Tomorrow is going to be a big day! I could really use a lot of those wonderful good luck vibes and prayers from you wonderful TCS members!
I know I haven't posted as much as I normally do lately, but that's because I've been soo busy training Ranger. I have been preparing my Australian Shepherd, Ranger for nearly a year now to become a Certified Therapy Dog. Since I've owned him (1yr on April 3rd) he has passed Puppy, Intermediate, and Advanced obecience classes as well as Beginner Agility and Therapy Skills classes/workshops and his CGC test. We have trained daily since he was a baby and have the most amazing bond! He is currently enrolled in another Advanced Obedience class at a new facility and is about to begin Intermediate Agility as well as Rally Obedience. He is an amazing dog with the most incredable work-drive imaginable! He is a true people-pleaser and a hard worker.
If all goes well tomorrow at our test, Ranger and I will become a certified therapy team! We will assist not only in Animal Assisted Activities (such as petting/visiting groups of people, possibly giving seminars on animal safety/etc)...I believe that he would also be a good canidate for Animal Assisted Therapy (that helps patients with mental, physical, emotional, medical issues regain their lives and independance). While therapy dogs do make visits to group homes and things of that nature, they also can play a huge roll in physical therapy settings through helping patients gain larger ranges of motion (brushing the animal, throwing a ball, petting to ease stress, you name it). Therapy animals serve a wonderful purpose and are a terrific gift to the community. I pray we are able to use Ranger's sweet temperment and affinity towards people as an aid for others in our community. Our lives have been soo blessed; it would be wonderful to share a bit of our lives and blessings with others. I also would love for us to be a good ambassador for his breed since you do not see Australian Shepherds every day. Working together as a certified therapy team will allow us to accomplish all of this!
There is a large need for certified therapy animals and handlers throughout the country right now.That being said, the requirements for entry into this particular therapy program are quite strict due to safety precautions and the insurance policy that Delta Society places on each certified therapy animal. If all goes well tomorrow and he passes certification, we will also be applying to work with Midsouth Therapy Dogs (our local Delta Society affiliate) and also Intermountain Therapy Dogs (to do their R.E.A.D. program). Please pray we do well and that momma's nerves don't travel down the leash to Ranger!
We have practiced and prepared for months; now it's time to calm our nerves and give it our best effort! Also, keep the other teams in your prayers tomorrow as well; we have been training alongside several other handlers/dogs for the past few months and I know they are all as excited/nervous as Ranger and I are!
This is a 22 part skills/aptitude test and will take about 30 minutes. If you remember us this weekend, please send lots of nerve calming/obedient doggy vibes for us to pass! (Also, please pray that Ranger does not have any "accidents" while we are in the facility; that is an automatic dismissal) We appreicate the support and vibes; it really means a lot!
(I thought it would be best to post here since the vibes are for the both of us!)
(Also, stay tuned some potentially exciting news next week!!
)
If all goes well tomorrow at our test, Ranger and I will become a certified therapy team! We will assist not only in Animal Assisted Activities (such as petting/visiting groups of people, possibly giving seminars on animal safety/etc)...I believe that he would also be a good canidate for Animal Assisted Therapy (that helps patients with mental, physical, emotional, medical issues regain their lives and independance). While therapy dogs do make visits to group homes and things of that nature, they also can play a huge roll in physical therapy settings through helping patients gain larger ranges of motion (brushing the animal, throwing a ball, petting to ease stress, you name it). Therapy animals serve a wonderful purpose and are a terrific gift to the community. I pray we are able to use Ranger's sweet temperment and affinity towards people as an aid for others in our community. Our lives have been soo blessed; it would be wonderful to share a bit of our lives and blessings with others. I also would love for us to be a good ambassador for his breed since you do not see Australian Shepherds every day. Working together as a certified therapy team will allow us to accomplish all of this!
There is a large need for certified therapy animals and handlers throughout the country right now.That being said, the requirements for entry into this particular therapy program are quite strict due to safety precautions and the insurance policy that Delta Society places on each certified therapy animal. If all goes well tomorrow and he passes certification, we will also be applying to work with Midsouth Therapy Dogs (our local Delta Society affiliate) and also Intermountain Therapy Dogs (to do their R.E.A.D. program). Please pray we do well and that momma's nerves don't travel down the leash to Ranger!
We have practiced and prepared for months; now it's time to calm our nerves and give it our best effort! Also, keep the other teams in your prayers tomorrow as well; we have been training alongside several other handlers/dogs for the past few months and I know they are all as excited/nervous as Ranger and I are!
This is a 22 part skills/aptitude test and will take about 30 minutes. If you remember us this weekend, please send lots of nerve calming/obedient doggy vibes for us to pass! (Also, please pray that Ranger does not have any "accidents" while we are in the facility; that is an automatic dismissal) We appreicate the support and vibes; it really means a lot!
(I thought it would be best to post here since the vibes are for the both of us!)
(Also, stay tuned some potentially exciting news next week!!
