There's a new Therapy dog in town!

Well done! Congrats

Congrats Neiko!!!  Good job!!!  Now, don't sniff crotches and butts like Indie does, it's very embarrassing for your mama!  Indie passed a mock evaluation of the Delta Society test, but it's definitely something we have to work on before doing the real test and doing any visits! 

Where do you think you'll be visiting?  Are you going to specialize in certain facilities, like children or disabled for instance?  I was surprised when the demonstrators started talking about certain areas their dogs don't go because they don't do well with alzheimer's patients for instance.  I didn't realize that you could specialize like that.   

 I'm not sure yet. He loves kids and is really good with them. I'm kind of afraid of taking him to nursing homes because his pads are so rough. We'll see. I need to see the list of places our humane society works with.

I worried about that with Indie too, his pads are really rough also.  They told me I could put socks or booties on him if I wanted to or to just keep him from offering paw by having him do other things with them.  I want to figure out a way to attach a word to a behavior he does alot which I think would be good for visiting the elderly.  He likes to lie his head in laps for petting but then we encounter that pesky habit of his, so I'm trying to puzzle that one out.  Does your area have one of those reading programs where the kids read out loud to dogs?  That one seems fun.  One of the SPCA volunteers who does it told me crotch sniffing doesn't bother the kids, they laugh and think it's funny.  Whew!   

Yay Neiko!  I love his picture.  He looks like he's saying "Yeah, get a look at this new therapy dog on the block.  I rule!"

Okay, Aspen is not a real therapy dog.  He just played one when I went to visit my dad.  Dad lived in a secured unit & all his "roomies" were Alzheimer's victims.    He did fantastically with them ALL.  I initially just took him to see dad.  His other roomies wanted to pet him.  He sucked up the attention & was wonderful with the people.  Now I know he's not an official Therapy Dog & I'm not recommending just taking any dog into an Alz unit.  I'm just saying that Aspen did really well with the people there.  Prolly a fluke but the patients loved it & Aspen sucked up all the attention.

 no tips - just

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay!!! 

Most certifying agencies WANT you to be already working somewhere when they pass their tests and a nursing home or alzheimer's facility honestly can be a GREAT place to start.  It's a great place to proof distractions ("Yeah, I know that old fella has his pants off but let's just keep moving!";)

I honestly just keep the dogs with all 4 feet on the floor -- it's safer.  "giving paw" is cute BUT particularly it can be a disaster with kids and Alzheimer's patients.  It's too easy for a patient (of any sort) to grab and PULL on a paw to try to pull the dog into a lap, or to squeeze way too hard.  I've done it and stopped simply because it can be too much of a wildcard!

Probably the biggest thing I've learned is to make sure I keep control of the dog in ALL situations.  I've seen both adults and children WANT to grab that leash, and it can be disaster.  One time in a facility this woman had dementia and she just decided Foxy was HERS and she was leaving with him.  She was out of her chair with the speed of a rocket!

She wouldn't give me the leash, so I just reached down and unclipped his leash from his collar and looped MY key fob (which has one of those long neck straps on it over and thru his collar so instantly she was holding an empty leash.  

You never know what you're going to deal with next and I guess I've done pet therapy for like 30+ years and I've learned to avoid certain situations that can get snagged. 

There is something about a proud herder that makes them absolutely AWESOME at  pet therapy.  Neiko is going to be a star - I can see it already.  He's incredibly handsome and unusual with that gorgeous coat.  Just keep him "4 on the floor" and you'll be able to take him anywhere -- the elderly tend to LOVE the fluffy coats.  You'll get asked 999 times "how old is he?"  "Is he a boy or girl?" (yeah, just like that) but he'll be a favorite!!

Way to go, Neiko!  He DOES look proud of himself and Mom gets credit too for this achievement.  Very rewarding and you will end up feeling just as good as the people you visit!

awww!! Congrats Neiko!!!!

Way to go Jewlieee! That's so exciting. When you start therapy work with him you'll have to let us know how it goes! : )

I wish Pirate could be a therapy dog, but strangers just aren't his 'thing'.

Congratulations!!  That's terrific news, I'm sure Neiko's going to be a great therapy dog.  

Way to go Neiko & Julie! 

Our library has a very cool children's reading program that uses therapy dogs.  Something like that may be perfect for Neiko.