Paws For People

[Therapy Dogs]

Does anyone do therapy work with this group? They are located in the DE, MD, PA and NJ. This is the group I would like to have Noah registered with eventually. It looks like you can/must test for both the CGC and therapy evaluation at the same time. He's only 6 months so I probably wouldn't test him until the end of summer or early fall.

Just curious to see if anyone works with this group. Thanks!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hi Jane,
I have really never heard of Paws for People in PA, and we do have one located here in Bethlehem so I did check it out and they look to be a great organization to be involved with, and also sponsered by the United Way. After the holidays I will look into them more also for Hannah, and possible Honey.
I had Hannah tested last year, we did not need the CGC with Therapy, we could do them individual. We did do both on the same day though as it was our choice. Both test are pretty much the same and covers alot of your basic obedience, except with the Therapy and use of the wheelchairs, and possible crutches. We also had a woman walking around us in high pitched squeaky voice, yelling "Nice Doggy" "Wow what a nice Doggy" that was more nerve racking to me than Hannah...lol, but is something you may face in a Nursing Home. When I tested my Rottie, Magic, we did not have to do the CGC with Therapy. I think Hannah could have passed at 7 months, but we waited till she was 1 and I knew we would do good with it. Put plates of food on the floor and don't let him eat it...hot dogs and such. Walk around the plates with him on the leash. We also had to do meet and greets, first with another person...than with them and another dog facing my dog. They also have to sit or lie down for 5 mins., they can't whine or pace back and forth, and they are with someone else, not you. Hope this helps you some to get Noah ready, if you have other questions please contact me anytime. Denise...Hannah&Honey

[Winnie's Dad]

I don't work with them, but I poked a bit around their website, and found this list:
http://sites.google.com/site/pawsforpeople/current-programs/WhereWe...

It looks like they have quite a list of facilities that they are visiting. If you live in that area, it would be good to join up with them, as you wouldn't have to do all of the ground work getting facilities lined up. Do ask them if passing their test and registering with them entitles you to some sort of umbrella liability coverage. (You get this with Delta Society and TDI, and maybe some other groups.) Looking at their test (look at STEX on the download page) it looks like it was modified from the Delta Society exam. They have basically added the mock visit at the end of the Delta exam, most everything is the same, except Delta will let you test on a Halti or Gentle leader too.

I didn't see an age requirement, but Delta won't let you test until the dog is one year old. In the meantime, try to expose Noah to as many good interactions as you can with ALL kinds of people. One of my favorite places was outside the public library. There's always a nice assortment of people, including some with medical equipment.

Good Luck!
Jack and Winnie