therapy work real work?

[Domina]

Do any of you do therapy work? Do you consider this to be part of a Rottie's working capabilities? No one has mentioned therapy, only carting and protection among some other things. Just wondering what you all think.
Randi

[judy v]

oh, yes. my dog has been certified for eight years, and has received much local press, although now he is retired. he was particularly good with mentally and physically challenged children and alzheimer patients. the work, (and, yes, it is work) can be hard on both you and your dog. not every animal is suited to this job. hospitals have strange and sudden sounds and smells, and sometimes the staff is attired in wierd gear. the patients, themselves, often have jerky or uncontrolled movements and/or unpredictable behavior. as far as you are concerned, expect some of your favorite people to die.

there is an up side though. you can experience miracles. we had success establishing communication w/an alzheimers patient who had been catatonic for years. it only happened one time, but you have to take the successes and run. no, usually your people don't get better because of your efforts, but i do believe you can make their time here a bit more endurable.

[This message has been edited by judy v (edited April 06, 1999).]

[Liz]

There were a couple of threads in this forum that mentioned therapy work. Two of my dogs are registered therapy dogs, both are now retired, but both worked for years. One in an Alzheimers facility and the other in a shelter for battered women and children.

IMO, therapy work is most definitely WORK. When you have a dog that can withstand having a wheelchair run over its toes, being punched in the face by a patient, being verbally abused by confused and/or disturbed patients, etc. etc. without lashing out or backing away from the situation you truly have a temperamentally sound dog.

Unfortunately, too many owners just get the title and then don't do any work with it.

Liz

------------------
www.inxpress.net/~harkon/
harkon@inxpress.net

[CarolineS]

Try www.petsforum.com/deltasociety and then follow the links to the info you need. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by CarolineS (edited April 09, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by ~helga (edited November 27, 1999).]