SJA Therapy Dogs

Just a quick question, anyone foresee any issues with a gun dog partaking in the therapy dog program with St. Johns Ambulance?

The reason I ask, I am in the hospitals all the time and regularly see them there, as well as with DU and doing the shows, the dogs are usually there to, and I have wondered about it.

Today we were at the Great Canadian Kayak challenge, and were approached by a few of the therapy dogs and their handlers, and the head of the program here said she had been watching Maddy and I for quite awhile that morning, and she thought Maddy would make an excellent therapy dog.

She said she'd pass us right now if we wanted to do the test.

I said thank you and took a pamphlet, I don't know if I myself, would have time to do it, althought I'd like to, however my wife is very interested in doing it with Maddy.

I'm just not sure if there could be any ramifications for the duck dog (that may be an abusrd questions) but it's one I have.

Family member first.
Duck dog second.
Everything else third :)

I'm hoping maybe Kraka, 3 Black Dogs, Sharon, Burly, could chime in, and any others with experience in this.

Thanks for advance.

I can't imagine a problem. They are looking for a people friendly dog, that can withhold extreme exuberance, that is not going to be spooked by unusual behaviours or sounds. With a handler to match.
They will test the dog and handler together. Both must be certified.

My Rhodesian Ridgeback hunts birds and bunnies, tracks deer, herds sheep and races and lure courses with sight hounds. She also does therapy visits with very unpredictable children with autism spectrum disorder. Certified and/or titled in all. None of them has had a negative impact on any of the others that we can observe.
Most important is that she enjoys all of her activities.

I can't see there being any problems either. I have heard that dogs that do Schutzhund (protection/bite training)
training are not accepted as therapy dogs however, but don't quote me on that.

It sounds like a great opportunity for Maddy and your wife, TR.

We participated in the SJA program with two of our dogs who we hunted and ran hunt tests with. There were never any issues when they returned to the field after taking part in the program. If Maddy passes the test, she will have a great time .... The issue will be to control the amount of dog biscuits she gets as treats! The only reason we left the program was a move that put us too far away from a visiting facility .... The patients LOVE the weekly dog visits so you really have to be ready to commit the time for the visiting.

I think it's a great idea. Can't see it hurting the dog's desire for ducks in any way.

I found out when my JRT was 6 months old that he would not pass the test. LOL

I was outside at the nursing home visiting an old friend who loves dogs. Cole was fine with him.

A 90 year old came up and got in Cole's face and he barked nastily at her. I was shocked!!

Fortunately she wandered off laughing so I was relieved.

No Cole won't be going to the nursing home any more. :)

All of our dogs in the past were therapy dogs . They passed the test and in our area the hospital did not allow the dogs in but we visited Nursing homes for many years . We also visited the Mental Hospital in Penetanguishene. The dogs really liked the nursing homes and had favourite people . As we had visited the same place for 6 or 7 years it became hard for me . The dogs didn't notice but each time we went I dreaded to hear that another friend had passed away. The older people love the dogs to visit and tell us stories about their dogs when they were young.
When we had litters of puppies we had a wagon and took all the puppies. Sometimes it was hard to get the residents to give back the puppy they were holding . Besides St john's there is a group called Theraputic Paws . Their test is almost the same as St John's and they have Insurance coverage for all the dogs that visit . You will be rewarded everytime you visit the hospital, nursing home , Women's shelter or Handicap Center. Theraputic Paws also has dogs go into public schools and younger children who have reading difficulties and are afraid to read aloud are given time one on one to read to the dog . They are very brave as the dog lays beside them . It brings a smile when they show the dog the pictures that go with the story.
If you have time get involved.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, with the information provided, and after discussing it with my wife, we contacted SJA and will be going ahead with things.

My wife has a soft spot for children with special needs, as that is her background (and probably why she married me ;) ) so when she heard they bring the dogs to the centres she was sold. She doesn't thinks he could do the nursing homes etc, for reasons as to which you described Wood Witch, and that's where I'll step in and do that tour.

Looking forward to it.

ROFLMBO Your sense of humor kills me.

There are quite a few Small Munsterlanders that are certified therapy dogs in the US.
I am not sure what kind of problems are you asking about...

The therapy dog programmes are great just make sure that the one you becomes involved with is well insured. I know that the dogs involved are very stable but in this day and age you can never have too much insurance. Things do happen.

This is a great Idea Jason Maddy will be a great addition to the visiting dogs she has a great temperment of this type of work and it will not hurt her hunting skills at all.

I couldn't have placed her in a better home !

I have a golden I hunt and trial with and I used to take him to my mom's nursing home. He loved it and so gentle with the residents. We didn't work as part of a program just went in to visit. All we had to do was to have proof of vac. My guy got to know who would give him treats and pet him and would head straight for those rooms. It was a great experience for all, my mom got to participate in the conversations and my dog learned what it was to be around walkers, wheel chairs etc. If you have a gentle dog I wouldn't pass up the opportunity.
deb

I think it's a great idea. It's an ideal program for dogs with sound temperaments who don't spook easily. I especially like that your wife is sold on the idea. All too often, I hear of people saying how their spouse gets frustrated with the dog in the house. The person who hunts with the dog and who interacts with them most often probably isn't frustrated with the dog because the dog understands its place in the relationship/team. The spouse may not do anything with the dog and the dog winds up not regarding that other person as anything but another body. If your wife can become involved in the program and training Maddy, even better. Just make sure your commands don't overlap ;)

I'm so pleased she has fit in so well with your family. Looks like she was worth the long drive to 3 Black Dog's house to come pick her up! I still remember you making the plans to come down and meet her. Dythbringer was happy to give me the details on how the visit went =) Don't forget, you ever wind up relocating to our neck of the woods, you know how to find us! Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club would love to see you guys more often.

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Originally Posted by 3 black dogs

This is a great Idea Jason Maddy will be a great addition to the visiting dogs she has a great temperment of this type of work and it will not hurt her hunting skills at all.

I couldn't have placed her in a better home !

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Thanks Chris, I really appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by BurlyGirl

I think it's a great idea. It's an ideal program for dogs with sound temperaments who don't spook easily. I especially like that your wife is sold on the idea. All too often, I hear of people saying how their spouse gets frustrated with the dog in the house. The person who hunts with the dog and who interacts with them most often probably isn't frustrated with the dog because the dog understands its place in the relationship/team. The spouse may not do anything with the dog and the dog winds up not regarding that other person as anything but another body. If your wife can become involved in the program and training Maddy, even better. Just make sure your commands don't overlap ;)

I'm so pleased she has fit in so well with your family. Looks like she was worth the long drive to 3 Black Dog's house to come pick her up! I still remember you making the plans to come down and meet her. Dythbringer was happy to give me the details on how the visit went =) Don't forget, you ever wind up relocating to our neck of the woods, you know how to find us! Mountain Valley Retriever Training Club would love to see you guys more often.

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Great info and insight Alana, absolutely right on how the dog sees both of us, will certainly help strengthen the bond between her and my wife. And good advice in ensuring we're in sync with commands and expected behavior prior.

Deffinently worth the trip! and got to make new friends out of it as well, not everyday a family opens their doors and lets a complete internet stranger stay in their house, not to mention feed them an amazing dinner and pie!

Where has Dyth been anyway?

Next time I am down that way, we'll all get together again for some more wings and beers!

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Originally Posted by 3 black dogs

This is a great Idea Jason Maddy will be a great addition to the visiting dogs she has a great temperment of this type of work and it will not hurt her hunting skills at all.

I couldn't have placed her in a better home !

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After reading TR'S post about Maddy, from everyone's perspective, you have done a great job in her early training and socialization . :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

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Originally Posted by jaycee

After reading TR'S post about Maddy, from everyone's perspective, you have done a great job in her early training and socialization . :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

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Without a doubt Jaycee, I have no doubt the time in Chris and his wifes home not only set her on the right path, but lead her quite a ways down it as well.

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Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie

Deffinently worth the trip! and got to make new friends out of it as well, not everyday a family opens their doors and lets a complete internet stranger stay in their house, not to mention feed them an amazing dinner and pie!

Next time I am down that way, we'll all get together again for some more wings and beers!

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Mrs Dythbringer makes amazing desserts. I always get the text updates when her homemade banana cream pie is being featured. Dyth himself comes out training with us every once in a while. I've been showing his little girl how to throw the Go Bird. She's coming along =)

I met Maddy's littermate Nellie at a picnic trial that 3 Black Dogs had her at. While I could see she needed a lot of work, I really liked her. I almost said to just load her up and I'd put in the time (imagine me explaining that when I got home? "Whose young yellow is that?" "Um...mine now"). So glad both she and Maddy were placed in good homes, and Dyth and I got a wings buddy out of it!

Maddy had a bit of work done with her when I recived her but was in rough shape under weight and had a big gash on one of her ears. The person that had her did not take very good care of her. With a couple months of training we started to look for a home for her. Nellie was already placed into a hunting home and is now doing very well hunting 30-40 days a season.
The only other dog out of this litter was sold to a gentleman in the Ottawa area and a good friend of mine did the training on him and he is also a productive hunting partner.
We take great interest in the litters we take part in we did not whelp this litter only had the stud dog but jumped in when things werent going well. That is what responcible breeders do. It doesnt end when the pups leave the house.

Chris

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Originally Posted by 3 black dogs

Maddy had a bit of work done with her when I recived her but was in rough shape under weight and had a big gash on one of her ears. The person that had her did not take very good care of her. With a couple months of training we started to look for a home for her. Nellie was already placed into a hunting home and is now doing very well hunting 30-40 days a season.
The only other dog out of this litter was sold to a gentleman in the Ottawa area and a good friend of mine did the training on him and he is also a productive hunting partner.
We take great interest in the litters we take part in we did not whelp this litter only had the stud dog but jumped in when things werent going well. That is what responcible breeders do. It doesnt end when the pups leave the house.

Chris

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Well said Chris.

When we first met I still remember, as it has stuck clearly with me, when you said, if for whatever reason, it doesn't work out, you would like her back, even if it meant driving to Timmins to get her yourself.

Certainly made me feel good in my choice of who I was dealing with and left me with the warm and fuzzies, not to mention the post care you offered after the pickup, and the training tips, dvd, etc.

When it's time for that next dog, I truly hope you and pat are still in the game!

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Originally Posted by 3 black dogs

We take great interest in the litters we take part in we did not whelp this litter only had the stud dog but jumped in when things werent going well. That is what responcible breeders do. It doesnt end when the pups leave the house.

Chris

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Amen.

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Originally Posted by 3 black dogs

We take great interest in the litters we take part in we did not whelp this litter only had the stud dog but jumped in when things werent going well. That is what responcible breeders do. It doesnt end when the pups leave the house.
Chris

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So true!