Scottie is a toy poodle. We visit many care centers. Scottie rides on the tray on a three wheel walker. Works very well because it puts him at eye level with most of the residents.
Being a former dementia patient I understand not being able to release your grip on something, so that was a really good suggestion, to use a second leash. Thank you.
Good tutorial. I had to stop going to a nursing home, because they wanted me to only visit the dining room! It just wasn't fair for the dog. plus som residents tried to feed her.
Hello this is Eduardo from FL. You're great speakers Monica and Amy, and have a fantastic voices. I like the PLEASE PET patch- just ordered one. This was a very helpful presentation. I do watch for PAW encouragement. If a visitor says SHAKE or PAW, I politely say "Oh sorry she's not allowed to do that..". it's always been accepted. My dog has specifically been trained NO SHAKE! This advocacy topic has been very challenging for me, in a different way. In some organizations we serve, some staff who manage or oversee our visits are NOT dog-friendly. That ranges from indifference as in "I don't care if there are dogs here or not" , to opposition like "I don't think dogs belong here at all". In that environment, it is a challenge to survive and continue visits, but so far we've managed to succeed with strategies like identifying and avoiding the opposition, or endearing ourselves to others who surround the dissent. We study and visit areas that love and appreciate us to try to solicit and earn only the best feedback. We also try to endear ourselves to authoritative staff- we've even promoted our visits to board members! If a naysayer does attempt to arbitrarily limit us (it's already happened), then we have help to remedy that. In one case, we were told we could not visit an area in which we'd been successful for years. I informed the staff in that area (who LOVE our visits) , and that same day, I was told "Oh new policy- you CAN visit there!"... No fighting, no drama, just encouraging others to advocate for our team. I also advocate for the pup when they award recognition at ceremonies , or badges, respectfully stressing that my dog is as much a volunteer as I. If I get a 2000 hour badge , then SHE should get one. If I get an award dinner, she should get one. I decline, if both of us are not welcome. Of COURSE we, as therapy dog owners, have a very special and close bond to our team mate, and must recognize that others may NOT be as endeared as we are. My experience has been the best we can do is to respectfully stand up for our team, and not allow anyone to disrespect us with dishonoring or arbitrarily prohibiting us- not for legitimate reasons; because they don't like dogs. Your word "advocacy" struck me , and I wanted to share my experiences. Love all you do for ATD Therapy Dog teams without you we'd be just pet owners! Eduardo
It can definitely be difficult working around those who do not appreciate the dogs (for whatever reasons that may be, allergies, fear, etc). I’m glad to hear that you are able to work around that while being empathetic to everyone’s feelings. ❤
When I visit a place by myself I always tell the people in charge that my dog comes first etc. They are always grateful we are there and never a problem.
We have teams that do a variety of visits with first responders. Some even do some crisis response work, coming into the stations after difficult calls to help them decompress. Others do preventative visits routinely to say hi to the dispatchers, firefighters, EMS, police officers, and more.
Can you help us with AIRPORT therapy? Many of our members have made many contacts with our local airport. Feedback is YES, we'd love to host TD visits, then nothing. Repeated attempts , no results. Can you advise of with a strategy to be welcomed there (MLB)? TY !
Airports can be hard. As someone who helped start an airport program in one location, I was denied multiple times at another airport. Unfortunately the contact person for the airport can be a big gatekeeper. I’m not sure I have any other suggestions, other than maybe trying for a different person at the airport. Another thought might also be the USO at your airport?
Excellent presentation. Lots of good ideas! Thank you.
Hello from Brevard County, Florida. I am a member of Space Coast Therapy Dogs.
Hello, watching from Port St John, FL.
Useful information. Thank you!
Very informative, thank you! Michele from Hudson Valley Paws
Scottie is a toy poodle. We visit many care centers. Scottie rides on the tray on a three wheel walker. Works very well because it puts him at eye level with most of the residents.
Hi from Rockledge, Florida
A wonderful tutorial - a great resource for everyone but espeically for new therapy teams! I will recommend to all those I work with! Thank you.
We are so glad to hear!
Brilliant! This is very helpful. 🙂
So glad to hear that!
Very good presentation w/ lots of important information. Thank you.
Being a former dementia patient I understand not being able to release your grip on something, so that was a really good suggestion, to use a second leash. Thank you.
I loved that suggestion!
Good tutorial. I had to stop going to a nursing home, because they wanted me to only visit the dining room! It just wasn't fair for the dog. plus som residents tried to feed her.
Thank you for putting your dog first!
Hello this is Eduardo from FL. You're great speakers Monica and Amy, and have a fantastic voices. I like the PLEASE PET patch- just ordered one. This was a very helpful presentation.
I do watch for PAW encouragement. If a visitor says SHAKE or PAW, I politely say "Oh sorry she's not allowed to do that..". it's always been accepted. My dog has specifically been trained NO SHAKE!
This advocacy topic has been very challenging for me, in a different way.
In some organizations we serve, some staff who manage or oversee our visits are NOT dog-friendly. That ranges from indifference as in "I don't care if there are dogs here or not" , to opposition like "I don't think dogs belong here at all". In that environment, it is a challenge to survive and continue visits, but so far we've managed to succeed with strategies like identifying and avoiding the opposition, or endearing ourselves to others who surround the dissent. We study and visit areas that love and appreciate us to try to solicit and earn only the best feedback.
We also try to endear ourselves to authoritative staff- we've even promoted our visits to board members!
If a naysayer does attempt to arbitrarily limit us (it's already happened), then we have help to remedy that. In one case, we were told we could not visit an area in which we'd been successful for years. I informed the staff in that area (who LOVE our visits) , and that same day, I was told "Oh new policy- you CAN visit there!"... No fighting, no drama, just encouraging others to advocate for our team.
I also advocate for the pup when they award recognition at ceremonies , or badges, respectfully stressing that my dog is as much a volunteer as I. If I get a 2000 hour badge , then SHE should get one. If I get an award dinner, she should get one. I decline, if both of us are not welcome.
Of COURSE we, as therapy dog owners, have a very special and close bond to our team mate, and must recognize that others may NOT be as endeared as we are. My experience has been the best we can do is to respectfully stand up for our team, and not allow anyone to disrespect us with dishonoring or arbitrarily prohibiting us- not for legitimate reasons; because they don't like dogs.
Your word "advocacy" struck me , and I wanted to share my experiences.
Love all you do for ATD Therapy Dog teams without you we'd be just pet owners!
Eduardo
It can definitely be difficult working around those who do not appreciate the dogs (for whatever reasons that may be, allergies, fear, etc). I’m glad to hear that you are able to work around that while being empathetic to everyone’s feelings. ❤
When I visit a place by myself I always tell the people in charge that my dog comes first etc. They are always grateful we are there and never a problem.
People definitely appreciate that we know our dogs and are willing to keep everyone safe by advocating for them.
Thank You! I always enjoy your reminders and tips.
We are so glad to hear that!
Can you explain the therapy dog visits with First Responders?
We have teams that do a variety of visits with first responders. Some even do some crisis response work, coming into the stations after difficult calls to help them decompress. Others do preventative visits routinely to say hi to the dispatchers, firefighters, EMS, police officers, and more.
Can you help us with AIRPORT therapy? Many of our members have made many contacts with our local airport. Feedback is YES, we'd love to host TD visits, then nothing. Repeated attempts , no results. Can you advise of with a strategy to be welcomed there (MLB)?
TY !
Airports can be hard. As someone who helped start an airport program in one location, I was denied multiple times at another airport. Unfortunately the contact person for the airport can be a big gatekeeper. I’m not sure I have any other suggestions, other than maybe trying for a different person at the airport. Another thought might also be the USO at your airport?