Emma - ? new therapy dog

[Emmasmom]

I had contacted our local St. John's Ambulance group about having at least one of my dogs become a therapy dog. I got a call tonight - Emma will be undergoing evaluation in February to see if she will pass. Of the three, I think she has the best potential to become one. Over time, I might just get the other two evaluated as well.

Please keep us in your thoughts as we work towards this goal. This is something I have wanted to do for many years but being caregiver to my parents meant I just couldn't do it. Now that I am on my own, I am looking for ways to volunteer with the dogs.

[dawns2shelties]

I am so excited for you and Emma! I know you can do it. Good luck!

[Shelby's mom]

Good luck!! You can do if. Volunteering is so rewarding. We volunteer at a local nursing home and both Shelby and the residents love it. Unfortunately we haven't been threre recently b/c flu is too bad here. We will have to wait a month or so until flu season is over.

[corbinam]

That is so cool! I wish I had more time, I'd love to do something like that.

[mbfrench]

You both will do so well. It is so much fun to do this with a dog of your own. I know Trapp loves to go visit & work. The smiles that Emma will bring to others,will I'm sure bring a tear of you being a proud mom of her.

Wishing you well,please keep us updated ok.

[take4roll10]

Good luck! I've always wanted a therapy dog. Unfortunately, Bailey doesn't have the right temperament.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Emmasmom

Please keep us in your thoughts as we work towards this goal. This is something I have wanted to do for many years but being caregiver to my parents meant I just couldn't do it. Now that I am on my own, I am looking for ways to volunteer with the dogs.

Layla and I will be holding our thumbs for you and Emma. It's so rewarding -- we wish you all the best! Layla's been a therapy dog for six years now -- it's her work in life.

[OntarioSheltie]

Good luck at the testing, I'll try and drop by toward the end to see how you did.

[PatC]

Therapy dog work interests me, too...my two are unofficial therapy dogs, visiting my mother at her assisted living residence. They have also visited the patients in physical therapy there, and anyone who expresses an interest in meeting them--and many are interested! They do it really well...they are calm and patient and seem to understand that they have "a job" to do in cheering these folks. Seeing people's reaction to them brings tears to my eyes--they light up, and invariably start talking about their own long-ago pets. One basically non-verbal, nearly 100-year-old man was asked by an aide if he would like to pet them (I never approach anybody with them who doesn't show an interest); it took him a second, but he mustered up the loudest "you bet!!" I have ever heard.

Is it a long road to official certification?

[Emmasmom]

I am not sure how the process completely works. Melissa has two of her dogs certified, so she could answer that best. She is actually certified through the same group I will be working with. I go for the orientation on Feb 4, Emma has her evaluation on the 17th and we go from there. From what research I have been doing, it sounds like she will do just fine. I have things to work with her on. The evaluation is similar to getting their CGN or the American CGC.