Community Chat

[dmod nj]

Dog is fine. I read that yesterday in a local paper.

[morgana]

Relief, thanks

[Bestdressed]

Didn't Rosie say it was a 6 month old therapy dog?  I thought puppies had to go through a training program to become a therapy dog.

I wonder if they are training the dog to become a therapy dog? Anyone know anything about it?

[stazgirl]

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@Bestdressed wrote:

Didn't Rosie say it was a 6 month old therapy dog?  I thought puppies had to go through a training program to become a therapy dog.

I wonder if they are training the dog to become a therapy dog? Anyone know anything about it?

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To be a true THERAPY dog they do, however, alot of mental health pts have "comfort" pets, The animals help keep them calm.  My autistic grandson has a "comfort cat" for a pet. His (the cat) name is Tuesday, because they found him as a stray kitten in some bushes outside the TUESDAY MORNING by their house. , It has been over a yr now, He will not let it out of his sight, really helps him to stay calm, gives him something to focus on.  His Dr has said it was one of the best choices they made for him.

[flickerbulb]

I have read a few recent stories where someone has a "comfort pet."

I guess I have had my own "comfort pets" for many years and did not know they had a specific name!

After a long day at work, I pet my little dog and she gives me great comfort.

Who knew!

[AnikaBrodie]

DH and I have had two certified therapy dogs.  Yes, there is an extensive training program the dogs and handlers must complete.  Following training, the dogs are tested by a certified evaluator and either approved/disapproved for certification based on test results in a number of areas.  From our experience Therapy Dogs International will not certify a dog for therapy until they are at least one year old.  Our dog training club in PA followed similar guidelines.

[Bestdressed]

@AnikaBrodie & @stazgirl ...Thanks for your replies.  I thought therapy dogs had extensive training... and puppies wouldn't qualify.

Rosie's dog probably is a comfort dog, just as stazgirl described I am sure they help out in many situations.

[Pearlee]

I posted that above on this very thread, also.

[debic]

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@Bestdressed wrote:

@AnikaBrodie & @stazgirl ...Thanks for your replies.  I thought therapy dogs had extensive training... and puppies wouldn't qualify.

Rosie's dog probably is a comfort dog, just as stazgirl described I am sure they help out in many situations.

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I've never heard of the phrase 'comfort dog',  but it certainly does fit.   Therapy is probably a generic name in this case.   Some bipolar people get extremely agitated and can lose control of their emotions.  I imagine a pet could ward that off a lot of time.    It was good she actually took the dog with her.