Therapy Dogs!!

Sgt.Meyer · 08-07-2008, 09:10 PM

Ok we need a little positive flow to get back in the groove! What does everyone think of TDI?? I have been looking in to getting Sarge licensed as a therapy dog and I wondered if there were any DT dobies out there doing the same thing?

ca323 · 08-07-2008, 09:18 PM

Thinking about it. My wife and I are both trying to get into med school or PA school so we'd love to be able to bring our dog into the hospital any time we please. Plus the cert can only help for apartment dwellers where dobies might not be welcome. We're thinking about Wilderness S&R as well since we love being outdoors and hiking and getting him comfortable out there would be a plus for us!

Sgt.Meyer · 08-07-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca323

Thinking about it. My wife and I are both trying to get into med school or PA school so we'd love to be able to bring our dog into the hospital any time we please. Plus the cert can only help for apartment dwellers where dobies might not be welcome. We're thinking about Wilderness S&R as well since we love being outdoors and hiking and getting him comfortable out there would be a plus for us!

I'm with ya....currently getting ready to graduate Radiology school in two weeks. Finally get paid for working after all this time, haha. Good luck with all your education....I've been thinking about PA in the future. I'll be looking into that S&R, my husband and I are also very active outdoors.

ca323 · 08-07-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt.Meyer

I'm with ya....currently getting ready to graduate Radiology school in two weeks. Finally get paid for working after all this time, haha. Good luck with all your education....I've been thinking about PA in the future. I'll be looking into that S&R, my husband and I are also very active outdoors.

Yeah I finish Public Health school this next june and my wife will hopefully start PA school either then, depending on the school or in the fall and I may start med school then too (crossing my fingers) so we'll see. My mother was an ER nurse on third shift for most of my early life so we used to bring our rottie over to chill and I always loved the idea of having a dog who was trained enough to make many more people happy than just my family. Good luck to you as well with school. Radiology is a great field to be getting into right now with all the changes and soon to be changes in healthcare. I am a health policy major so I enjoy that stuff. Good luck all the same!!!!!

MoJo's Master · 08-07-2008, 09:36 PM

I use Mojo as a mobility-assistance service-animal. We get a lot of mixed comments when out in public places. He does a wonderful job showing one of many abilities of this incredible breed. Women, more than men seem to approach us the most. It's very interesting.

I think using Doberman's in any way that will allow the public to see and experience this breed in a positive way would be very beneficial to all. It may help brake the stereo-typical view of "Doberman's are mean and vicious".

**velmadobe** · 08-07-2008, 09:36 PM

My Velma is a Therapy Dog with Therapy Dog Incorporated - very similar to some other groups out there. It just happens to be the group that my obedience trainer is associated with and certifies dogs for.

I don't have much time to do therapy work anymore but do get out with her occasionally. It is great PR.

**Burns** · 08-07-2008, 09:50 PM

Red is taking his TDI test on September 7th. I think he would be great to take to homes and schools to do PR for the breed. He loves people.

Sgt.Meyer · 08-07-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

Red is taking his TDI test on September 7th. I think he would be great to take to homes and schools to do PR for the breed. He loves people.

Woo hoo! Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

**ellenm** · 08-07-2008, 09:52 PM

The CGC evaluator for Rex recommended I get him therapy certified...he just leans and mooches off people all day long if they allow it! And he is the height of a hospital bed! I am going to look into it.

**RedFawnRising** · 08-07-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca323

Thinking about it. My wife and I are both trying to get into med school or PA school so we'd love to be able to bring our dog into the hospital any time we please. Plus the cert can only help for apartment dwellers where dobies might not be welcome. We're thinking about Wilderness S&R as well since we love being outdoors and hiking and getting him comfortable out there would be a plus for us!

This is really vital to point out folks, Therapy Dogs are in no way, shape or form granted public access in the way Service Dogs are.

That means they may enter and work in venues ONLY where they have permission--they are not entitled access by law.

They further are not protected to dwell with you in rental property where they otherwise would not be allowed.

Sorry, but this is a very common misconception out there and it's very important not to blur the lines between Service Animals who are assisting their human partners with medical issues in their daily lives--and Therapy Dogs, who also do wonderful and important work--but for others, on a limited, episodic basis, with permission of the venue.

That said, I love hearing more Dobes may be out doing this type of work. Kudos to anyone pursuing this.