Raw Diet Means Disqualification

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Hi Everyone,

I just discovered that Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society) disallows dogs eating a raw diet from doing therapy work as part of their organization.  I have read their referenced supporting documentation, but was disappointed to learn this yesterday - the first day of my training with Charlotte during our wintering in Florida. 

Wally and I work as a team as part of Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts, and they have no diet requirements for participation.  

I am now planning on finishing the training with Charlotte while we are in Florida, and then will have her tested back in Boston for membership in Dog B.O.N.E.S.  

It would have been nice to belong to a national organization, so that we could do therapy work outside of Massachusetts.

I'm wondering what the members of this forum think about Pet Partners' policy.

Thanks.

[Debbi & Harley]

We are part of Therapy Dogs International (http://tdi-dog.org/) and Harley also eats raw - I havent heard of any restrictions on that - we have been part of the program almost 8 years now.  Hope that helps...

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Apparently, Delta Society's new restrictions began in May of 2010 and were phased in over a period of a month's time -- probably to allow owners who were interested in continuing with Delta to transition their dogs from a raw diet to a cooked one.  Since I would like to be part of a national program, I will investigate TDI, instead.  Once I get back home, I will probably have Charlotte tested for participation in our local therapy-dog association.  I understand that some organizations will not allow multiple memberships, though I am not sure why this would be the case.

[Debbi & Harley]

it is probably due to consistency of process and insurance purposes.  TDI provides insurance coverage for you and your dog while "working".

[BG and Gavin]

We are with TDI as well.  I know this is a small thing, but I like that TDI dogs wear a bandana instead of a vest - makes for a more exposed petting surface.  I would be curious to read Pet Partners supporting documentation on this issue and was wondering if you could provide it. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Raw Protein Diet Policy - Pet Partners

If you go to the link above, you will be able to read about their overall philosophy regarding raw feeding and therapy work, plus have access to their referenced articles that are shown on the right-hand side of the page.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks for the link.  I am not sure what to think.  I did not read all of the supporting documentation - too daunting - but I would think that if feeding raw posed a health issue to humans, it would show up in the homes of the people that are feeding raw.  We live in a world obsessed with risk management and sometimes people go way overboard.  I mean crossing the street poses a risk.