Therapy Dog in Jamaica

[Dieselpup]

I was so glad to see the last few posts regarding therapy work.

I am passionate about nurturing my Busta (5 months old) to become a therapy dog, but here are the issues:

1. I'm new to Rotties
2. Busta's my first dog that I'm owning as an adult
3. There are no therapy dogs in Jamaica (no one I've spoken to about this work has ever heard of dogs doing this type of work).
4. There are no organizations in Jamaica to provide a "standard" that I should try to reach with my boy.

and, oh yes...

I'm training this dog myself!

His obedience is going well; I've been working with a wonderful trainer here who was educated in the US.

I feel like a woman on a deserted island, just me and my pup. I've been taking him out to socialize him--some people instantly love him and cuddle him, while others run for their lives.

I took him into work for a very brief moment--I had to drop off some papers. Almost the entire office cleared out when I brought in Busta on his leash, and he was offended (lay down on the floor with his head between his two front paws). About three people stayed to play with him. Some places I take him to, like shopping centers, have policies regarding pets.

Anyway, I've been getting my ideas re: training/socializing from this website and others. I e-mailed someone from Therapy Dogs International, thinking that this was a real international organization, but received no reply.

[newbrunswick]

I have no experience with this, but thought I'd reply to bring it up front for someone else to respond to. Good luck!

[Karyn]

Just keeping this up - I think "Delta" does therapy certs. We do have therapy dogs on this site - I am sure someone with definitive information will jump in. Good for you - pioneering can be difficult but one person CAN make a difference.