Therapy Simulation Night

[Richard Crowe]

Holly's fourth night at Therapy Dog Prep School was a simulation night. There were volunteer actors playing a number of roles at seven stations around the training room. The various stations were designed to introduce the dog and handler to possible stressful situations in a variety of therapy venues. The simulations were designed as much to train the handler how to intervene in situations that might become stressful for the dog as to introduce the dog to the various situations.

I posted photos of the simulation night on my page.

Holly really doesn't like loud voices, loud noises like dropping pans or crutches or erratic behaviors but, worked through the various simulations quite well. Judy and I decided that Holly would best be suited for work in an adult orthopaedic venue rather than a situation where the patients or clients may act out with strange behaviors. I would like to bring Holly to the local Navy Hospitals so she could interact with the Navy and Marine Corps heroes who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Next week it is the real thing. Holly and her classmates will visit a local nursing home.