Therapy Dogs at Ground Zero

[CarolineS]

Here's a link to a story that appeared in a Toronto paper a few weeks ago. It's great to see dogs working in a lot of different capacities to help at Ground Zero.

http://wsphotofews.excite.com/016/o4/G5/t8/Tl89750.jpg

[2rotties2luv]

Thank you, Caroline, for posting the link to that article. It's good to know that the world is gradually coming to know the help that therapy dogs can provide. I wish that there were more of them working at the WTC site, though. Actually, I inquired a few days after 9/11, since my mother lives in NJ about a 15 min drive from ground zero, I thought I'd go down there to help since I would have a place to stay. Unfortunately, the Red Cross told me that I wouldn't be allowed there with a therapy dog unless I was certified in grief counseling as well.:(

I've read that therapy dogs were used after Oklahoma City, and also after some of the school shootings. They're used here in schools when schoolkids have died in violent crimes (shootings, etc.). Sad work, but very helpful.

[CarolineS]

From the article, it sounds like they have now realized that just the presence of the dog is enough. You belong to TDI, don't you? It was one of the organizations mentioned in the article. Maybe if you contacted their headquarters, they could give you some contacts so you could go in and help now?

[vVRotts]

On the renewal materials I just received from TDI, there is now an additional question to answer as to whether you would like to volunteer for their disaster relief team... however, it doesn't state any specific qualifications. There's no other information in the renewal packet; if I get a chance to inquire further I'll post again... or if any other TDI registered folks find out please post!

[SarasMom]

I'm a TDI member. I hadn't looked carefully at my renewal materials until just now. I see what you mean. I think I'll fax TDI today for more information about this disaster team. Did you notice it says a couple of places that mail without a return address will not be opened? A sign of the times I guess. :(

[vVRotts]

Originally posted by SarasMom
Did you notice it says a couple of places that mail without a return address will not be opened? A sign of the times I guess. :(

Sad, but unfortunately, not surprising given what's been going on :(

I took a quick look at Delta Society's site to see whether they, too, have something similar for disaster relief... apparently they are screening interested NYC-area teams and providing some training as well...

http://www.deltasociety.org/petpart/ppreg.htm

[SarasMom]

I got an email reply from TDI today.

The disaster relief team is a group of handlers and dogs in different areas that we can call on to visit disaster sites, whether natural or otherwise.
Thanks
Your friends at TDI

No details there. Sounds to me like it's in the planning stages and they're going to use regional teams. Sounds interesting.

[vVRotts]

Thanks, SarasMom for following up with TDI... it must be a brand new program. I guess we should just keep an eye out for further information!