therapy dog how would one go about having their dog be a therapy dog? I have really bad anxiety, along with bi polar disorder. My dogs are my therapy, and I have noticed that since i got Karma (only about a week now) my anxiety level has dropped down to a 3 or 4 now. I'd like to be able to take her everywhere with me as going to places like wal mart freak me out. How woudl I go about starting all of this? I saw it years ago on dog whispherer that a woman had made her dog into her therapy dog with her anxiety. but it never really said (or i wasn't paying that close of attention to it) how she got started. Karma is 2 and is spayed and potty trained and so far has done GREAT in travel situations. I know petco isn't the test here, but she did GREAT sitting in the cart and walking with me. oops meant service not therapy |
therapy yorkie find a licenced dog training center near you...(not like petsmart, a big one) they will know what your dog needs to do to be a licenced therapy dog.... Speak to your doctor...see if the doctor will give you a prescription to have a therapy dog and that it is necessary to your well being.... that's a good start for you....will check into it more for you if you need it.. roxanne in nc |
A therapy dog and a service dog are 2 different things. A therapy dog is trained to go and visit hospitals , nursing homes , and is certified to do so. A service dog is trained to perform special tasks for the disabled individal . the animal can be any size ... Sometimes other species of animals have been used for a service animal. The aniaml can be trained by a professional , or can be trained by it's owner. A DR. writes a letter stating that a service animal would be helpful to the diasbled person. I have only seen serious cases of disabled individuals who have a service dog. However, their are all kinds of disabilities out there. Dogs are amazing service dogs. I have 2 of them .... :) it is a good idea to have the basic training down with your dog. That would be the first step . |
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Watch out for those websites that state you pay a fee and you are all set, not gonna happen! Your wasting your money. There are a few reputable places that train service dogs and will let you know what you need to do to get the certificate. Find one of these, they will not give you the vest, id, or anything else like that till they determine you need a service dog and then your dog has to be trained. |
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Try SARA (Service Animal Registry of America). Thats where I'm getting mine for Jasper. Its not that expensive either. I think its $40. Hope that helps! And if you go with them, let me know about your experience. Good luck! |
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did you do the training yourself? what kind of dog are you using? mind if i ask what tasks you taught? if you feel more comfortable with talking about this privately you can pm me |
I think you mean service dog. I too have severe anxiety and Callie helps. There are places you can find online that say you can register your dog there and stuff but legally you dont have (at least in my state you dont) to have that its just an option and if someone questions you, you can show it to them and it seems more professional and normaly then questions are not asked. Or you can carry a doctors note with you. I got a Card that says Callie is a service dog and is laminated and has her picture and some other information on it and I also had my doctor sign a letter and I am having a custom bag made that she will fit into and it says service dog and will have a clear pocket for my card so everyone can see it. The bag will Keep Callie up near me so I can pet her when I'm getting anxious. They are called psychiatric service dogs. |
Did you get an Rx from your doc for her? I know the Sara site says you need an rx. I know my anxiety gets really bad once I leave a ten mile radius of my house and when I get in big stores. I've ended up in the er a few times only minutes after entering walmart. Makes me sick just talking about it. Karma seems to really help with that. My border collie already knows how to retrieve my purse for me when I need my meds |
You're welcome! So far I've trained Jasper simple commands like sit, stay, leave it, etc. Hes for my anxiety also cause I have it really bad and I have anxiety attacks in public sometimes. You don't have to have a doctors note actually. The FAQs say that you can have it or have someone witness and sign the form with you. I'm going to do that when I have the money to register him and after hes neutered cause we're doing that in a couple weeks and hes been spraying. So I don't want him to be bad in public cause thats one of the criteria is they have to be well behaved in public places. |
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