We had a terrific group of dogs and handlers attending today’s training workshop held at True Blue Dog Training in Haydenville, MA. A variety of breeds amongst them: a red Standard Poodle, a black & white Newfoundland, a blue belton English Setter, a Golden Retriever, and two Australian Labradoodles. Once again, the workshop was SOLD OUT way in advance!
It’s heartening to have session after session fill to capacity. People are seeking the necessary skills and techniques they need to teach their dogs before applying for therapy dog certification. To pass a therapy dog evaluation and become certified requires not only a dog with a friendly, outgoing personality (definitely the pre-requisite to all else), but, in addition, a certified therapy dog must be extremely well-trained and completely predictable. The people would choose to attend the workshops – then practice, practice, practice all they’ve been taught – are well on their way to passing their evaluation and becoming a certified therapy dog team.
I was delighted to learn that the woman who traveled the farthest this time to attend the workshop – she lives on Cape Cod – learned about my work with therapy dogs from reading the articles I write for the English Setter Association of America magazine. When she walked in the door with a handsome male English Setter named Dylan, my heart melted! The second farthest traveler today was from New Haven, CT. She brought her 8-months-old Poodle named Bella in order to start training her early. Bella kept right up there with the older dogs in class. Bella’s owner also brought along her daughter and granddaughter who posed as model patients enabling attendees to practice their techniques with folks using walkers and wheelchairs. Wonderful, especially, to have a young practice patient for the dogs to interact with.
I am certain we will soon have several new Bright Spots from today’s group out visiting in either a healthcare or educational environment – bringing comfort and caring to those who need it most…
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