Therapy Work in Northern Virginia

[Keaka, Laurie, & Pono]

Pono and I would love to start preparing ourselves to pass a therapy dog test.  He is turning 1 in June and we've already passed the CGC Test.  

We're looking for anyone in Northern Virginia who has gone through the experience, with any therapy dog programs!  Any advice or suggestions would be helpful, as I don't even know where to start.  

Thanks,

Laurie & Pono

[BG and Gavin]

Pono is gorgeous.  I am sure he would bring a smile to anyone who meets him!  Here are the testing requirements for TDI which will give you a good place to start:  http://www.tdi-dog.org/images/TestingBrochure.pdf 

[Keaka, Laurie, & Pono]

Thanks so much!  I agree...he was made for the job! :-)  I'm guessing TDI is the way to go?

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

OMG!! What an adorrable picture!!!  Pono looks like he's smiling :)

 I'm not in Virginia, but.....

if you go onto the Pet Partner web site at    http://www.petpartners.org/document.doc?id=750    it should take you right  to a description of their evaluation.

 For the TDI evaluation requirements this site shoud take you to a brochure that describes the steps in their testing   http://www.tdi-dog.org/images/TestingBrochure.pdf

I hope this helps. Doing therapy work is one of the best experiences Fozzie and I share together.  Best of luck to you and Pono!!

[Keaka, Laurie, & Pono]

Thank you, I like to say this is a photo of me and my muppet!  Do you participate in both Pet Partner and TDI?  Would it make sense to start off with one organization?

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Fozzie and I are involved with Pet Partners.  I think TDI does not allow their teams to belong to both organizations.  It's personal preference which one you chose.  I have a friend who got me involved with Pet Partners when they were Delta Society.  There are some significant differences between the two groups so check them out and see which one fits you best.  

[Keaka, Laurie, & Pono]

Will do, thanks so much! What kind of work do you and Fozzie currently do with Pet Partners?

[charlotte bednarsh]

My dog Paz is a "Pet Partner" therapy dog.  I would contact Pet Partners and TDI to see which one is in your area.

[Keaka, Laurie, & Pono]

I will definitely do that! May I ask why you and Paz decided to go with Pet Partners?

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Monty is also under Pet Partners. I think that's what most hospitals in the area require. I would check at the places you would want to eventually visit, just to see if it makes any difference to them. Pono is adorable. I have to say that all therapy dogs are amazing, but doodles have this special cuteness in them that just makes people melt. Good luck to you and Pono!

[charlotte bednarsh]

Paz started basic obedience when he was very young, and his trainer is a certified Pet Partners evaluator, so it was a seamless transition to do all his therapy classes and so forth with Pet Partners.