Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows full well how beneficial they are to people. They have so much love to give, and some dog owners want to share that love with others who may need it.
They are therapy dogs -- dogs that have been trained and tested and that have shown they can be good, calm dogs eager to show affection to a child or patient in need of a friend.
Therapy Dog International is a program that provides a structure for animal owners who want to use their pets to help others. Once trained and tested, they go to work. It seems like easy work, but it can be exhausting. A new dog can only work for about a half hour at at time, although experienced dogs may be able to work for a couple of hours.
Today J.P. Yousha and Leanne Howell conducted final exams for three dogs testing to become therapy dogs. And it was a tough test. Two of the dogs had flunked once before and had to go back to school before they could try again. And this afternoon they all passed.
To demonstrate that they can function well as a canine therapist the dogs had to be under control of the owner at all times. That included being able to walk on a leash beside the owner, turn in both directions, and make a U-turn. The dog had to sit and lie down on command as well as stay with a stranger when the owner walks away.
The dogs were tested around wheel chairs and crutches to prove that they wouldn't be anxious around items common in nursing facilities but not necessarily found in every home. And to prove their tolerance, a pair of crutches was dropped near them on the hard floor. It was OK to be startled, but they had to recover quickly. They had to tolerate improper petting -- we've all seen how children will pat a dog's head a little too hard, and the dogs have to put up with it without complaining. Also, kids like to stick their fingers into every hole. (Yuck.)
Temperament is the most important quality of a therapy dog. J.P. says the "Bubba dogs" are the best. Those are the dogs that Bubba, two ranches down the road, could borrow to help herd livestock, and you wouldn't expect any problems.
Friendliness is a big one. Think of Wal-Mart greeters, friendly to everyone they meet.
Welcome three new therapy dogs to the dog therapy community. All passed with flying colors, and they are sure to be great therapy dogs: Ann Ward's Great Pyrenees*, Frosty; Michaela Turner's Golden Retriever, Murphy; and Catherine Clifton's Collie, Brinkley. They will bring a lot of happiness to their owners and the patients they visit.
Dogs without the right temperament can be trained to do the therapy work, but there is a greater likelihood of problems. See a complete list of the test requirements on the Therapy Dog Test PDF. It's not for everyone. But the right dog with the right owner can perform miracles.
*Paw note: The Great Pyrenees is one of only two breeds with double dew claws.
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