Izzy as a therapy dog

[IluvLucy]

What you are doing is great! There is no formal training for a therapy dog, just obedience training. To become certified, you need to pass a test, which basically just shows that you have control of your dog and that he/she will obey you. There is also a part of the test that shows your dog won't be frightened by loud noises or strange equipment like you might find at such a facility. My wife works for a place that takes care of dementia patients. They have two different locations and each location has a dog living right there at the facility. About a year ago, they retired one of the dogs because she was getting a bit grumpy towards the residents(she was an older dog). I took J.C. to visit them almost every week until they found another dog to live there. Now we just visit the local nursing home every week.

[Gruntsmom]

Originally Posted by boilerupking

not to get too sentimental, but i hope you know the time Izzy spent with that elderly woman was likely the bright spot of an otherwise lonely day. i firmly believe that small and random acts of love like the one you and your girl were the center of are the hinges of the universe, and more important than any large-scale, grand gestures. how lucky you are to be able to affect a complete strangers life by bringing a ray of sunlight named Izzy into her path. surely she will feel the warmth of that sunlight for a long time. and so will you, as it is impossible to spread love like that without spilling a bit of it onto yourself.

This is so very true!! Bless your heart for sharing Izzy and Gus!

[Slobberchops]

Izzy,you're an angel in a fur coat,this made that lady's day so special,keep up the great work sweetheart

[SkooterIsMe]

That's soo cute!! I love how dogs can make people happy just by being there!

One of my favorite quotes is "Whoever said money cant buy happiness forgot about puppies."

[auntthelm]

I am so proud of Izzy. Just a few weeks ago we were so worried about Izzy and now look at her bring joy and love to those seniors. sasmeow it is a wonderful thing that you are doing sharing your time and fur babies. The kindness you have shown is sometime rare in this world, thank you bringing happiness to others.

[sasmeow]

Originally Posted by IluvLucy

What you are doing is great! There is no formal training for a therapy dog, just obedience training. To become certified, you need to pass a test, which basically just shows that you have control of your dog and that he/she will obey you. There is also a part of the test that shows your dog won't be frightened by loud noises or strange equipment like you might find at such a facility. My wife works for a place that takes care of dementia patients. They have two different locations and each location has a dog living right there at the facility. About a year ago, they retired one of the dogs because she was getting a bit grumpy towards the residents(she was an older dog). I took J.C. to visit them almost every week until they found another dog to live there. Now we just visit the local nursing home every week.

Yah, sorry, I meant certified, not training..... used the wrong word. I know they have to go thru testing to become certified. She took 2 obedience classes, beginers and intermediate. I always wanted to get her certified, but never did. Then I just started taking her to my dads and they just have to have their shot records to come in.

Thats great that they have dogs where your wife works and great that your take your pup for visits. I wish they had a resident pet where my dad is. I told them I could donate one of my cats, lol, he would LOVE it there. I have taken him there too to visit and he did great.

[Shebby]

That was a wonderful picture. I would also like to thank you for taking the time to make someone who might not have had a reason to smile that day so happy. My grandmother was in hospice before she passed away and there was a lady that brought her dog in to see family. I told my grandmother that there was a dog out there and she got very excited and said well go bring it here lol. So I did as I was told. The lady was very nice about it. Well the look on her face when she saw the dog and got to pet her was something that I will never forget. So please know that you are doing something very special with your angel Izzy and I absolutely love you for it.

Michelle

[BoxerMom999]

You must be so proud of your good girl!

[IluvLucy]

Originally Posted by sasmeow

Yah, sorry, I meant certified, not training..... used the wrong word. I know they have to go thru testing to become certified. She took 2 obedience classes, beginers and intermediate. I always wanted to get her certified, but never did. Then I just started taking her to my dads and they just have to have their shot records to come in.

Thats great that they have dogs where your wife works and great that your take your pup for visits. I wish they had a resident pet where my dad is. I told them I could donate one of my cats, lol, he would LOVE it there. I have taken him there too to visit and he did great.

I have found that most nursing homes will allow pets to visit as long as they behave and are not worried about certification. The main advantages to volunteering through an organization like I do, is that 1) It may get you in some places that may not otherwise allow you to visit, and, 2) You are covered by an insurance policy should anything happen during a visit. A big plus these days when it seem like some people will file lawsuits at the drop of hat.

Funny you should mention cats! There are 3 of them that live at the nursing home where we visit every Saturday. J.C. doesn't like cats very much and there is one there that has no fear of him and will actually stalk him as we go from person to person visiting. She scratched his nose once because I didn't notice she was hiding under the chair of the person we were visiting! He absolutely hates that cat and is easily distracted when he knows it is nearby. It frustrates me because he gets distracted to the point where he won't pay any attention to the person we are visiting and it's really hard to get him back to focus on what he is supposed to be doing. I wish that cat would just leave him alone!

[sasmeow]

Originally Posted by zomo

I had an especially hard day at work and I was trying to keep up a positive attitude whilst everyone else were sniping at each other. I kept the picture in my mind of your sweet Izzy and wouldn't let it go because it warmed my heart every time I thought of it. Thank you for sharing this picture it helped me keep a smile on my face all day

You are very welcome. It makes me feel doubly good that it helps you and others too.