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Wilson is now a certified therapy dog!
Topic Started: May 8 2010, 05:30 PM (459 Views)
kady05
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Just had to brag :innocent:

Wilson took his therapy dog test for Therapy Dogs International today and was a star! 8 dogs tested (3 'bully' breeds, including Wilson), and all but one (who would NOT do a sit/stay) passed, so it was a good day for everyone!

He also got his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) at the same time, so I killed two birds with one stone, which is awesome.

The therapy test is basically a more complicated CGC test, which involves 11 steps. The therapy test just adds in a few more things, such as being able to walk around medical equipment and people using wheelchairs, crutches, etc. Seeing as nothing phases Wilson, he did amazing with everything as far as that goes.

I was SO proud of him on his recall. There were dogs lining both sides of him (you can't see them on his right on the video), and he still made a bee line to me! Mind you, there are NO treats allowed for the test, and we had already done numerous other things so he knew that I didn't have any treats for him. Recall is one of his best things, but I was still impressed that he came so quickly!

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlkQJNEl1dk

So now that he's certified, I have to send off to get his 'license', then I'm free to find places I can take him. Unfortunately, many places won't accept Pit Bulls (or mixes), even if they're certified :( Our HUGE children's hospital, CHKD, is one.. which is a total bummer as I spent quite a bit of time there as a kid and Wilson LOVES kids. It's so sad that breed discrimination exists even after these dogs go through all the required testing and pass with flying colors. :sigh:

Anyway, just had to brag. If anyone is interested in testing (either CGC or Therapy dog) with their dog, feel free to ask me any questions, since I just did the test so I now know what to expect :) For anyone that's interested in reading about TDI (there are several different organizations that certify dogs), here's a link to their testing requirements page: http://www.tdi-dog.org/HowToJoin.aspx?Page=Testing+Requirements If you click on the first link you on the page, it'll take you to a .pdf file that outlines the steps of the test.

Now onto getting some obedience and/or Rally titles on him!
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buryinghill2
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Congratulations Kady05, great work for you and Wilson! :clap: :clap:

I hope you can find some great places for Wilson to visit. I agree, it is so sad about the breed discrimination. But that is one of your jobs with Wilson, to show as many people as possible what great dogs Pits are!

I work at a hospital, so I can attest to what a great job service dogs do, both for patients and employees. My days are long and stressful, and I always miss Cocoa terribly. I can't tell you how much it helps me to run into a service dog during my shift. It gives me the dog time that I need so badly, and instantly destresses me. One of our wonderful service dogs died recently. His name was Honor, he was a Great Pyr, and I absolutely loved him. It was a sad day for everyone at work when we heard.

Congratulations and keep up the good work!
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jillincolorado
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:clap: :clap: :clap: Great job you two!!! I enjoyed his video. Looks to be a happy-go-lucky dude.

I have to agree, it would have made my MONTH if I could have had a therapy dog visit me during my hospital stay. Honestly I never thought to ask them if they had access to any organizations.

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headlesshorseman
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:clap: :clap: GOOD JOB :clap: :clap:

HH :)
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incentive
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:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: CONGRATULATIONS :clap: :clap: :clap:
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Indy
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That's awesome! Go Wilson!!

I think Therapy dogs are fantastic, the power of animals is really incredible. On occasion some dogs come to the senior home where my grandma lives and she totally adores it. It's the highlight of her week when it's dog day.
And in stressful environments, I can only imagine how much a little puppy breath can do to change things (one of my coworkers brings his amazing Lab every day and I know when I'm having a crappy day, finding Lucy outside and getting a quick puppy kiss fixes a lot...and my job is relatively low stress!)
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RNB
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Congrats Kady!!!!! What a wonderful thing you are doing!! Each time my dad was in the hospital, a therapy dog came to visit every Thursday. This was in Sentara Va. Beach General. I'll be sure to tell Andi and let her see the video.....as I always do when she stops by.


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snaffle
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Congrats, Kady and Wilson!!!!!!!

Kady, you really inspired me when I got Zoey. I think of what you told me often. We started doggie class last week and the instructor has very similar ideas to what you told me - NILIF, etc.

Our first class was without dogs. Before class started, I mumbled that I had a pit bull mix. The instructor told me to say it loud and proud, so when class started and we introduced ourselves, I said 'I'm Lisa and I have a pit bull!' It was pretty funny.
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Yay Kady and Wilson!
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kady05
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snaffle
May 8 2010, 07:25 PM
Congrats, Kady and Wilson!!!!!!!

Kady, you really inspired me when I got Zoey. I think of what you told me often. We started doggie class last week and the instructor has very similar ideas to what you told me - NILIF, etc.

Our first class was without dogs. Before class started, I mumbled that I had a pit bull mix. The instructor told me to say it loud and proud, so when class started and we introduced ourselves, I said 'I'm Lisa and I have a pit bull!' It was pretty funny.
Oh that's great! Sounds like you have a good trainer too if they're doing NILIF, etc. :yes:

Glad to hear your said your breed proud, there is nothing wrong with owning one of these dogs as long as you're responsible and make sure your dog is a good 'citizen' (which I think should be everyone's goal for their dog, regardless of breed!). You will undoubtedly run into people that think you're nuts, and say harsh things; you really learn to get a backbone owning a Pit Bull.

Actually, before the test, me and a friend of mine who also has a Pit Bull (who looks much 'bullier' than Wilson does) were waiting in the A/C and a man and his son walked in to pick up their dog. Their dog was this little 10lb. fluffy thing (some kind of mix, no clue what is was), who the entire time we were in there was barking and snarling at everyone from his kennel. When the man walked in, he FLIPPED out when he saw Wilson & my friends dog, and said "Those dogs look vicious!" (as they both stood there wagging their tails and wanting to greet the guy) :rolleyes:

It was sad, because his views had obviously rubbed off on his kid, who was terrified to even walk in the door. Rhoda, the lady that owns the place, is the main person of the Pit Bull group I work with, so she gave the guy all the handouts she had on Pit Bulls to read. This guy was obviously a regular client, because as she handed him his dog, she said "Your dogs the one that's been growling and barking at everyone! The Pit Bulls haven't made a peep!" At the end of the convo, the kid actually came inside (and plastered himself against the door LOL), and I asked him if he wanted to pet Wilson. He was scared out of his mind, but he slowly reached his hand out and just touched Wilson's nose, and Wilson licked him, so it was a good step!

Just so sad to see how parents can sway their kids, and how the first thing out of this guys mouth was that my dog looks vicious :sigh: But it comes along with the territory, and it's exactly why I'm doing all of this with my dogs. I can't wait to do the test with Piper, as she's more people oriented than Wilson is (Wilson is so calm and mellow that people sometimes take it as he's ignoring them). 6 more months!
Edited by kady05, May 9 2010, 03:54 AM.
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kady05
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RNB
May 8 2010, 06:43 PM
Congrats Kady!!!!! What a wonderful thing you are doing!! Each time my dad was in the hospital, a therapy dog came to visit every Thursday. This was in Sentara Va. Beach General. I'll be sure to tell Andi and let her see the video.....as I always do when she stops by.


Good to hear Sentara has a therapy dog program. I know Chesapeake General does as well, there was actually a guy that was from there testing with his Lab yesterday. We all asked him if they allowed Pit Bulls, and he said he didn't know, so I will have to check into it. My sister in law works there in ICU so it'd be nice to be able to bring Wilson!
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Corey94
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Good job Kady and our favorite pinup, Wilson!! He appears to be MADE for this kind of thing, and good on ya' for taking the time and effort to follow through.... :clap:
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onwego
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Congrats Wilson!! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
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Witchy
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Congratulations Wilson and Kady!!! So cool that you are going to do therapy with them.

My mom has adopted out a few dogs to nursing homes and the residents fight over who gets to sleep with the dogs and brush and feed them.
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kady05
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Witchy
May 9 2010, 04:46 PM
Congratulations Wilson and Kady!!! So cool that you are going to do therapy with them.

My mom has adopted out a few dogs to nursing homes and the residents fight over who gets to sleep with the dogs and brush and feed them.
Thanks :) That's funny about your moms dogs. I think that every nursing home should have some kind of resident animal, so that's great!
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