[2rotties2luv]

Just wondering how many rotties and member's other dogs are involved in therapy work.

How old is your dog?
How old was your dog when you began doing therapy work?
Do you belong to an organized therapy group?
Are you and your dog certified by any organization?
What kind of facility do you visit, and what sort of therapy activities do you do?
Has the staff at the facilities you visit been supportive, or have there been difficulties?

My rotties are Sierra, 7yrs old, and Jazz, 6 yrs old. We were first certified by a local organization when Sierra was 4.5 yrs and Jazz was 3.5 yrs. We were tested and certified by Delta Society about 1.5 yrs ago.

We began by visiting children and young adults at a local long-term-care charity hospital. Although the volunteer dept. was entheusiastic, the staff was not supportive and one person was downright hostile. The patients and the facility were not kept clean, and this was distracting to the dogs. After 6 months, I decided to stop.

I am now doing visits at elementary schools in my area, giving a classroom presentation on dog ownership responsibilities and/or dog bite prevention. I'm now talking with the local Girl Scout district program director, and I may give similar presentations to local girl scout and brownie troops in the coming year.

I also have visited a local camp, which has summer sessions for kids with cancer and AIDS.

And lastly, another therapy volunteer and I take our dogs and visit several dorms at a local college during finals ! The young folks really appreciate it, because its a welcome diverson and a stress-reliever ! Also a GREAT opportunity to promote rescue and the importance of training and socialization to future dog owners !