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Loving Furgie 02-09-2012 09:57 PM
Therapy dog
 
I have decided to sign Furgie up for the local humane society pet VIP program! It starts in April, is a 6 week course and will certify Furgie as a therapy dog for 2 years! I work as a RN so I plan on keeping an eye out for patients that might really benefit from a visit from my little love! Does anyone have any experience with this?

Glorious Day 02-09-2012 10:12 PM
Yes! It is so rewarding! A confidence builder for sure! certification traing then. When we are done she will visit Boston childrens hospital, a burn unit in Boston and also paricipate in a reading program at our local library where books are read and Ruffles can snuggle with the children. Good luck. My 2 previous champions who are now at the rainbow bridge were therapy dogs as well.

Tessa327 02-10-2012 10:14 AM
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Btw, how much does it cost to get certified? Curious.

Loving Furgie 02-10-2012 12:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glorious Day (Post 3821569)
Yes! It is so rewarding! A confidence builder for sure! certification traing then. When we are done she will visit Boston childrens hospital, a burn unit in Boston and also paricipate in a reading program at our local library where books are read and Ruffles can snuggle with the children. Good luck. My 2 previous champions who are now at the rainbow bridge were therapy dogs as well.
How sweet! I look forward to it! Thank you :)

Loving Furgie 02-10-2012 12:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tessa327 (Post 3821951)
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Btw, how much does it cost to get certified? Curious.
The cost of the program is $100. It will certify her for 2 years and they also said cover her with insurance if lord forbid anything happened to her while we were volunteering for the next 2 years.

alaskayorkie 02-10-2012 01:01 PM
Is that through the Delta Society or another organization?

Eddie and Jillie are both certified through the Delta Society and make regular visits to our local hospital and assisted living home. Eddie's coming up on his second renewal, so he's been doing it for almost 4 years! Jillie is in her first year since passing her test.

I can honestly say it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done. No matter how tired I am from work or anything else in my life, I look forward to our visits.

I started out just because I felt Eddie had something to offer. I'd never been much of a volunteer, but I could see the way people lit up when Eddie was around. I felt like I was being selfish not sharing the love, so we took a class similar to yours and have been visiting ever since.

Best of luck in the class! Let me know if it's the Delta Society, because I can give you some insight on the testing.

Lovetodream88 02-10-2012 01:42 PM
I think that's awesome. Dogs can really make a difference and cheer people up and just sitting with one on your lap and petting them is so calming and can make you forget about everything for awhile.

Loving Furgie 02-10-2012 05:52 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by alaskayorkie (Post 3822076)
Is that through the Delta Society or another organization?

Eddie and Jillie are both certified through the Delta Society and make regular visits to our local hospital and assisted living home. Eddie's coming up on his second renewal, so he's been doing it for almost 4 years! Jillie is in her first year since passing her test.

I can honestly say it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done. No matter how tired I am from work or anything else in my life, I look forward to our visits.

I started out just because I felt Eddie had something to offer. I'd never been much of a volunteer, but I could see the way people lit up when Eddie was around. I felt like I was being selfish not sharing the love, so we took a class similar to yours and have been visiting ever since.

Best of luck in the class! Let me know if it's the Delta Society, because I can give you some insight on the testing.
It is not with the Delta Society, it is through the humane society of southern arizona. There is a group called handi dogs and they offer the program through the Delta Society. I think the human society is just cheaper, I honestly don't know what the differences are with the programs. I met a lady at the dog park who was going through the Delta Society program....she said there were different qualifications for the small dogs. Furgie has been through the puppy obedience class at petsmart and knows her basic commands....but she won't always do it if I don't have a treat in my hand! :) What was the testing like through the Delta Society?

Loving Furgie 02-10-2012 05:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 3822125)
I think that's awesome. Dogs can really make a difference and cheer people up and just sitting with one on your lap and petting them is so calming and can make you forget about everything for awhile.
Thanks! Lord knows she is so theraputic for me! :)

alaskayorkie 02-10-2012 10:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loving Furgie (Post 3822394)
It is not with the Delta Society, it is through the humane society of southern arizona. There is a group called handi dogs and they offer the program through the Delta Society. I think the human society is just cheaper, I honestly don't know what the differences are with the programs. I met a lady at the dog park who was going through the Delta Society program....she said there were different qualifications for the small dogs. Furgie has been through the puppy obedience class at petsmart and knows her basic commands....but she won't always do it if I don't have a treat in my hand! :) What was the testing like through the Delta Society?
Delta testing can be pretty tough, depending on who your tester is. You can elect to carry small dogs through parts of it, which I found helpful. Small dogs don't have to meet a neutral dog while on the ground. Beyond that, they have you place the dog in people's laps while you stay right there with them. They also do a bunch of distraction drills -- loud noise, people arguing, a walker crossing the room. They also put them on the ground for loose-leash walking and a leave-it drill. I've passed twice with Eddie and once with Jillie, and I failed once with Jillie -- for excessive licking :p.

Good luck! You'll do great. Just relax during the test.

BabyFidgette 02-10-2012 10:19 PM
I wish I could have Baby do that. I think she has to much energy. She'd lick everyone to death.

VelvetRose 02-10-2012 11:48 PM
That is amazing. For all of you who part take in this with your fur babies. I just spent a month in the hospital with my 2 year old and they brought a dog around every week, and boy did they bring a smile to my lil dude's face. BRAVO!


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