More on Therapy dog

[twomanydogs]

Does anyone have any information about therapy dog training/certification in the Duluth MN area?

[Anton]

You could check out The Delta Society at Delta Society

The website has a lot of information about their organization, and should be able to give you info for the Minnesota area.

I had two dogs certified as Pet Partners with Delta for many years. I was very disappointed when I had to give it up due to a change in work schedules.

[Daisy Duke]

It is too far too drive, I am sure, but we are having one here in lakeville August 8th...not really worth a 5-7 hour drive....

[macksworld]

Daisy Duke where is the training in Lakeville going to be ?

[Daisy Duke]

It is just the test...It is at Tails Up Dog Training. Aug 8 @ 4-7 pm. I think it is like 15 dollars or some thing. Tails up it on Cedar Ave and Hwy. 70.

[2rotties2luv]

If you check the Delta Society Pet Partners website link given above by Anton, you can look to see if there is an evaluator in your area. You then contact the evaluator to find out where and when upcoming evaluation testing will be done.

As far as training, lots of obedience training and socilalzation to as many different types of people and situations as possible is a must.

Delta Society also requires you to complete a short home-study course which teaches you what your responsibilities are as the handler of a therapy dog, and also how to cope with different situations that may come up during therapy visits.

[twomanydogs]

Great ! I will check with Delta. In the meantime I will work on obedience. No it is not to far to drive. But we need to do some work first. Hes great but I have been pretty slack on fine tuning.
People are so afraid when they see him(the Rottie thing) until I tell them that he is a nursing home regular. They warm right up to him. I would LOVE to have him be a Certified Therapy Dog.
I will keep you updated on our progress.
Thanks all

[lisafobian]

My rottie is 11 months old, he is also my therapy/companion dog. People were afraid of him also at first, but I have trained him to sit or to lay down, and this allows people to see he very gentle even without me bringing up the whole therapy thing. He has now become the neighborhood favorite. We are constantly praising him when he is gentle on his own, and let me tell you he was a barker and a jumper. He was overwhelming people, he would run towards strangers growling and then get up in their face only to lick them. This is acceptable to me. I was pleasantly surprised a few weeks ago I took him to the beach, and I looked away for a moment, when I turned around a little girl with down syndrome approached him, he layed down next to her, while she was petting him, I was so impressed by his instict with this little girl.

About the therapy dog, I did not go through any therapy training program, I trained the dog on my own, and I certified him on my own, I would check with the county that you live in and see what they require for you to have a therapy dog. I live in Washington state; all I needed was a doctors note.
I was able to purchase a vest for my dog on line.

I love therapy dogs and what they can do for people, mine find pinpointed a birth defect in my heart, and has also pulled me out of a deep depression, and I am no longer on medication. The part of the Delta Society that bothered me is that they have the mentality that if the animal does not go through this formal training and get a certificate of a good canine citizen then the animal is not actually a therapy dog. This is so they can make money off people. I see the point of formally training a dog or purchasing a dog that has been formally trained for a seeing eye dog and what not in this area. The Delta society doesnt need to trained your rottie to pull you, or pick something up, open the door, turn off the lights.
A dog that is well loved and knows his/her place will learn this to please you. A rottie is a great friend, loyal, paitent, protective, and the best part they dont smell as bad as some other dogs.

[twomanydogs]

I live in such a remote/small town..I am the therapy program. HA HA
I dont need any certifacation here. I just want it for my boy. Well maybe for me..

[twomanydogs]

We are getting there! We go in for evaluation on November 4th......Thanks for all your help. I will keep you updated.

[Anton]

Are you going with Delta Society, or one of the other registries?

Good luck !! I know I sure miss doing the hospital visitation. I plan to start back up when I retire !!

[twomanydogs]

We are going with the Delta Society as you guys mentioned. I did the home study course and of course learned a few things..I have time to work on my boys eagerness to meet other dogs...I think this would be his olny issue during evaluation. Not aggressive in any way but once in a while he is a bit to excited. We are on a roll. Am ordering him a harness today if the internet does not drive me NUTS! Maybe a cart tooo.
Having a day. Think I will vent in CHIT CHAT.
Thanks All!

[kmellor]

Hi I have been following your posts and have decided like you to try the home study course. Was it easy to follow? How long did it take to complete (although I guess it would be different for each dog!)? Good luck with your evaluation and keep us posted!
Kathy

[twomanydogs]

It was very easy for us. My boy is so conditioned already. He has never had any formal training but we have a perfect lifestyle. But...because he has never had any formal training...We have a few things to work on. Ignoring food on the floor is a big one. I own a couple restaurants...When we close he get to cruse the floor. Only treats he gets but.. now I need to break him of that...The study was easy. Obediance is everything. Good luck to you....I will post more when and if we pass.......

[holzwurm]

What is the distinction between a "Service dog" trained to compensate for a handicaped person and a dog that is trained to go into places like hospitals, nursing homes and just let patients pet and snuggle the dog? Is that a companion dog?