St. Hubert's "Paws for People" Program

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

My goldendoodle Barley Barker and I recently got certified as a therapy pet team through St. Hubert's "Paws for People" program in Madison, NJ. I'm just curious: Is there anyone else in the Therapy Dog group who is certified through St. Hubert's?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I have wanted to do that forever but the timing of their program is never good for me. She already has her CGC and is certified through Bright n Beautiful but I still have to take their certification class.

Where will you be doing your therapy work? I would love to bring Samantha to Children's Specialized to work with those that need kids that need to exercise their arms - she is a ball obsessed doodle. I have taught her to place the ball in my hand instead of just dropping it at my feet.

Tell me about the program!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

just checked their site - they are filled with volunteers - no class being offered this summer. Maybe in the fall - so disappointed!

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

Hi Adrianne! Thank you so much for responding. I never actually took Barley to a therapy dog prep class. The reason for that is that most of testing requirements are the same as the CGC, which Barley received in April 2010. The main differences in our therapy test were that a crowd starts walking around you and your dog to see how your dog will react in a crowded situation. The other main differences in the test are that Barley was introduced to someone in a wheelchair, and someone walked by and tapped him with a crutch. To prepare him for those activities, I walked around in the house with crutches and Barley was exposed to a walker when my stepdad's mother visited. My guess is that if your dog has her CGC already, she's probably good to go!

 

I'm not sure if St. Hubert's offers a therapy training class. If they do, I missed it. The test is given quarterly. You mentioned that you got on St. Hubert's web site, which I was going to recommend to you. If you'd like to get in touch with the two head honchos to ask them about classes and/or the next exam, I can give you Joan's and Annie's email addresses. Did you find the list of facilities to visit? There are opportunities to visit nursing homes, libraries for "Read to the Dogs" programs, hospitals, schools, juvie centers, and psych institutes. You mentioned Children's Specialized. It sounds like Samantha would love that type of work. Once you get certified with St. Hubert's, you then need to get certified through the hospital and get a TB test. I haven't done any hospital work yet, so I don't know much about that (I'm a newbie.) Right now I'm mainly going to nursing homes and libraries. I did visit a psych institute once, but one of the patients tried to sit on Barley. I was able to stop the man in time before he put his full weight on my dog, but I could tell Barley was tense for the rest of the visit. I don't think that's the kind of facility for him. =( Overall, I have a lot of respect for St. Hubert's program. I think it's very professional. The therapy pets are covered under St. Hubert's insurance. They really stress being an advocate for your dog, and that your priority is your dog's health and safety. Also, they have periodic workshops and socials.

 

In case you want some experience before you take the exam, there are some nursing homes that don't require any therapy certification. You could check with local nursing homes in your area to get your feet wet and see if your pups like therapy work (which can be stressful for some dogs), and to get some practice for the exam. There is a place called Warren Haven in Oxford that just requires copies of your dog's rabies certificate and license, and for volunteers to fill out an application. I've also taken Barley to a nursing residence in eastern PA that only required rabies and license.

 

Well, let me know if there is any info you need or if there is any way I can help!=)