. If and when he passes that, we'll start working with Therapy Dogs International to see if he's accepted. (Its one trainer only visit to a nursing home, then 3 more with dog and trainer to see if the dog behaves.)

We start training one on one with our private trainer in September. If there were acceptable CGC classes here, I'd do that, but was less than impressed. In the mean time, we take Jaeger everywhere if it's an outside venue (in the south, they have a lot more "outside" stuff than I am used to as a Michigander, which is good for Jaeger.) He loves people, but I am STILL trying to get him to sit quietly instead of hopping up on people-I honestly think it's because he's so short and wants to "see" what is going on, but its still not okay.

For more information concerning your plight, check out these sites for Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs. www.FreeMyPaws.com; www.AnimalsofAmerica.com; www.ldsleather.com/patches. These sites offer every thing you need for registering your pet as a Service Dog.

Sincerely, devo1250.

Therapy Dogs - Registering Pets
 

Taking a course is find, but you really don't have to unless you just want to. Here in Washington, DC you can state that your dog is a Service Dog/Therapy Dog/Emotional Support Pet if you genuinely are disabled (physically, mentally or emotionally). As long as you have a qualified, certified therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or medical doctor state that you have a disability and recommend that a pet (dog) will aid in your recovery then there is no problem in stating that you have a "Service Dog/Therapy Dog/Emotional Support Animal). Check out the following sites for registering your pet as a Service Animal/Therapy Dog; Service Animal Registry of America at www.affluent.net/sara or www.AnimalsofAmerica.comfor more info. on registering your pet as a Service Animal; Therapy Animal or Emotional Support Animal.

Sincerely, devo1250:animal-pa

Service Dogs/Therapy Dogs/Emotional Support Animals
 

BlessedBee, check out the "Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973"; under these acts persons with disabilities whether they be physical, mental or emotional. If you meet the definition of disability under these acts then you are allowed to have a Service Dog, Therapy Dog or Emotional Support Animal and you can not be discriminated by anyone, that means that your pet can go anywhere you care to take him or her (stores including grocery stores; restaurants; work and any other place that you care to take your animal. To answer your question "is a therapy dog considered a service dog?" the answer is yes. The presence of this animal is necessary for the mental or physical health of you and it helps you greatly in coping with the challenges you're face with everyday by providing the needed companionship, emotional support and a reason for living. I hope this helps you BlessedBee. Sincerely, devo1250.:animal-pa

Ok, so a small update. Jaeger starts training next week, a 3 week 1:1 class with him, the trainer, and us. 3 classes, at whatever interval we feel comfortable (doesnt have to be 3 weeks in a row) and the test at the end. I imagine he WONT pass the test for another few months, but the trainer will let him take the test over "for free" if he fails it, so we could try again in a few months.