(no subject)
ok, so everyone needs a hobby, right? A passion of some sort. I'm sure y'all know my passion for horses will never die, but being unable to participate in my horse love whilst in college can be a major bummer. While I was at fredonia I distracted myself with racquetball. ECC and Buff State last semester it was running, and working out, but mostly running. Well, I hurt my foot back in March, and I'm tired of sitting around waiting for it to be better. I can walk, but running's still out of the question, even too much walking can make it hard to stand on it the next day!
So I started looking into something that's been on my mind for a while. I started looking into what steps I'd have to take to get my dog certified as a therapy dog, so we could go around visiting nursing homes, schools, and even hospitals...basically, anyone who's having a rough time that would get some kind of therapy from petting a dog and even talking to me.
First off, Belle has to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test. It consists of ten fairly simple tasks, mostly just good manners and basic obedience. No prob, Belle and I qualified for state fair back in high school. I'd just need to refresh her memory, give me a week. But...the one step I see a problem with is one where a strage dog on leash approaches us with a person, and Belle will have to remain calm. uh oh...so.... I enrolled Belle and myself in a traning program with the local group, and talked to the instructer letting her know exactly what my goals were and what our major obstacles are. We hope to re-socialize Belle, and teach her to relax around new dogs. Ever since she was attacked while we were out jogging she's been very insecure about strange dogs.
So. there it is, that's my project. wish me luck
Canine Good Citizen test is in December, if we pass that we go on to either one of the two major therapy dog groups in the US, if we pass their simple nonagression test then we get certified, and they cover us both with a million dollar insurance coverage. yay!
So I started looking into something that's been on my mind for a while. I started looking into what steps I'd have to take to get my dog certified as a therapy dog, so we could go around visiting nursing homes, schools, and even hospitals...basically, anyone who's having a rough time that would get some kind of therapy from petting a dog and even talking to me.
First off, Belle has to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test. It consists of ten fairly simple tasks, mostly just good manners and basic obedience. No prob, Belle and I qualified for state fair back in high school. I'd just need to refresh her memory, give me a week. But...the one step I see a problem with is one where a strage dog on leash approaches us with a person, and Belle will have to remain calm. uh oh...so.... I enrolled Belle and myself in a traning program with the local group, and talked to the instructer letting her know exactly what my goals were and what our major obstacles are. We hope to re-socialize Belle, and teach her to relax around new dogs. Ever since she was attacked while we were out jogging she's been very insecure about strange dogs.
So. there it is, that's my project. wish me luck
Canine Good Citizen test is in December, if we pass that we go on to either one of the two major therapy dog groups in the US, if we pass their simple nonagression test then we get certified, and they cover us both with a million dollar insurance coverage. yay!