[sassy's mommy]

I was out doing errands yesterday and happened into my local pet boutique which Sassy and I frequent While I was in there a conversation came up between me and the owner about pet therapy and I told her I had checked earlier and Sassy was not old enough but is old enough now. Anyway, yada yada yada and I made my purchase and came home. In a little while my phone rang and it was our local Animal Society and she was asking whether or not I would like to get Sassy certified through Delta Society. She said that they were in desperated need of a "little doggie" at the Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital here in Jax. I can not begin to say how excited I was. We had a long conversation and she said that we actually have an evaluator here in town and we made an appointment for me to go in this morning to pick up the home study course manual and all of the forms. I went to the appointment and the lady was soooooo excited at the possibility of getting Sassy to visit at Brooks. "Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital is a 143-bed, freestanding, not-for-profit hospital dedicated to treating patients with brain injury, strokes, spinal cord injury, comprehensive orthopedic problems and other disabling conditions. Brooks has more than 30 years experience dedicated exclusively to comprehensive rehabilitation care." So I am going to begin my study course immediately. Delta Society is very thorough and the entire application process takes about 6--8 weeks. I have told Sassy that she is going to be a "working girl." She is such a little social butterfly and when I shared her personality with the Animal Society lady she was just beside herself with joy. She said Sassy sounds perfect for the placement. I have all of the information about the fees and process if anyone is interested. I think this is going to be such a rewarding venture for both Sassy and myself to help people with these kinds of injuries. I will keep you posted as to our progress. We will see Sassy vet, Dr. Bennett, tomorrow at his annual open house. He will be so proud of Sassy. (And part of the process includes a well baby exam to be completed by him.) What do you ladies think? Don't you think Sassy will be a big hit?

The patients in this facility are not outpatients. They are there long term (8 weeks or more.) So Sassy will actually get to know them and them her. This will be so fun and rewarding.

 

[sassy's mommy]

Thanks to all who have wished us warm wishes and Kudos. I am very excited about this.

Paris' mom, I too am a little concerned about Sassy's temperment. However, I have been assured that she will be fine. The issue with Sassy is that she to sooooooooooooooo friendly. She never meets stranger and wants to kissy kissy everybody. The button sounds like a good idea. I was thinking about making cards with Sassy's picture and give them to the patients. The card would say something like......My new "Sassy" friend...............or, I was visited by a "Sassy" gir-r-r........I am not sure what yet but something cute with her picture. Maybe what you suggested something like, I was visited by a "Sassy" angel. Something cute!

Wizzyb....age requirement is at least 2 yrs. old.

Thanks again to all who have wished us luck! We love you guys!

 

[sassy's mommy]

Paris' mom....is Walmart cheaper than printing yourself? I have a pretty good printer, but with the cost of ink???????????????

Littleman's mom....nose licks? All I can say is that they better keep their mouth closed

Sassy has been known to lick a couple of teeth

Thanks Jaimie

 

[sassy's mommy]

Sassy's coat is pretty easy to brush out. Her daddy sometimes backstrokes her coat, so I am used to that. And Sassy is used to me pulling and tugging tangles.....oops, sorry baby girl, mommy did not mean to pull the baby's hair

I guess if it becomes a big problem I can put a dress on her for their visit. I don't have another dog to choose from

 

[sassy's mommy]

Originally posted by elliesmomie@Nov 7 2005, 03:47 PM
congrats sassy!! 

 

i Sassy's mommy:  is the Delta Society just in your area or is it an organization that is nation wide?
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Delta Society is National.

Originally posted by LadysMom@Nov 7 2005, 04:07 PM
What kind of trianing do they require? I know one of my neighbors got her little Yorkie mix certifed as a therapy dog and they spent many hours in school and "doing homework" for him to be able to pass his test and get certified. She used to sneak him on to the tennis court to practice with him off leash and I watched sometimes. What a well behaved little guy he was!
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There is a class that I am currently taking, then I have to pass a written exam. Then Sassy has to have a physical by her vet and have papers signed off on. And then the two of us have to be evaluated as a team in a stressful environment. Sassy will have to pass basic commands which I have been told is not always easy in a strange environment with lots of strange things going on, ie people make believe arguing, wheel chairs passing by, some walking with a limped gait towards her. Keep your fingers crossed she might freak out and want the mommy to hold her. You only get one shot at it unless the instructor messes up.

Originally posted by okw@Nov 7 2005, 09:11 PM
Pat,
Sounds like an exciting and rewarding thing to do for you and Sassy.
How was the open house at your vet's?  That sounds like fun too.
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Olga, the open house was great as always. We always make sure that we speak directly with Dr. Bennet so that he knows that we attended. I shared with him about the Delta Society application and he beamed from ear to ear. He is very proud to be Sassy's vet. There were about 6 different reps there from different canine product's companies. It is always informative. One rep came up to us when we were visiting with Dr. B and said, "were you here last year?" I said yes, and she said, "Yeah, and this little one was wearing a pink bow and this year she has a purple one." I wonder if she remembered any of the other visitors from the year before? My guess is....NOT