A Personal Journey to TDI (Therapy Dog International) Certification

[BG and Gavin]

I always thought that Gavin had a “gift.”  His temperament is simply awesome, he would not hurt a fly and he has demonstrated the ability to become very calm and really attend to people in need, including a person with a terminal condition, a grieving person and developmentally delayed persons.  However, he is a big robust guy and can be a little independent-minded at times (recall when he has a squirrel treed = 0, spotting another dog while on leash = I’m gonna try and get there!).  I did puppy class, beginner class and intermediate class.  His behaviour in the house was impeccable.  I could certainly get him to behave, but I was not a good trainer (I mean Adina good – systematic, precise, proofing).

Our one time trainer who had also boarded Gavin a couple of times said we were "good to go" and he would have no problem passing the test.  We were scheduled to go in the Fall of 2011.  I was not confident…not at all.  His testing was rescheduled once and when it had to be rescheduled again, I said I was not ready and would contact them when I was.  My idea of what I thought he should be (super calm, total focus on me, and a virtual obedience champion) he was not.  I became intrigued when Charlotte and Paz joined our group.  The work they were doing with child victims of violent crime was right up my alley and fit with my professional training.  Charley also convinced me that a therapy dog does not have to be low energy and an obedience champion, it is more about temperament, basic obedience and the “gift” that I recognized in Gavin. 

But I still needed work.  I needed to boost my confidence and get Gavin reliable on a flat collar.  So I took a demanding outdoor class in the dead of winter with other dogs in very public places.  It met my needs because it was “real life” training, it was fun and I did not have to be too precise.  Was he perfect at the end?  No, but he was pretty good. 

I rescheduled the test for this Spring.  I was very nervous.  Gavin still gets excited when he is in a new place or is around other dogs.  Prior to the test my DH took Gavin for a good run in the park to take a notch of energy out of him.  Charley says she exercises Paz before every visit for the same reason. 

We got to the testing facility early and I walked Gavin all around the grounds to sniff and relax (both of us).  Seems the two other owners testing their dogs had the same idea so Gavin got very excited and wanted to play with the others.  When I went to take him into the facility, he practically walked in on his back legs.  The tester tried to hand me the paper work but I couldn’t take a hand off the leash to accept it.  I recognized her from assisting an earlier training class I was in and she is a dyed in wool poodle lady.  “Oh, it’s a doodle” she said.  The tester’s husband said “just who is walking who?” I was crushed; we had blown it for sure.    

But we were there, so I squared my shoulders, found a chair, put Gavin in a down on a short leash and I took a few deep breaths.  Within 20 seconds Gavin totally relaxed (he even flipped to one hip).  After that, things went perfectly.  We tested last and watching the others, my confidence grew as I knew Gavin could do it better than either of them.   Our turn came to do the obedience stuff and Gavin was stellar.  When it came time for him to “visit” the three people seated in chairs, my heart soared.  He wagged his tail, licked their hands and rested his head in the lap of the tester’s husband while he told him what a nice boy he was.  We had passed!  Afterwards the tester confided that Gavin was a “natural.”  The difference was that he did not merely tolerate being petted but truly and joyfully engaged with the people.  She also said it was ok for him to be excited upon entry and that she was truly impressed with how quickly I got him settled. 

FYI when the tester filled in my paper work, for breed she put “Poodle Mix.”  My "Poodle Mix" will be three years old in August.

For more information about TDI testing requirements follow this link: http://www.tdi-dog.org/images/TestingBrochure.pdf

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Congratulations to you and Gavin!!! All that hard work paid off! You should be so proud! 

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Janie, I am very proud!

[BoomBoom]

Yay! Congrats :)

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Linette!

[Lynette Main]

I will be retiring in the spring and would love to get Shea involved in this training. He is big but very good with people.Isthere a  good classI should start with?

[BG and Gavin]

Hi Lynette.  I would start the basic obedience.  I think much of it is about the temperament of the dog and from there how well he responds to your direction.  Just keep working on the basics and gradually up the distraction level.  I found that Gavin was very situation specific and had to learn all of his commands and loose leash walking in each and every environment (in the home, at other's homes, in the park, downtown, around other dogs, around other people etc.) so exposure to all different situations was key.  Good luck!

[Traz, Karen & Dale]

Thank you for sharing your story.  Traz is 6 months old and we would like him to be a therapy dog.  I have already spoken with a lady that will help me accomplish this task when Traz is a little bit older.  We have to wait until Traz is 9 months to 1 year before she will evaluate him for her program.  If he passes the evaluation, he will be assigned to a local assisted care facility near our home.  In the meantime, we will continue his training preparing for this time.  Congratulations to you and Gavin for this wonderful accomplishment!

[BG and Gavin]

Thank you Karen.  We are now volunteering at a Stroke and Brain Injury Recovery Group and waiting on getting into our community college.  The work is very rewarding.  Best luck to you an Traz on meeting your goal!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I missed this post.  This is fantastic.Makes me want to train.  But, Spud would flunk the greeting: steal socks off the patient, steal a pillow, and try to play. But I can wish.... maybe when he is 8.   Looking forward to your post about his college visit.

[suzanne m. denman]

What a beautiful story. It sure gives me hope for Nellie. She is such a sweet girl, but let's face it, Doodles love to play!

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Suzanne!  Your comment made me go back and re-read (re-live) my story.  I remember exactly how good I felt!  We now have two gigs.  One is at the Stroke and Brain Injury Recovery Group where Gavin is so loved and that other is at the college where I work; Gavin visits staff and students on each campus and even in student residence.  It is SO much fun!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

BG, thanks for sharing the journey that you and Gavin took to get your TDI certification.  You must be so proud of him.  I'm been such a slacker lately about taking Guinness on his "visits"....this just gives me the little "kick in the pants" that I needed.