A visiting therapy dog team has an important job to do. It takes more than a friendly dog and a companion that wants to volunteer with a program. Learning the skills and techniques needed to do this job is important and makes the visiting experience so much more pleasant for both members of the therapy dog team and for those being visited.
Today’s group worked on advanced techniques. We reviewed the basics covered in the Beginners workshop and built on those, adding in special situations, like visiting someone with limited mobility and someone whose speech has been affected by a stroke. Learning to best position one’s dog to visit a bedridden patient was added to the skill set.
It’s important to remember that these workshops provide participants with the knowledge of how to visit effectively in a facility or program (using the nursing home as our model). The team needs to then take this knowledge and practice, just as in any regular training class. Important too, is to know that becoming adept at visiting as a team will improve as you learn on the job. Once certified, you will visit and try out the techniques in an actual facility or program and your expertise will develop over time.
I have been visiting for more than twenty years now. Seven of my own dogs have been therapy dogs. They have all been different and visit in different types of environments – places that suit their personalities. With each visit, I learn from the people we see ways in which we can enhance the visiting experience to make it as meaningful as possible.
Today’s group was terrific. An enthusiastic bunch of dogs and handlers. I wish them years of rewarding visits bringing comfort to those who need it most. To learn about therapy dog training and certification, visit the Bright Spot Therapy Dogs website.
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