SERVICE DOGS
Service dogs have gotten lots of attention since 9/11 when they carried on
bravely in the face of great danger. All of us, people and dogs alike,
are
proud of them and their service to mankind. To become a service dog, a
dog
must have the right temperament which means he likes meeting new people and
likes to be with them. Also he must be learn how to carry out
particular
activities that will help his owner.
THERAPY DOGS
Another way dogs can help humans is to be therapy dogs who visit in
healthcare facilities. Both Winnie and I are therapy dogs licensed by
Therapy Dogs International (TDI). Each time we make a therapy round at
the
Hermitage, a continuing care facility in our hometown, it surprises us how
happy people are to see us. So much so that we've decided to start
promoting the whole idea of therapy dogging:
- 1) Winnie and I have
started
talking it up with our friends to encourage them to become therapy dogs
- 2) I am introducing a therapy dog section here on my
website
- 3) I'm writing a book that explains how you
become a therapy dog and what you do as a therapy dog
SYMPOSIUM
Our PowerPoint presentation
about
therapy dogs was a huge success! The Greater Hampton Roads Disability Symposium
was held at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth. Many people came and were
very interested, asking good questions. Mr. Bill Pine,
Administrator
for Health Services at Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay in Virginia
Beach invited us to help him explain "Animal Therapy" in one of
the afternoon workshop sessions. What a day. When we were finished for the
day we collapsed.
HOOPS YOU MUST JUMP THROUGH TO BE A THERAPY DOG
If you love meeting new people and being with them, you would probably make
a good therapy dog. To do so, you have to first take the Canine Good
Citizen course sponsored by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Upon
passing
the CGD test, you must pass the test for the therapy organization to which
you apply for membership. The test is administered by an instructor
certified by the therapy organization.
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