Sadie, the Therapy Dog

Sadie

People seem to come to Therapy Dog work through different channels and for different reasons.

When my husband and I married 36 years ago, our wedding gift to each other was a Cocker Spaniel puppy that we named "Gus". It didn't take long until we were a multi-dog household. All I had ever known as a kid was having dogs as pets. Jim and I had wonderful dogs with great personalities.

About 15 years ago, we were given a yellow Labrador puppy. Her owners couldn't handle her so they decided to "give her to Deb and Jim". Her name was Sadie. She was the most difficult dog we have ever owned.

Sadie and Debbie Ski Jorring

Her biggest problem was food aggression. Also, she was so hyperactive that her eyes were always dilated and I actually had to teach her that she could be still for a while. Of course, on the "up" side, she was never tired and could do things for a very long time. I taught her to Ski Jor, which is pulling a cross country skier. She loved it because she could run forever.

I looked for a dog training school and found Attaboy Dog Obedience in the yellow pages. I signed Sadie up and she excelled in obedience. The owner/operator told me about a local small therapy dog program called "Paws Hand Delivered". We tested for it and Sadie completed the test perfectly.

When you do have a therapy dog, it is important that you know your dog. The most important thing during your visits is your dog, his/her comfort, and safety. Therapy Dogs are not robots. Some don't like certain facilities, some don't like children, and some only want to visit when they feel like it. Even though Sadie was a therapy dog, the food aggression didn't disappear. If we were visiting and a patient asked to feed the dogs, we left the room immediately.

Sadie was an exceptional therapy dog. She would carefully step among cords and tubes to let someone pet her and then cautiously back out, never making a misstep. She would approach people slowly and make sure that nothing was disturbed during her visit. She amazed me when we visited the skilled nursing areas where the patients are seriously ill.

Sophie

By now, I was totally hooked on therapy dog work so we also joined a hospice program. Again, Sadie was quiet and soft when visiting people. And I had my new dog, Sophie, a Brussels Griffon, tested. Now I had two therapy dogs.

I had worked for many years in Human Services. Now I was impressed by how much I could help people by working through my dogs. The patients could talk about dogs they used to have and happier times they remembered. The softness of the dogs eased sore hands and tiny dogs could be held like children. When holding Sophie one evening, a lady said that it had been many years since she had held a dog.

Therapy Dog work takes you out of yourself. It's not about you. It is about the patient and your dog and you are the facilitater. And in coming outside of yourself, you actually gain more than you ever thought you could.

If you have a dog with good manners that interacts nicely with people, you may want to consider having your dog tested to be a Therapy Dog. There will be testing on June 16, 2012, at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park. You can also contact the Bark Park for information on what the test is like and what you need to know beforehand.

Sadie and Sophie are no longer with us. Now Bunny and Abu are my therapy dogs and Opie and Isaac are "in the wings" to become therapy dogs. This is something I want to do for a very long time.

Sadie

Debbie Myers

You also might be interested in:

• www.skijornow.com
• Therapy Dogs, Inc.

Life with Opie: Finding Opie

Opie looking his best for Basic Obedience
Graduation Day.

Opie is now one year old. 

He is a black and white Pit Bull/Labrador mix. His mother was named Oreo and was a black and white Pit Bull. His dad was a silly yellow Lab.


We found Opie after 4 days of whining in the tree line at the back of the property. We had looked for 4 days but he was hard to find because he was black and kept hiding from us. On the 4th day, hunger and fleas brought him to us. He was about 6 weeks old.

The "breeder" said we could keep him so our first order of business was to get him healthy. With his happy personality and his "I can do this" attitude, that didn't take long.

Opie recently graduated from Advanced Obedience. The thing to remember when you take Obedience classes is that they are your starting place. The pups don't leave all trained and ready for off leash activities. You still need to work with your dog regularly so that those new skills become routine.

In Opie's case, he was what I call a Winter Puppy. A lot of his puppyhood took place in the winter when it was hard to find groups of people to pet him and to socialize him. Because of his love of every person and every dog, he has some immature and rude behaviors because he isn't totally socialized.

That is our goal for this summer, to learn manners and to practice all his commands out in The World.
I'll keep you posted on his progress!

Life with Opie: A Dock Diver!

Opie the Swimmer

Opie loves the water. He learned to swim in our little pond before our Newfoundland puppy did.

At the Hot Diggity Dog event at the Bark Park on May 19, I took Opie with me. Ron Oswald and his Doberman, Ruby, were going to the pond so we joined them. Ruby was running into the pond and jumping into the water and Opie, with his dramatics, was crying, touching the water, and fussing. Eventually, he stepped in.

I threw Opie's bumper into the water a few feet and again, after the dramatics, he went in and got it. Then I threw it about 5 feet, then 8 feet and finally, Opie just leapt off the side of the pond into the water.

He LOVED it!! He was so excited. I threw it several times and Opie jumped into the water each time with such joy.

Then Ron said that I should try him on the dock. The Bark Park has an official Dock Diving dock with classes for beginners and advanced dogs.

I wasn't sure about this but I took Opie up on the dock and showed him the end of it with the drop and then threw his bumper. Off he went! And then he jumped off 4 more times. Opie had a wonderful day.

When we got home, Opie came to me several times in the evening and put his head on my lap as if to say "Thanks Mom. I had a great day." Going to the Bark Park for Opie is like going to Doggy Disney World.

Tips for Camping with Your Dog

It's time for Summer get-a-ways and family vacations.  If your vacation plans include camping with your dog along, here are some tips and links that you might find helpful!

Safety First 

• Make sure your dog's vaccinations are current and that you have adequate supplies of any medications he may need.  It's the great outdoors and the Fleas, Ticks and other biting insects will be plentiful, so preventative applications are going to help.  
• Put together a Doggie First Aid Kit with items like: ear & eye drops, tick tweezers, bandages, antiseptic, rubbing alcohol and poison absorb gel for pets.
• Take precautions in case your dog gets lost, keep identification on him.  Make sure your dog is tagged with contact information. at the very least.  Micro chipping or tattooing is a much better method as collars and tags can become damaged and lost.

Keeping Tabs on Your Dog

• Consider a "Play Pen" for your dog.  There are many options for folding wire pens to give your pooch room to play, yet keep them away from campfires, etc.
• Bring extra leashes and ropes.  If you are in a campground, you will be required to keep you dog on a leash.  You can also make a zip line tying a rope between two trees and suspending a leash from it.  *It is recommended to use a harness with the zip line, as your dog may pull and choke. NEVER tie your dog up with a choke or pinch collar on.

Food & Water

• Avoid upset stomachs by bringing plenty of your dog's regular food.  Make sure you have packed enough clean drinking water for everyone, including your dog.  Our dogs can get sick from drinking lake, stream or puddle water, so don't encourage it.  Bring a container to pour bottled water into if you are out hiking or playing.  Also, if you are getting lots of exercise from hiking, etc., you are building up an appetite and so is your dog.  He may need extra food to make up for all the fun you are having!

Bring Familiar Items for Sleeping and Play

• Having familiar toys and blanket/sleeping pad will help your dog feel better about being in a strange place.

Plenty of Exercise

• Exercise is a stress reliever for all of us, including our dogs.  Plus, the bonus of a well exercised dog...he's tired!  Get out and explore.  If you are camping in Western Crawford County, PA..come visit us at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park!

Need more information? These links just might make your tail wag!

• Your Dog in America's Campgrounds
• How to Camp with Your Dog
• Instructions for a "Trolley" System Zip Line  I couldn't find a direct link to instructions using a leash but, just make sure you slip one of the ropes ends through the leashes looped end before securing the rope to the tree.  I don't agree with chaining up dogs for any extended period of time, but this method will keep your dog safe while providing him with some room to move and enjoy his immediate environment.
• Hiking or Backpacking with your dog

Do you have some "Camping with Your Dog" tips to share? Post them in the comments!

Therapy Dog Testing in June!

Did you ever think about having a certified therapy dog?  It is without a doubt one of the most rewarding volunteering experience.  There are several therapy dog organizations available but the Conneaut Lake Bark Park is associated with Therapy Dogs Incorporated. 

One of our Paws Hand Delivered dogs during a visit.

Therapy dogs should be

• Friendly
• Social
• People oriented
• For more information check out the Bark Park website at www.conneautlakebarkpark.com
• Next testing date is June 16th during the Bark Park Canine Carnival

You also might find these links interesting:

• What makes a good therapy dog?
• Resume of a Therapy Dog

I Survived The 2012 Canine Carnival T-Shirt

Order your "I Survived The 2012 Canine Carnival T-shirt"

Help support the Conneaut Lake Bark Park and let all your friends know "I Survived The 2012 Canine Carnival"

• White Poly Cotton Blend T-Shirt
• Men's sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Payment is secure through PayPal

sizes

extra small$11.00 USD small$11.00 USD medium$11.00 USD large$11.00 USD x-large$11.00 USD 2xl$13.50 USD

For more information about the Conneaut Lake Bark Park and our events, contact Sue Anderson at petcem23@windstream.net

The Importance of Socializing Your Dog: Dogs Need Friends, Too

Copper & Henry at the
Conneaut Lake Bark Park 2012

Dogs need continued socialization throughout their lives.  Many dog owners, by attending training classes,  have taken the first step in socializing their dogs.  

With the Conneaut Lake Bark Park, owners have an opportunity to continue to provide opportunities for their dogs to socialize and play with other dogs of similar temperament and size, while providing a place where their canine companion can participate and play safely with other dogs. 

Conneaut Lake Bark Park Play Groups 

The Bark Park will work with pet owners and attempt to find groups of dogs that can play together.  The Bark Park encourages all owners to consider bringing their dog to the bark park and joining a play group. 

 At present we have a group that meets during the morning hours and another group that primarily meets in the late afternoon or week-ends.  Both of these groups regularly using the bark park have been the larger and sometimes the “crazier” dogs.  Dogs of all sizes and breeds can definitely benefit from regular play time with dogs of similar size and temperament. 

The Bark Park would like to work with all dog owners from puppies to older dogs to establish group play times at the park.  For more information about our Play Groups, contact Sue Anderson at petcem23@windstream.net

Need some help understanding how to socialize your dog?

Local Dog Trainer, Katara Peters, offers Puppy through Advanced Obedience Training.  Katara also  assists in Temperament Testing at the Bark Park.  We encourage you to enroll your dog in an obedience class in your area.  Interested in talking to Katara?  You can contact her at groovypooch@windstream.net.

Here are some helpful links:

• Socializing the Adult Dog
• Continuing Socialization for the Adolescent Dog
• Are They Having a Good Time
• Before You Go to the Dog Park

We welcome you and your dog to Come, Sit, Stay! at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park very soon!  Check out our 2012 Dog Friendly Events at our website http://www.conneautlakebarkpark.com/events.html.

~Sue Anderson