Doodles that do Volunteer (pet Therapy and visitation)

[Leslie Bruce and Icky]

Have been doing volunteer work with BC Pets and Friends a non profit charity for eleven years. This visitation program has been offered in the greater Vancouver  area for 30 years.The  pet therapy or pet visitation program provides a team which consists of owner and pet which does visits to all major hospitals, care facilities, goup homes, cancer agency, plus many other support. We have over 200 visiting teams and have a list of over 250 facillities requesting visiting pet and owner teams. Pets are first screened for temperment and suitability of becoming a visiting animal and owner then attends an orientation session.  We ask owners to commit to one year of visiting as patients and residents quicky make these visits the highlights of their week.  Most of the volunteer animals are dogs, but we do have a few cats and a couple of rabbits which of course are equally loved.

My Doodle Icky..who is now two and has just starting his visiting career.  He is replacing my previous dog (spaniel setter cross) that had been with the program 8 years before he died...and I didn't think there would ever be a dog to replace him for temperment, sensitivity and love to be a visiting dog...so 10 months after I lost Polo - and missing a dog so much but having a husband with allergies and lung issues the only way possible would be a non shedder...so non shedding was really important but temperment was super important. We did some research and decided on a doodle. Icky was 7 weeks when we brought him home....and must admit the first two years were very trying at times and was questioning my choice...he was alway friendly but a total delinquent...my groomer kept assuring me that once he got to two things would be okay...and he was so right..Icky is now absolutely everything I could wish for in a therapy dog.  He is super friendly, even though he is rather large can be so gentle, gets along with every size and age of dog, Hasn't come across a two legged being he doesn't like baby to 100 year old. When doing visiting he makes everyone feel as it they are very special.

Icky has only recently began his visiting as a pet therapy dog with BC Pets and Friends but has proved himself very well.

 - a pilot project organized by the university to reduce stress for students during exams.. The university of British Columbia approached B.C Pets and Friends and we were thrilled to participate. We had several teams with animals and the students came and spent 30 - 45 minutes visiting with the pets...was a huge success.  He has started visiting at a seniors facility talk about Doodle Kisses..he is really good at this.  This week we are off to a high school in the area where students had to choose a charity- do research and prepare for presention. The 18th  for the group of students that  chose BC Pets and Friends as their charity. The team of students that wins along with the great marks will receive Five thousand dollars for that charity..they are a great group of kids and am sure they will give it their best shot. 

Am very passionate about positives that come out of Pet Therapy..so would really like to know about other people that might be involved with therapy or service doodles...I have been screening dogs for pet therapy for 6 years....and have screened several doodles and all but one has passed and that one had a great temperment but just needed to be taught acceptable social skills and basic commands..it was definitely not the dogs fault..

 

Would love to hear from you and where you are from and what type of volunteer work you do with your doodle.

Thanks  

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

My sister Andrea who lives in Vancouver and my nephew doodle Cobi are part of the same program and I posted about the visit to the University a couple of weeks ago!  (it's a small world!!!)  Great work.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Kudos to you for doing all this and for so long! that must feel great and you must be so proud! Good luck with your charity team!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Your program sounds wonderful, Leslie.  My older Doodle (mini) is TDI certified and we visit an Alzheimer's Facility.  The clients love seeing him, and he's great with all of them.  He loves attention...so this is perfect for him.  We've been "slacking" lately with lots of other things going on....this is a good reminder that I need to get back to my regular weekly schedule.  Thanks for your post, and please join the Therapy group.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Our Doodle Sophie is registered with Delta Society.  I visit once a week at our local hospital, twice a month at the local Veteran's Home and then once a month at a different hospital and two local nursing homes.  We also take our other Doodle Lucy with us to the Veteran's Home since my DH has retired and is available to go along.  Lucy is still in training mode which is why she doesn't get to go to all the other places.  Even though the girls are liter mates they are as different as night and day.  Sophie is the never met a stranger girl and Lucy is the more shy I have to warm up to you girl.  It has always been our hope that Lucy will be able to become certified by our just slowing warming her up to it, but at this point, I'm not so sure that will happen.  But that is ok. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

That's really interesting how they are different.

[Leslie Bruce and Icky]

Hi:  of course it's okay...after tons of screening dogs...this is certainly not uncommon...even though they have been raised the same way..they all have their own personalities.  and two beautiful girls I might add.