PET THERAPIST - New Yorkie Duties
 

As of September 2nd, I started being a Pet Therapist w/all 3 of my Yorkies.
For some reason the State does NOT require any kind of Certification, all I had to do was show their "Rabies Certificate" and an on-site Audition & Interview w/the Recreation/Activities Director to prove they were "Trained" to do it. If I had known it was that easy and simple I would have done it a long time ago! I can't tell you how much we all enjoy it, the Patient's and Staff never want us to leave. If I had the time they would want us there 7 Days a week! So besides my usual Yorkie Duties as their Groomer, Trainer,
Driver and Personal Attendent/Walker I am now a Pet Therepist too!
It's definetly an understatement to say they have changed my Life for the Better.:D

Do you mean a Therapy Dog?

Because to be a therapy dog, you must pass a total of 15 (I think) tests to become certified to go into nursing homes and hospitals, etc. It's definitely not easy... so I don't know what you have but it can't be a therapy dog certification.

3 Therapy Yorkies!
 

I NEVER said I was a "CERTIFIED", but I am doing it with all 3 of my Yorkies at the same time, most of the time it is only one Dog at a time.
My point was that I am Volunteering my time, energy and Yorkies! I thought I could'nt DO it until I/We were Certified! I procrastinated and found every excuse, in fact the more Research I had done, it seemed impossible to me?
If I ever have the oppurtunity to take the Test and get all 3 Certified I will!
For now I'm Happy to know I CAN do it.......even w/o the Certificate. It's nice to know that they are capable and Love to do it. I'm Happy w/myself for Training them to do it and I'm always looking for more ways to expand their "Socializing" skills. Another point I was making was.......Can you imagine how much time I wasted b/c I thought I could'nt do it, unless they were
"Certified"? How many times do we make things more complicated than they really are? It's simple, Just Do it! I wanted to share my Yorkies w/others b/c
I had to face the truth, I'm not enough, they need more stimulation besides Me! If you all knew how "Easy" it was, maybe more of you would do it?
Spread more Yorkie Love! I think Yorkies are Incredible and there is'nt anything they cannot do? As long as you Train them!

Just starting to investigate volunteering with my Yorkie and am confused about the qualifications needed. Seems to be so much training involved, but reading this thread, I'm wondering if each state has it's own criteria. Anyone with more information, or direct me to where I can find it, would be greatly appreciated.

I would go to your local pets-mart or training facility they are well versed in the law and criteria on these things.
In my area all the dogs have to do is pass the CGC and they can go into nursing homes, but they need the special classes to go into hospitals.