Viewing Single Post From: Pets As Therapy

Viewing Single Post From: Pets As Therapy
Tafia	Feb 13 2007, 05:18 PM
Total Gas Bag! Posts: 5,822 Group: Full Members Member #134 Joined: November 17, 2005	My eldest dog Boo was assessed to become a PAT dog at 2 years old and passed with flying colours too. However, due to the fact that members of the scheme have to submit to regular vacinations and my own personal feelings on over vaccination, she cannot work within the scheme. Having said that, she does visit an elderly neighbour of my mothers on a regular basis. We were even able to visit her regularly in hospital (armed with her qualification) were Boo would sit on Sybil's lap whilst she was pushed around in a wheelchair. Sybil's niece who travelled from the south coast of England every Saturday to visit her in hospital stopped us one day to meet the legendary Boo who gave her Aunt so much comfort on her visits. If anyone is thinking about taking part, take the next step and get in contact on the link above. It's a fairly straightforward examination - you need to demonstrate that you can control your dog in a relaxed fashion using a normal collar and lead (not head collars, harnesses or check chain) without pulling. Demonstrate control of dog on lead whilst holding a conversation. Demonstrate grooming of dogs back, chest, stomach and around tail with the dog remaining calm. The dog also needs to demonstrate calmness whilst being stroke and fondled by a Assessor. Dog to accept readily and equally to Assessor examining paws, ears, holding tail. Assessor will offer a small food treat which the dog should take gently. The assessor will also, without warning, drop an object out of sight of the dog which will make a noise. The dog should demonstrate steadiness of nature. This is an incredibly rewarding experience for us as owners to see the comfort and happiness our dogs can give. Terriers natural intelligence, size and sensitivity to their environment can make them ideally suited to this sort of work.


Pets As Therapy · Working dogs