SO YOU WANT TO BE A THERAPY DOG/OWNER?

by Ava Schutzman (This article from 2003 has been updated with 11/05 links and contacts)

Ever heard of a Therapy Dog? This does not refer to taking your pooch to your favorite psychiatrist – it represents a nice volunteer opportunity to serve the elderly in your area. It also represents a good opportunity to “market” CSRNE to prospective adopters and donors. And, it does not require a large commitment of time.

One of my dog-adoption requirements was the fact that I visit my father (who has severe Alzheimer's Disease and is in a Special Care facility), and my grandmother (who is 102 and in another nursing home) every week. I planned to bring the dog with me regularly to visit, so its personality must be appropriate.

At the time, I didn't realize there was any such thing as a Therapy Dog; I just figured that the residents would enjoy briefly playing with a well-behaved, adorable cocker spaniel.

After taking Taffy to a basic obedience course at Gemini Dog Training in Littleton MA, I was sure she'd be appreciated by the nursing home residents in my dad's and my grandmother's units. As it turned out, EVERYONE on staff of both facilities look forward to our visits! The nurses, administrators, and aides, the well residents in the assisted living areas, and the sicker residents in skilled nursing wards, all want to pet Taffy or give her a treat in exchange for an enthusiastic paw-shake!

A possible bonus: the aides and nurses I've met doing this are among the kindest of people; just the type we'd like as prospective adopters!

One surprise when I first took Taffy to Dad's nursing home was her reaction to the walkers. Many of them have old tennis balls on the end of the legs to help the walkers slide along more easily, and not stick on carpeting. She was frustrated that I wouldn't let her play with the tennis balls!

Most of the residents and patients will talk to you about their own dog-owning experiences, and very much enjoy reminiscing with you, as well as playing with the dog. Many of them had to give up their own dogs to enter the facility in which they now live.

Occasionally you do meet someone who is afraid of or allergic to dogs, so as owner you must respect these folks by giving them a wide berth; but these folks are definitely in the minority.

At my grandmother's facility, the chaplain held a pet-blessing event on St. Francis' Day (patron saint of animals). Twenty residents showed up, either with family and their dogs, or photos of their former dogs, and recited prayers of thankfulness for their wonderful experiences and reminisced together about their much loved pets.

I took the photo at the top of Taffy with my Mom and Gram enjoying the enclosed outdoor courtyard at Gram's nursing home.

So, how can you prepare yourself and your dog for this activity, and how do you go about finding places to go? Here are six suggestions:

1. Determine whether your dog has the right temperament and training for this activity.  If your dog is very bouncy or excitable, and not of a gentle nature, you may want to reconsider whether this is the right activity for him. Obviously, if your dog bites or even nips when approached for petting, or when accepting treats, this would also disqualify him from being a good therapy dog.

2. If you want to get formal training, check out the Canine Good Citizen or other Therapy Dog training in your area .

3. If you think your dog can pass the test without additional training, look for a certified evaluator in your area. (See CSRNE website article for further information.)

4. It may not be necessary to pursue formal certification of any type. If you regularly visit a nursing home with your dog, you will quickly see if your dog is welcome or not! I do not have any formal certification for Taffy as a Therapy Dog, nor does she require any to visit her “grandparents” with me.

5. Once you and your dog are ready to do visits, find suitable elderly care facilities such as assisted living, elderly housing, nursing homes, and hospitals that will welcome your visits. This might be as simple as calling a local nursing home in your neighborhood to inquire. If you have any elderly relatives, practicing first with them might be a good idea!

6. Decide how much time you want to dedicate to this activity, and at what frequency. Even one hour per week or two will be appreciated.

Good luck and have fun!

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

Here are several organizations that serve as matchmakers between facilities and volunteers, and some which provide training and/or certification. Some charge a nominal annual fee (around $30) for the match making service.

Therapy Dogs International

http://www.tdi-dog.org/

National non-profit organization devoted to providing comfort and companionship by sharing the dog with the patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions, in a way that increases emotional well being, promotes healing, and improves the quality of life for the people being visited and the staff that cares for these people.

TDI contact info: 88 Bartley Road, Flanders, New Jersey 07836;

Tel: (973) 252-9800 Fax: (973) 252-7171; e-mail: tdi@gti.net.

TDI requires CGC certification along with their own requirements specific to the elderly and health-care environments, shown at URL http://www.tdi-dog.org/

tditesting.html, are summarized here:

1. Reaction to Medical Equipment: the dog should be tested around medical equipment (such as a wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, or other devices which would ordinarily be found in a facility) to judge the dog’s reactions to common health care equipment.

2. Leave It: The handler with the dog on a loose leash walks past food on the ground (placed within a distance of three feet) and, upon command, the dog should ignore the food.

3. Acclimation to Infirmities: This test demonstrates the dog’s confidence when exposed to people walking with an uneven gait, shuffling, breathing heavily, coughing, wheezing or other distractions which may be encountered in a facility.

4. Saying Hello: The TDI Certified Evaluator will test the willingness of each dog to visit a person and that the dog can be accessible for petting (i.e., small dogs can be placed on a person’s lap or can be held, medium and larger dogs can sit on a chair or stand close to the patient to be easily reached).

TDI Testing Coming Up in New England:

CT: Testing information currently not available

MA: Testing information currently not available

ME: Tri-County Obedience Club
       Waterville, ME

For more information please contact TDI Evaluator: Don Hanson donh@greenacreskennel.com

To pre-register for this test, please contact: Dale (207) 397-4105

NH: Testing information currently not available

RI: Testing information currently not available

VT: Testing information currently not available

Caring Canines Visiting Therapy Dogs

http://www.caringcanines.org/

New England-oriented, especially Boston. Lots of good links to related pet therapy websites – especially good is this list/chat re: 

pet therapy. http://www.dog-play.com/dogtales.html

Dog B.O.N.E.S. - Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts http://www.therapydog.info/

Therapy Dogs of Vermont

Contact: 48 Evergreen Road, Fairfax, VT 05454

http://www.therapydogs.org/

American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test

The following description is taken from the American Kennel Club's website at URL http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm where you will find a host of additional information about the CGC Program.

Here is an extract from their description of the CGC Test:

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger

This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog ... The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.

Test 2: Sitting politely for petting

This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler ...

Test 3: Appearance and grooming

This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so...

Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)

This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction...

Test 5: Walking through a crowd

This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment ..

Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place

This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler. The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay… (the STAY in place is for at least one full minute).

Test 7: Coming when called

This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog.

Test 8: Reaction to another dog

This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs.

Test 9: Reaction to distraction

This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations.

Test 10: Supervised separation

This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness.

Equipment

All tests must be performed on leash.

Failures - Dismissals

Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed from the test.

How to CGC-Certify Your Dog

There appear to be at least two approaches:

1. Take an AKC-sponsored CGC Training Course, or a similar course from TDI or a professional obedience trainer in your area (some will offer the CGC test at the conclusion for an extra fee).

2. Contact an AKC CGC Evaluator directly, if you think your dog can pass the test without additional training. Since there are hundreds of certified individuals throughout New England, rather than list them here, please select your evaluator from the list on the CGC Program website page:

3. CGC Testing Schedule: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/ cgc_schedule.cfm

4. CGC Evaluators: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/ cgc_bystate.cfm

New England AKC Clubs with Training (from AKC website, 11/05)

CONNECTICUT

Enfield, CT: Springfield Kennel Club - Contact(s): Ruth Creswell, (888) 741 - 5151, Email:skcdog@aol.com

New Haven, CT: German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater New Haven - Contact(s): Linda Chernak, Email:GSDCGNH@aol.com

Newtown, CT: Newtown Kennel Club - Contact(s): Pam Pearl, (203) 426 - 4833

MAINE

Casco Bay Dog Training Club - Contact(s): Marcia Welch, (207 882 - 9118, Email:dogspeak@clinic.net

Presque Isle, ME: Central Aroostook Kennel Club - Contact(s): Name:  Mel Berube, Phone: (207) 764 - 1259, Email: meltonberube@ainop.com

Windham, ME: Saccarappa Obedience Club - Contact(s): Name: Claire Marx, Phone: (207) 854 - 3647

MASSACHUSETTS

Boxborough, MA:

Concord Dog Training Club - Website: http://www.concorddogtraining.org - (978) 371 - 1133

Cambridge, MA - New England Dog Training Club, (617) 868 - 1713, Email:info@nedtc.org

Marstons Mills, MA:

ape Cod Kennel Club, Contact(s): Betty McAdams, (508) 428-536?, Email:mesu@capeonramp.com

Milton, MA:

South Shore Dog Training Club, Contact(s): Sue Ellen, (617) 698 - 4312, Email:springers64@yahoo.com

Northfield, MA:

Pioneer Valley Kennel Club, Contact(s): Darci Brown, (413) 498 - 5006, Email:dbhappyhr@hotmail.com

Pembroke, MA:

South Shore Kennel Club, Contact(s): Geraldine Kimball, (781) 826 - 6012, Email:bayrock@fiam.net

South Dartmouth, MA:

Wampanoag Kennel Club, Contact(s): Tim Hoeffgen, (508) 636 - 4077

Wellesley, MA:

Charles River Dog Training Club Inc - Website: http://www.geocities.com/crdtc - Contact(s):Ellen Brinker, (781) 235 - 3813, Email:crdtc@geocities.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE - no clubs listed

RHODE ISLAND

Smithfield, RI:

Obedience Training Club of Rhode Island. Contact(s): James Ashton (401) 231 - 4709

VERMONT

W Bountiful, VT:

Kopper Valley Shih Tzu Fanciers, Contact(s): Susan Adamson, (801) 292 - 1931, Email:sanenshihtzu@aol.com

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