TDI Tests

[MrsBoats]

Hey Guys,

I don't know if this should be in the Working forum...if it needs to be moved, go for it.

I had heard someone mention that if you take the Therapy dog test and fail it, you can't take it again with the same dog who failed. Is that true??

[2rotties2luv]

Well, I know this is not true for Delta Society's Pet Partners program, because BOTH Sierra and Jazz failed that evaluation test the first time they took it. The evaluator told me not to liook at it as a failure, but to just realize that they needed additional training/practice in some areas.

I dont know about TDI, but you could check out their website at:

www.tdi-dog.org

I would guess that other smaller organizations and local groups probably have their own rules, so best to check with someone in that group involved with evaluation.

I know that the Delta evaluator in my area welcomes questions and is very helpful and supportive. At both websites you can find out the names and phone numbers of evaluators in your area. For Delta Society go to:

www.deltasociety.org

[MrsBoats]

Thanks!!! I'm getting back into formal training again now I'm finally out of crisis mode with the rest of my life. Sam has really settled down with age and maybe we'll get into therapy work. I had heard some one at our training club mention that once you fail, you're done. I thought to myself, that can't be right. Thanks for clarifying that for me!!

[Denise L.]

That's next for Cyrus too!

I am relieved that on failure doesn't spoil our chances forever!

I am not far from you Mrs. B. I will let you know when I take Cyrus (it will be soon, after the fall semester madness ends).

[Brooke&Ryan]

Julius got his TDI this spring/summer & there was a dog retaking the test in front of us...


Brooke

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by MrsBoats

I had heard someone mention that if you take the Therapy dog test and fail it, you can't take it again with the same dog who failed. Is that true??

I am sure it depends on how the dog failed. IF it was for taking the tester's face off, I am pretty sure the dog won't be asked to try again. If it was for a minor training related issue, then more training would be in order before trying again.

[Luvs]

Akasha failed her test with the Delta Society. They said that she just needed to mature a little bit (she was 14 months old and had just a little bit too much energy ) and they hoped we would try again in a couple of months. I wasn't able to retest her when they held their testing this past spring and now that she is doing bitwork she will be testing with TDI and not the Delta Society.
The people we tested with were very encouraging and told us that they were thrilled to see people with Rottweilers getting involved in therapy work.

[leonberger]

The hospital where my dog did therapy visits didn't recognize TDI or Delta. They have their own program and have a trainer from an assistance dog school come in to do yearly testing of all dogs in the program. We passed without a problem but I did notice that the dogs who didn't pass, their owners were told what areas needed more work and they were encouraged to come back again next year. The hospital took our pictures and gave us badges that we were to wear on each visit. It was such a great feeling to see someone who wasn't responding to other people start to talk to my dog and also to see how happy the nurses were when they saw this also. I so hope my Kade will calm down more and be able to do these visits also as I really miss the therapy visits.
On another note, my husband came home from the hospital with visits from the hospice nurses. I was so happy I had him come home so he could visit with the dogs and I was able to always be with him. Yes, it was hard in the end but still it was very comforting to see him so happy with the dogs. I think that if anyone can visit hospice patients, it is probably the best visits any dog loving patient can get.

[2rotties2luv]

Originally Posted by leonberger

I think that if anyone can visit hospice patients, it is probably the best visits any dog loving patient can get.

Agreed. My comments on this from another thread:

The nursing home where I provide pet therapy with Jazz also offers a limited number of rooms for hospice care. I always check these rooms when I make my rounds. Most times the hospice resident is out of it and is not responsive, so we don't visit.

Many times, however, there is family present and THEY appreciate some pet therapy. This is a sad and stressful time for them and they enjoy the diversion of touching the dog and of having something else to talk about. Twice it has happened while I was there with the family that my dog went over to the patient's bed and began rubbing their head against the patient's hand and gently licking the hand. Both times the patient woke up and began petting the dog and talking about how nice it was to have a dog visit. Both times when I left, the patient was talking and interacting with their family. Both families told me that this was the last time they were able to talk with their loved one before they passed.

If you visit someone in hospice care, you won't be asked to be there when they pass. You are simply providing some comfort while they are "finishing living" (I like that phrase!). Isn't this what we do when we visit nursing home residents with our dogs? If you think you would feel uncomfortable talking with someone who's dying, just talk about the things you would with any nursing home resident - the pets they've owned, their childhood, favorite things they remember, etc. Hospice patients are not hooked up to machines and medical equipment, just lying quietly in their beds. Dying is a natural thing, and part of the cycle of life - so I don't fear it. I was with my mother when she passed quietly and gently in hospice care and this is why.

However, I realize this isn't for everyone. I say, pet therapy is a wonderful thing, but best to go where you feel comfortable. If you are uncomfortable, your dog will pick up on it and the whole experience will be less than satisfactory.
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