Taking a break from therapy visits...not renewing our license :(

[Therapy Dogs]

I'm feeling very sad right now that I've had to make the decision to no longer do therapy work with Maddy. My 50 hour work week just doesn't allow time for much else! This has been a decision that I ultimately knew I was going to have to make but I didn't realize how hard it would be... I would really love to start back up at some point in the future but I know it will be like starting from the beginning again. Has anyone else ever had to put canine therapy work on the back burner and then return to it sometime down the road?

[Eva]

It's a tough choice, but I went from weekly visits to every other week on Sundays, and it does help. Let's me feel like I am getting some time off for myself. With a busy summer schedule, you have to do what you can make time for. If it's feels like a burden, it's easier to cut back gradually. In Vegas, it's so terribly hot, I don't like having to take them out of their comfortable house, etc. So they get a little break also. Good luck, Eva

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Would reducing your visits to a more managable number work?  It would be a shame after all the hard work you both did to discontinue altogether.  Your doodle, you & the people you visit all benefit so much from the contact.

Like you, I work about a 50 hr work week in addition to seeing after elderly family members, attending as many events my 2 grandsons are envolved in and just everyday obligations of home.  It does get overwhelming sometimes and to step back a bit has been something I have had to do recently.  Zeke & I would miss "our people" too much to consider not visiting, besides I'm convinced that Zeke was born especially for this.

I do hope that you can find a balance that works for you & your doodle.  These dogs are such a blessing to share!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

During the Summer, I cut way back.....things are too busy.  I'll get back to it in the Fall.  I would not want to give up my certification though.  What organization are you affiliated with?  TDI allows this kind of flexibility.

[Adina P]

After having a baby there was no way I could make time to do therapy with Rosco.  So that has been put on the back burner indefinitely.  Especially now that I'm expecting #2.  I did, however, renew my registration...just in case something small came up.  In fact toward the end of this school year I tried to start something up at a local college during finals week, but didn't get any interest.  That would have worked out okay because I would have scheduled it in the evening after Natalie goes to bed--and I am in walking distance from the university.

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

Hi Nancy---I think Adina may have a good idea for you that's not so final...just renewing the license so that you could do visits if you wanted to and had the time.  Maybe that would lessen the sense of loss.

Sorry you are having to consider giving up something you clearly love.  Take care!

[Barbara and Jake]

Hi Nancy,

 

I have a therapy dog too and took a break from it for at least a year and a half. We moved and I just have not put the time back into finding another group. I did fill out an application today interestingly enough to do pet therapy at a facility in the town I now live in. I really don't believe you will have to start from the beginning with Maddy when you go back into it. I really think once a therapy dog -always a therapy dog! It is their wonderful gentle disposition that sets them apart from other dogs. I took Jake to my preschool classroom in June and he was wonderful with the kids! I am looking forward to getting him back to "work" again!

 

Barbara