And then they came for me...

Welcome to our world.

Soon, if you don't feed purina foods you won't be allowed to work with delta.  The writing is already on the wall....

 Yup assuming they confirm this development, I'm gone - I know it wasn't a popular opinion but I could kind of see their stance on pure raw diets, but totally ignoring all the QC screening THK does?!  Ridiculous. 

I'm actually considering getting some people together to possibly develop a new therapy animal program.  It might be too much to do, but I'm going to try it at least.  I liked Delta so much mainly because of their more stringent requirements than the other major orgs; they really made me confident in the skills of the animals in the program.  If Delta's going to alienate people like this, then why not create a new org that has the benefits w/o the issues?

stardog85

I'm actually considering getting some people together to possibly develop a new therapy animal program.  It might be too much to do, but I'm going to try it at least.  I liked Delta so much mainly because of their more stringent requirements than the other major orgs; they really made me confident in the skills of the animals in the program.  If Delta's going to alienate people like this, then why not create a new org that has the benefits w/o the issues?

Go for it, Erin!

Oh I had to share - I told my new vet about the new development and she basically told me to tell them to "get cooked" LOL.  She's a huge proponent of raw and similar diets - actually suggested raw turkey necks for tooth health at our last appointment - so it looks like we'll have a vet advisor for sure; I'm talking with another vet that posted on THKs facebook wall as well.

If anyone here is a current therapy dog handler and would be interested in getting involved, please let me know via pm (my email listed for dog.com is  my junk email). If you would like to become a team, I'm sure we could use that perspective as well...

 Aw man that really sucks. That is two groups now that have done this...Why is it they're against raw fed dogs? I don't understand. :-/

Andrea, which other group has added a similar policy?

 The one Bevo is in right? Or was in?

 One and the same actually.

 Just got off the phone after one of the most frustrating calls in my entire life.  They are incredibly defensive when questioned, though they do say that they are "working with THK".  Somehow I'm a bit sckeptical about how much actual working together they are doing as they didn't know anything about Preference (which is approved if used with meat protein that is cooked thanks to me pointing it out...).

I ended up crying on the phone and basically hanging up because I was so upset - the I'm sorry I was given at the end was totally unsatisfactory.  So much for being able to talk rationally about the whole thing.

Amanda - what did you do when you left Delta?  I'm thinking about writing a formal letter, but I don't really want to give back my cards since 1. I want proof that I was an Evaluator and Pet Partner, and 2. Several have me and Maggie on them and I cherish anything with her and I together now.  Thoughts?

They certainly don't have anything written down about stuff like that - my Evaluator status expires in December and Z's Pet Partners card expires in May - but I was thinking Amanda had said something about sending back all of her stuff when she left.

 I don't know why everyone's so upset - Therapy Dogs, Inc. will allow dogs that eat raw.  Join us!!!

stardog85

- but I was thinking Amanda had said something about sending back all of her stuff when she left.

BEVOLASVEGAS

I am no longer a delta member. I sent all of their stuff back to them with a letter detailing my reasons for no longer supporting them.

from: http://forum.dog.com/forums/t/106790.aspx?PageIndex=3 , which I am now moving into Therapy/Service dogs section