[Deanna]

Maltese seem to be the perfect dog to participate in Pet Therapy. For those that don't know- this is where you and your pet visit hospitals, nursing homes, etc.

After giving our new dog a chance to settle in, and get to know each other I would like to take our local chapter's training course, and hopefully volunteer at a nursing home.

Does anyone here volunteer with their pet?

 

[jmm]

Mikey did AAT in a local middle-school with the special education classroom. We really enjoyed it.

 

[Laceys mom]

I would love to have Lacey do that, but I don't think she would be good at that. She is really good with people one on one, but if she had lots of hands coming at her she would panic.

 

[jmm]

Originally posted by Laceys mom@Oct 8 2005, 09:20 AM
I would love to have Lacey do that, but I don't think she would be good at that.  She is really good with people one on one, but if she had lots of hands coming at her she would panic.
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What about a nursing home visiting bed to bed? There are so many different places you can do therapy work.

 

[louise]

I would love to do that also. What kind of trainning is needed? What is the best age to start? I dont know if Sophie would be good at it yet because she is still so young, but that would be so much fun. I worked at a nursing home a few years ago. I enjoyed the residents so much.
The hardest part was seeing them get ill. But I loved when I had time to just sit and talk with them. It was very rewarding when you felt you added something special to their day.

 

[Maidto2Maltese]

I am seriously considering this for little Naddie . I think next spring we'll see about it.
I can see she just adores being with people.. she is very gentle.. and just seems to 'win" everyone over that meets her.
However she first has to get the "potty' down pat first

and I have started working on some basic obedience with her... she is coming along .

 

[jmm]

First, find a group in your area that does it. Either contact local nursing homes or try your local kennel club. They can refer you. You can also find a group by finding an evaluator.

Most groups either hold a class or refer to a class that does some basic obedience and gets the animals use to things like wheelchairs and walkers. Then your dog is evaluated by somebody certified to do so.

You want to be with a group that is insured so I wouldn't just do it on my own.

http://www.deltasociety.org/

http://www.tdi-dog.org/

These are the 2 biggest therapy dog organizations in the U.S.A.

 

[Tanner's Mom]

I work at a retirement community where we have independent and assisted living on one side of the campus and a nursing home (we call it a Medical Center) on the other. Tanner, my 1 year old Malt, comes to work with me every day. One lady waits for me each morning to say hello, she's so cute, another we visit on a regular basis. Everybody knows Tanner, the CEO calls him our Mascot. The residents in the nursing home really like to see him, many of them aren't able to pet him but they like to see the animals. (We also have birds and cats over there). I told you that to tell you this--your visits will be very much appreciated.

 

[Deanna]

Thanks for all the replies, sorry it has taken me so long to get back, we were out of town all weekend.

In my area we have a Pet Therapy Society. They require the dog to take a basic obiedence course, and then they give a test called Canadian Canine Good Citizen. If the dog passes their test they certifiy him and find you a place to volunteer.

I am hoping to volunteer in a nursing home- I always feel the elderly are the most neglected group in our society. And also- I would be nervous having kids handle our little guy.