Wow, I didn't know it was so involved to become a therapy dog. I thought the dog just had to be calm and good natured and like people without clawing all over them. I think Kalina would make a great therapy dog, but now I'm not so sure she could pass all those tests.

Great job, Eddie! :)

I Would Be Interested In The Things That He Had To Pass If You Have The Paperwork Post It Here I Wonder How Well We Might Or Might Not Do!

Eddie You Rawk Little Man You Are Adorable And I Know You Are Gonna Touch Many Lives Im So Proud Of You As Is Your Owner And Everyone Else...

Congrats!

Well done Eddie
:thumbup: :congrats: :bravo: :cheer:



Sheilagh

Congrats!!! I am hoping to do the same thing with Soleil when she turns a year..but we have lots more practice yet!! She has to be a year old to start the program so I have a few more months to work with her...you must be so excited!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :aimeeyork :aimeeyork

How exciting!

This is something that I definitely want to try. We have a Ronald McDonald House nearby and I think it would be great to take Cooper for visits. I actually found an organization in my area: http://www.furryfriends.org/. They don't require you to take a Canine Good Citizenship test. Once Cooper gets a bit older and more trained I intend on signing him up.

Please keep us updated and let us know how your visits go!

Yeah, we took the CGC thinking it was a requirement. It's not.

:congrats: Way to go Eddie!

Way to go you guys!!!

You must be so proud of Eddie! :)

Thanks! Here are the categories they tested us on:

1. Accepting a friendly stranger
2. Accepting petting
3. Appearance and grooming.
4. Out for a walk (this is all about having a loose leash and changing directions)
5. Walking through a crowd.
6. Reaction to distractions (visual and audible).
7. Sit on cue or pass between strangers. (Since we did the little-dog test, all I had to do was carry him and walk between other people).
8. Stay in place. (A sit-stay for 30 seconds. Eddie tested as a small dog, so he sat on someone else's lap for 30 seconds without my involvment.
9. Come when called. (They put him on a long leash and had him stay, then come when called)
10. Reaction to neutral dog. (You walk past a person with another dog. Your dog can't go crazy).
11. Exhuberant and clumsy petting. (This simulates a person with palsy petting your dog).
12. Restraining hug. (Simulates someone else hugging your dog).
13. Staggering, gesturing individual.
14. Angry yelling. (As I was talking to a "patient," two others argued 10 feet from us. The two arguers then broke up and one approached us.)
15. Bumped from behind. (One person walked past me and bumped into me).
16. Crowded and petted by several people. (This was our worst exercise, and it was all my fault. Eddie got nervous when three people crowded him. The instructors wanted me to tell one or two people to back off. They wanted me to take care of my dog's needs first.)
17. Leave it. (A nonissue if you're carrying your dog.)
18. Offered a treat (this is up to the handler. You can just so "no, I don't want you to feed my dog." I opted to allow it, but I told them to feed them them with their hand flat and open. Eddie can be nippy, so I didn't want to take any chances.

great job Eddie!!!! wow, we are all so proud of you! First you go to Pet Idol and made it to the finals, then you pass the therapy dog test!!!! what a weekend!!!!!!
Mike, make sure you reward this genius accordingly, ok????

:good job:As well you should be! :good job:

Way to go Eddie....and what a great way to help others by bringing a smile to their faces.

My husbands uncle is in a nursing home and he takes Kassie with him when he visits. Their is an elderly lady there who goes nuts for her and always asks for pics . She has dementia and forgets that he brings her one every visit. My husband just loves her and has the best time with Kassie every time he visits.

Kassie is far from an ideal dog for that kind of situation but my husband keeps a VERY close eye on her. Eddie on the other hand appears to be very friendly so you shouldnt have any problems.

my Edie would flunk test #10 :(

Eddie, congratulations to you and your old man!!! You are going to be a huge hit at the hospitals.:thumbup:

A big congrats to Eddie and you for a job well done :D

How exciting!! Gooo Eddie Goooo!! Lots of luck to YOU!! You sound so well behaved, YOU will pass!! Goooo Eddieee!! :thumbup: :)