Pets as Therapy

[ArtyKitty]

I've just signed up for an application pack for my girl to become a P A T dog. She can do all the things you have to tick to request a pack, but I wondered if anyone had any experience of what happens next? Thanks!

That sounds interesting, love the idea of that. Let us know how u get on :) (sorry not v helpful!)

My dog's a PAT dog - you'll be contacted by the area coordinator who'll arrange a time for you and your dog to be assessed. It's usually somewhere like a garden centre cafe, somewhere where there'll be people (and food) but not crazily busy.

The assessment is pretty straightforward - we had to demonstrate loose lead walking; my dog had to take a treat gently from the assessor (he does this ludicrously carefully, it's very funny to watch as he sort of purses his lips to make sure his teeth are nowhere near your hand); the assessor will want to see how your dog reacts to sudden noises like a metal tray falling to the ground - being startled is fine, being terrified probably not - and they'll want to see that your dog doesn't jump up, paw, whine or bark for attention. At one point in our assessment a little boy toddled over to my dog and whacked him on the side (he was trying to stroke him rather clumsily) and my dog just turned to look at him, saw it was a very small child and wagged his tail gently - it wasn't part of the test but his reaction gave him extra brownie points!

It takes a little while to get the application processed as the charity is run by volunteers so don't worry if you don't hear immediately.

My dog spent some time being a reading dog at one of the local primary schools which he really enjoyed but we stopped after about 18 months as my work changed and my dad needed a lot more support on my days off. My dad's now in a nursing home so I take my dog with me when I go to visit and we also visit some of the other residents.

My dog definitely knows when he's 'working' - once the coat goes on, he's got his 'sensible' head on

That's so useful, thank you! I'm a teacher so the potential for having a colleague cover my class to allow me to do reading is so appealing. Plus visiting nurseries and care homes during my holidays would be so rewarding.

DOTTY, will post our progress as it (hopefully) happens!

After my dog passed the assessment, the local assessor intended to put us in touch with a care home or wherever wanted a therapy dog. However, she took ill and was unable to help, so I emailed headquarters and asked if anywhere local had requested pet therapy visits.
It turned out a care home near me was interested and the dog and I have been going there ever since.

I hope you enjoy it!

I'm really excited about it! I hope she passes!

My friend's dog is one and as somebody else said, she knows when she's working.
She does weekly hospital and care home visits. The dog is impeccably behaved for one so young.
I dog sit her and she goes feral when she is with me

Mine is only 7 and a bit months but this is something I had pondered about for when she's older. She's a giant breed though. Would that put them off? (Soft as butter mind!)

Pets as Therapy's website/Twitter feed is my go-to place when the world seems utterly dark and cruel. There's something about the patience and kindness of dogs, and the reactions they draw from vulnerable people that restores my faith in humanity. Big to those of you (and your well trained dogs!) who volunteer.