we did it!!!

[elk]

I didn't want to say anything before, but Maudie and I have been preparing to take the Delta Society test to be certified as a therapy team. (Delta Society is a VERY cool organization HQ'd in WA state which studies and supports the human /animal bond in health care)

This morning we were tested and ....we passed! (You are tested for handler/dog skills as well as aptitude: staggering gesturing people, loud noises, being crowded etc and your dog needs to keep her cool as well as enjoy all thst people input; and the handler needs to be really keyed in to her dog and proactive in supporting her)
...The failure rate today was really high, less than 1/3 of the dogs passed. Not sure why...

I'm SO excited. I've done lots of dog stuff...show, obedience, tracking, herding, agility....but I am thinking that this will be the most rewarding, and the most binding.

Not sure where we'll go to work...Nursing home? hospital? prison? library? (i'm really interested in the READ to the dogs program which helps kids become better readers... We're needed SO many places!!

Anyway. I'm very proud of my girl and very happy... and she was pooped afterwards so I took her home and took myself out to look at bikes...more on that elsewhere..

[crazycanuck]

Thank you for taking the time to do this! I;m sure you and your fur friend will make many people happy!

thank you again

c

[mimitabby]

congratulations! what kind of dog is Maudie?

[salsabike]

THAT is cool. Making the world a little better.

[nic840]

Congratulations to you and Maudie!!
My boy Oscar and I are Delta certified too! It is extremely rewarding and a great experience to share with your animal.

Oscar has been doing it for about 5 years now. He was certified when he was three and we started working at nursing homes and hospitals. We were regulars at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento for a few years until my kids were born...then my volunteer time was put on hold for a while.
We have done school programs, reading programs and senior services. The opportunites and demand are overwhelming!

It is amazing how the seniors and kids just open up to you when they see the dog come in...I have heard so many wonderful stories about history, life and love that I have been truely blessed. I had one gentleman tell me about being a cowboy...this guy was a "true" cowboy. The kids missed their animals and just wanted Oscar (a 90lb lab) to climb into bed with them so they could cuddle. It was great!
I could tell you many wonderful stories but I am sure that you and Maudie make plenty of your own.

Enjoy it and I suggest keeping a journal. I wish I had. I know have a 10-week old lab that I am hoping to get certified in a few years, he is going to make a great therapy dog. Oscar is semi-retired, arthritis and my free time are not on his side.
Oh one recommendation is to get a polaroid camera or something that you can take instant pics with and then get a paw print stamp and sign it from Maudie...they love having a keepsake. Just a suggestion! (if someone is looking for something to get you for christmas its a good one)
Good luck and if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

Here is a picture of Oscar posing for the kids at Shriners school art class. They had to paint a picture of him without using the color black.

[sandra]

That is such a cool thing. Congratulations!!! That is so wonderful!

My poodle, Bull, that just had the surgery was a pet therapy dog when I got him. He was at the hospital where I worked sitting up in someone's lap in the IV room when I first saw him. I convinced them to sell him to me.

I have taken him to the nursing home. He is such a good dog, unlike his sister who would lick them to death and in the face. He will just sit there. It is very rewarding and you will love it.

[Flybye]

I am just overwhelmed right now!

You two have done something with your dogs that I have considered doing with mine now for about a year. She is only two and still needs to mellow a bit before she's ready for an endeavor like this, but she is a great dog. I would love to be able to bless the lives of others with some time with a great dog.


You both have such good hearts to do this for people. What rewards you will have by giving people therapy with animals.

Thanks for the pictures, thanks for making my heart flutter and my eyes "mist" for the night!

Congrats Elk!

Love ya both!!!

[elk]

thanks gang.

Oscar is HOT!!!! and thanks for the excellent suggestions nic840....was it you that posted the photo of the little yellow puppy with what looks like awesome structure?

Maudie is a rough collie...I think I posted a photo of her with my Globe.....Mixte handlebars?

[margo49]

THAT is cool. Making the world a little better.

What she said!

[ibcycling]

How very cool Elk & Maudie!! Congrats!!!!! Therapy work has been an aspiration of mine for a few years now. Way to go and please give us an update or two on your adventures.

Lora

[nic840]

I just re-read my message...so sorry for all the typos! Ugh! Cold medicine must be making me loopy!

Elk - yes the pictures of the handsome yellow lab pup were my new boy, Wally. He is going to be in training for therapy work as well as my new hunting buddy. Right now he is busy being a puppy, tugging on Oscar and jumping in leaf piles

It is really funny to see Oscar as a big mellow boy when he is in a therapy situation and then to see him hunting with the best in the pheasant field. Dual personalities. He is very true to his breed!

Have fun with Maudie and keep us posted on your first visit. There are some therapy spin-off groups that do scheduled visits to homes, etc. That is how I started here. There would be 4 or 5 dogs that would visit a home at one time. It was a good way to get feedback from other handlers and watch how your dog did in the new situations. After a few times I really enjoyed going by myself and doing one-on-one work. Have Fun!!!

[snapdragen]

That is very cool! We have therapy dogs working in the rehab unit at the hospital - yes, they are actual employees. They have the badges to prove it! One guy even got employee of the month once.