Oh YES ! You aren't being dramatic at all - that's why I could NEVER be an animal inspector - I'd want them ALL in jail and only after I smack someone around maybe (just kidding :mad: but some things I read DO make me physically sick)...I don't think I could handle it.

ALL our animal laws need to be adjusted and tougher. MUCH tougher.

I think it is wonderful to have a pet that is qualified and trained to be a therapy dog --- and one that you can take places that therapy dogs are invited to visit and make the world a happier and brighter place for many people.

But - before you all get excited about this - there are many things to consider. All dogs (even the cute little things that we love) are not good candidates to be therapy dogs. Are you ready and do you have time to do a lot of "volunteer work?" (This is the whole purpose of having a therapy dog.) Are you ready for training - and certification for yourself and your dog? And, there are expenses involved and carrying insurance for these little guys is a must.

There is a great deal on the Internet about certification for therapy dogs - worth reading and checking into if you are really interested.

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I do want to share at least this much with you.................

Temperament is the most important factor. (Remember the old real estate cliche, "location, location, location"? Well, in therapy work it's "temperament, temperament, temperament"--because nothing else will take its place.

A dog who is friendly--who really likes people in general--is already a promising candidate. The dog who is friendly and well behaved--no jumping, running around, licking people without permission--is on the way to certification. The dog who is trained to work around people who are bedridden or in wheelchairs, who is always under the handler's precise control, who can perhaps perform a few entertaining tricks--is halfway there. The dog who can take accidental mishaps in stride (such as when a disturbed client yells or brandishes a cane), who can deal alike with the endlessly repetitive interactions of Alzheimers patients, with the grabbing and gurgling of infants, and with the unpredicatability of psychiatric inpatients--and give every indication of enjoying its work--is indeed a Therapy Dog.

Note that very little has been said about training, as such. Yes, training matters--but unless the dog is friendly to start with, the training may well be wasted for this particular purpose. I have personally known a number of highly-trained dogs, some with truly impressive obedience titles, who would be barely adequate (if that) as Therapy Dogs.

Of our own dogs, the better-trained one, who will retrieve various objects by name, perform lengthy out-of-sight sits and stays, etc., etc., is not a Therapy-Dog prospect for several reasons, the most important of which is that he likes most strangers but not by any means all. He also has very normal reactions to disturbances and perceiving threats involving either himself or us.

Our less-trained dog, on the other hand, is a natural. She not only loves everyone, but she is virtually "people-proof." If a cyclist ran over her tail after a parade, she would not (as her better-trained colleague did) bark at the person; she would look to me for a signal. You get the idea.

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My sister's Bichon is a therapy dog. They go out at least once a week(sometimes more) to visit handicapped and sick people who enjoy their visit. They make regular visits to several nursing homes and visit the children and geriatric wards regularly at many different nursing homes and hospitals. They visit schools several times a year to educate young people about therapy dogs and what they are and how they can brighten the day for many people. My sister doesn't work - and does a great deal of volunteer work with her little dog -- and, of course they both enjoy doing it very much.

My sister never takes her dog to places that they aren't invited to visit or where dogs aren't allowed. She is not handicapped and her dog is not a service dog that needs to be with her at all times. She would be appalled at people taking advantage of what she and her dog do to brightened the lives of many unfortunate people in the world --- so that they can take their dogs where they shouldn't be.

On the other hand -- if some of you really have a little dog that would be a good candidate to be a therapy dog - and you and your dog are willing to be trained - and certified - and you are able and willing do the volunteer work that is the purpose of being certified --- I really have a lot of admiration for you. I think it is a wonderful thing for people and their dogs to do.

Carol Jean

Why is it that the general opinion is that unless a person has some type of handicap that they should not take a pet with them anyplace??? What is wrong with people who just love pets and care them to a degree that they would want to take them out doing just that. What about the little elderly lady who lives alone and her pet is her only companion? I have been places that I would not even to think to take one of my yorkies due to making someone uncomfortable (restaurant, etc.) and see "service" dogs come in, shake, watch the hair fly all over, drool on the floor, all in the name of "service" dogs allowed. The same thing in grocery stores, and the individual will even have someone to help them, you need the "service" dog and your mom/friend to go to pick up groceries? I do not have a problem with training animals to help people live in a manner that allows them to care for themselves, but don't get ticked just because others want to share the world with their beloved pet also............

How refreshing ...an HONEST person who isn't hung up on political correctness ... ;) :thumbup: :bravo:

LOL ....I know I'm not 'ticked' ....but I do think we have to think of others when we take yorkies out. Just because they're small ...it shouldn't give give us exception to rules and laws. Its not being PC to think of others. It's just common courtesy. I love animals and would never mind eating in a restaurant with them - but we are the exception. I bet most people if surveyed, would not want to be sharing meals with dogs in restaurants. I mean this in a general way only.

there are plenty of places we CAN take our dogs - and I'm all for taking mine everywhere if I could - but I can't ...so I don't.

Elengtorchid -- You're missing the whole point. Service dogs are animals that help handicapped people live a more normal and more productive life. They are "eyes," "ears," and many other things for a lot of people.

I think those of us who suffer "separation anxiety" when we can't take our pets to public places where they aren't allowed is an entirely different thing.

Most people have a great deal of respect for service dogs - and, few of us would begrudge them being anyplace with the people they protect and care for ---even if they do lose a hair or two or drool occasionally.

I take my Yorkie with me a lot and leave him home a lot. He is perfectly happy either way -- because that's the way life has been for him since he was a pup. And - I can actually go shopping or out to dinner with my family and friends and have a great time without him. ---- But, of course, I'm always delighted to see him again every time I get back home.

***** By the way, Red98Vett ----- "sweetheartedness" is a wonderful word - and I think it does apply to a lot of our little dogs.

Carol Jean

yes they can. Some therapy dogs.

please explain what you mean. what kind of therapy dogs can go into restaurants and grocery stores?

Service Dogs
 

To get your dog ceritified as a therapy dog it takes a lot of training. then you have to have them pass the testing that certifies them. HARD WORK! But like I said I finally got mine certified. I can take them in to Cafes, Restraruants. anywhere. They are certified Therapy dogs. Lexi is also certified Hearing alert dog. Never knew she had it in her. We Just finished are first day working at are local mental health facility with women of domestic violence;

That's so cool - congratulations to your yorkies...you must be pretty proud of them. The women in the shelter must have loved seeing them....

Once your dog is certified and has it's service vest and ID card; your free to go. My Lexi is also trained hearing alert dog.

It breaks my heart to see what the men in there lives have done to them I know first hand about. And your right, I am so PROUD of these little yorkies of mine. I have my card that says These are service dogs and it's Against the LAW to ask me to REMOVE THEM. Besides, they have their own card also with their service # and photo ID. Gotta go now Bye, Woof Woof

On a personal level, I enjoyed this thread and learned quite a bit. It’s always nice to read in-depth discussions on topics that I need more education on. As a first time dog owner I’m like a sponge, the more I learn the better for my pups and myself.

Very informative, thank you

I've said this before, but I'll say it again... :p Baby is not a certified therapy dog, service dog, or emotional support dog. But, she is my emotional support. After my wedding breakup, I suffered BIGTIME for a few months. When I got Baby, she made my life so much better! How great it was to be happy again. Now, I love her to death, but I can go places without her...meaning I don't have anxiety attacks w/o her. Therefore, I will not get her certified. :D I'll admit, I used to sneak her into places when I first got her...when I was still suffering. I haven't taken her into a store in a while, other than Petsmart. Her work (healing me) is done for now. And how great that I get to keep her around! :thumbup: :animal36

I don’t see anything wrong with people who want to take their pup everywhere with them. What I have a problem with is how some people think that is their right to take their pup with them. I feel that certifying you pup as a service dog unnecessarily is wrong. In doing so you are potentially making it harder for those who really “need” to take their pup with them to do so. If I needed a service dog for some reason and it suddenly became harder or stricter for me to have one because of some people having their dog certified just so they could take their dog with them I would be very upset. Personally I will be upset if it happens now and I don’t have need a service dog. As far as some service dogs not being clean enough or what not well hey if them having that service dog has allowed them to go to a college class(I had someone in one of my classes who had a lab)or go to the grocery store then I think I can suck it up a bit. I think maybe some of us take for granted the fact that we don’t need service dogs…..