Therapy

[GypsysMom]

Can anyone give me websites for therapy dogs? I found one location near me after i filled the online application of course I was unable to send it due to their site, I know a found some sites a while back and they stated the dog had to be 12months or older and pass basic obedience and puppy class, which Cash will have done by the time he is 1.. He was with Timmys friends that came over today and I think he will make a great therapy dog he is so comforting, I wish I could explain the way this dog is, its like he knows what Im feeling, he is the most lovable dog I have ever owned, yes Gypsy is a lover to me and the family, but Cash is like that with everyone. I know he is young still but like I have said before Gypsy was never like this at that age

[targonrotts]

the therapy dog group i belong to is therapy dogs, inc and their website is Therapy Dogs, Inc.
there are other registries such as delta society and therapy dogs international.
i do not have their websites handy, but i know they have posted them up before and you can probably also google them.
good luck!

[cerulean]

Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
Delta Society - Improving Human Health through Service and Therapy Animals

Hope this helps.... I had them bookmarked because we thought we might be interested in trying this with our pup when she's older...

[toby01]

I did a little research for it in the past and if I remember correctly the dog had to be neutered and pass the CGC.

[JoJo]

I did a little research for it in the past and if I remember correctly the dog had to be neutered and pass the CGC.

I never heard about a dog must be "neutered" to be eligible to become a therapy dog. I know of champion show dogs that are also therapy dogs. They aren't neutered or spayed. Yes, they must pass their CGC besides passing the therapy groups required tests.

[jlaack]

Hey Gypsysmom, check to see if there is a kennel club in your area, they might be able to help with classes and certification. Our kennel club offers both. Delta is also a good source. I think this is an awesome goal for the breed, for Cash, for you and for whoever it is that Cash assists.

[jaxnvilleguy]

I am interested in doing therapy too, I did check the website and it doesn't say anything about having to be neutered in fact here is a cut and paste from the website.


7. Participating dogs must be clean and well groomed, have trimmed/filed nails, clean teeth, be free of internal and external parasites, and in good general health. Dogs that have any fresh wounds, recent surgery, or other injuries may not do pet therapy visits until recovered and healed. Bitches “in season” will not participate in therapy visits. Maternity leave is required for pregnant bitches from 30 days prior to whelping date to 60 days after whelping.

[Cdn1050]

Originally Posted by toby01

I did a little research for it in the past and if I remember correctly the dog had to be neutered and pass the CGC.

There are some that require the dog to be altered and pass the CGN. The one I want to try Neyla in I'm pretty sure requires the dog to be spayed / neutered, their test is similar to the CGN but I would prefer her to have her CGN before trying their test, and must be 2 years of age. One other thing I forgot to mention, some won't allow you to enroll your dog in therapy work if they participate in sports such as Schuntzhund.

[JoJo]

There are some that require the dog to be altered and pass the CGN. The one I want to try Neyla in I'm pretty sure requires the dog to be spayed / neutered, their test is similar to the CGN but I would prefer her to have her CGN before trying their test, and must be 2 years of age. One other thing I forgot to mention, some won't allow you to enroll your dog in therapy work if they participate in sports such as Schuntzhund.

Excuse my ignorance, but is this a Canadian therapy group that has these requirements?

[Cdn1050]

Originally Posted by JoJo

Excuse my ignorance, but is this a Canadian therapy group that has these requirements?

There are two therapy dog programs offered in my city. The one (I can't remember the name or find the link. When I read their website a year and a half ago, one of the requirements was that the dog had to be altered, and I could of sworn it said two years of age (the dog). The other one that I want to look into is the the St. John's Ambulance one. Sorry moderators if I broke any rules by mentioning the name. Requires that your dog:
Is one year of age and older
Accepting of a friendly stranger
Sitting calmly for petting
Walking on a loose leash
Walking through a crowd (including wheelchairs)
Sitting on command/staying in place
Reacting well to another dog or to distractions (noise, jogger).
All dogs are tested for temperament and therapeutic qualities, and must be annually certified by their veterinarians as being up-to-date on all required vaccinations and in good general health. It is a requirement of the program that all dogs must be clean and thoroughly groomed before each visit.

The second one seemed more reasonable, and I just put the first one out of mind until I had come across this thread. I'm going to have to do a good Google search and not post the name of the therapy group but just their requirements if I can find the link.

[GypsysMom]

I spoke with a tester yesterday, they have open houses every few months so they can get an idea on your dogs temperment, so the next one Cash will be closer to a year old, he doesnt have to be 1 to come to the open house, he will have to have 3 evaluations before he can become certified.
Its through Botsford Hospital In farmington, Im familar with this hospital since I was born there as was my son.

The tester told me I have to have the puppy class completed (which I do) and he must know basic obedience and be over all friendly.
I know dogs change from 7 months on but I seriously dont think he will change much, Gypsy didnt she was a brat at 7 months and she still is, even though she has gotten a better attitude now that she is almost 2

Im excited I really want Cash to do something to make someone happy, he makes me happy everytime I look at him.. I have a certain love for this dog and I want him to be all that he can be..

[2rotties2luv]

My recommendation for people who want to do therapy work with a rottie or other large breed working dog is to wait at least until the dog is mentally mature and an adult, which for a rottie, typically happens between two and three years old - usually closer to three for a male. You may be able to pass the evaluations before this, but then you will be making therapy visits with an adolescent rottweiler, who can be unpredictably bratty and moody. This is not an age at which your dog will be a reliable ambassador for the breed.

I also recommend several years of obedience training before beginning therapy work. You want a dog who is absolutely solid in all the basic commands and who has plenty of experience in working under distractions. This isn't acheived in puppy class, no matter how well the puppy did.

Therapy work is stressful for the dog, even though it seems as though it would be easy. I've seen more than one dog get burned out because their owner was impatient to get them started and began therapy work before the dog was fully mature. The burn-out manifested itself in a reluctance to interact with the people that they were trying to visit. These were previously friendly, sociable dogs.

For a rottie, the ideal therapy dog is a mature adult, fully well trained and mentally mature. This dog will be calm and confident, freindly and sociable, and under control at all times and in all situations. This dog will provide unmeasureable benefits to the people they visit, and will be an outstanding ambassador for the breed.

Please consider waiting a while before putting your rottie in therapy visits. Give him lots more obedience training and give him some time to mature. You sound as if you're very impatient to begin therapy work, but think of what's best for your dog and the people you'll be visiting. I would encourage you to visit the open house and talk to the people there about when they think it is appropriate for a large breed , slow-to-mature working breed to begin therapy work. You might also ask if you can accompany a therapy handler and their dog (without your dog) on some therapy visits. Years ago, this was an eye-opener for me, as I had no idea of the reality of what was expected of the dogs on a therapy visit. Please think about it.

[whisperwalk]

I helped someone test in therapy a few months ago in NY state. One of the harder things for them was the equipment. They took the walker I was using and flipped it over near the dog. It looked bored. From what the testers told me, the owners often didn't remember to train their dogs to be calm but aware around wheelchairs, walkers etc.

My little sweetie would chew through an IV in a heartbeat. Hopefully I won't be on one anytime soon!

[GypsysMom]

Im not impatient, I know what needs to be done, but there is nothing wrong with checking into everything before he actually becomes one, I know he will have to have more then puppy class, I was just stating that was a requirement, I have no reason to stop him from training since he knows sits, and downs, he is in obedience now and has another class starting March1st he will also do CGC testing, I was told he will make a great therapy dog and my vet says his personality is awesome..

when the time is right he will become a therapy dog, I have been reading alot of books on it and getting information from people that have therapy dogs themselves, Im doing my research Im not just jumping the gun so to speak.. I want the best for my dog and I dont want him to fail at all.

[2rotties2luv]

Kim, it sounds as though you're going about this in exactly the right way. Although it takes time and effort to get there, I've found that therapy work is the most rewarding thing I've done in my life. There is a great need for it too, it's amazing what interaction with a dog can do! How fortunate you are to have found a dog like Cash!