Quote:
Originally Posted by boopster
(Post 3286695)
He is sweet! I'd like to know more about what he does as a service dog and how you prepared him for this. I would love to visit seniors with Tallulah -- I've seen first-hand what being able to just pet a dog does for seniors who can't care for themselves and it would be so rewarding to be able to do that.
| I agree, these guys can make a huge difference. Now making them a service dog and making them a therapy dog are two completly different process's. I am a more familiar with service dog but I can try and help. He has been trained since he was eight weeks with public access. The american with disabilities act requires a dog to be trained in at least two specific tasks for a disability to earn the title service dog. So he is also trained in his tasks. Each state has there own laws reguarding service dogs, and they all require different things to get there state service dog tag. This allows kaos to go anywhere in the US, public or private places. Now therapy dogs require less specific training. It is mostly the descretion of the hospital. I know at least they need to be up to date with shots, and some require the dog to have the akc good citizen certificate. The down side is they don't qualify for public access and can't accompany you anywhere but the hospital, nursing home...ect. I would reccomend the dog be exposed to all different setting before being brought to hospital, and be taught not to jump when excited. As a service dog he can visit hospitals, but I prefer to wait till he is a little older so he is more relaxed.
I hope that helped some. :-) | 