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What is a Therapy Dog?  Therapy dogs are privately owned pets that visit patients in facilities where they can't be with their own pets. Usually these are nursing homes, hospitals, special care facilities, and others like this. Many animals can do therapy work, but dogs are the most common species used. WHAT KIND OF DOGS CAN BE THERAPY DOGS? Any dog that is well socialized and really likes people can do this work. They must be able to work as a team with their owner and must be healthy and clean. Breeds can vary from small to the giant breeds, all are welcome, as well as mixed breeds. The most important requirement is that they are happy and love people and have some basic obedience and manners.  WHERE ARE THEY NEEDED? Therapy dogs are used in many places and not all dogs enjoy all types of this work. Your dog may do better with kids or with seniors. Therapy dogs are used to help communicate with seniors in nursing homes. Often they have had pets and had to give up their own dog when they move to the nursing home. It can be wonderful for them to spend time with a therapy dog. Some people do not communicate with humans anymore, but will respond to a pet. WANT TO LEARN MORE? Volunterring your time to brighten someone's day is one of the most rewarding contributions you can make. Not only will you bring cheer to someone who will be grateful - you will come away with more than you imagined. Of course, you can do this alone and still be reqrded, but if you include your fox terrier, they joy is doubled, for you, your dog and the recipient of all this attention. They love just being invited along: visiting people is an excellent outlet for all of that energy that comes so naturally to them. I think we all know that the past decade has shown that pet therapy is a real tool for rehabilation for many medical problems - physical and emotional. You need not have an obedience trained dog, but certainly he should know basic commands and be willing to respond to your direction. He should be schooled to be calm around medical equipment (wheelchairs, IV tubing, pumps and loud metal carts, etc.) In my opinion, the command "leave it' is one of the most important. There are so many items on the floor and under beds & chairs that could hurt your dog. Make sure of this before you stat visiting. IMPORTANT TIPS 1. Have a well socialized pet who enjoys meeting strangers. 2. Put your pet's sofety first! Keep him away from anyone who might pinch or harm him. 3. His well-being is your responsiblity. Excercise well before entering and offer water when needed. 4. Check-in with the Activities Director or Floor Supervisor. They like to know that you are there and may have a person in mind to include on your visit. 5. Knock first and ask if a visit is welcome. Not everyone likes dogs. 6. Make each visit as close to the same as you can. Dogs like routine and will feel secure knowing the drill. 7. Keep visits short untuil you read your dog's response. Around one hour is a good starting point. 8. Always keep the leash on for everyone's protection. 9. Offer water, a treat and a walk before loading up for home. I do not include treats while I am visitng with my dog because he is much too food-oriented and is easily distracted. ABOUT THERAPY DOGS GROUPS Jayne Healy and her fox terrier "Tommy" write: We belong to Therapy Dogs, Inc. It offers insurance protection and says that you are serious about visiting. But it isn't always required. UP-to-date health records are usually asked for and any obedience credentials, even CGC, are looked on wit favor. We started visitnig by accident when a friend was in a nursing home recovering from surgery. We continued after she went home because the response was so warm and welcoming. When I brought my mother to live with us, "Tommy" knew exactly what to do! he loved having his very own "patient" and spent countless hours with her. She was comforted by his presence even if she sometimes thought he was her fox terrier from years ago. We are both getting older now and will begin a new visitng experience soon. We have volunteered with our local hsopice and will visit just one person for a hour, instead of 20-30. "Tommy" will be able to stretch out and nap, but his company will be just as welcomed.  HOW DO I JOIN? You do need to be willing to put time and training into this work. We strongly suggest that you join either the Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International (TDI). Both groups certify therapy dogs and help you prepare for this work.
Please go to these websites to learn much more about this work and to sign up with one of their programs. Most nursing homes and hospitals will require that you and your dog be certified with one of these groups.  STORIES of FOX TERRIER THERAPY DOGS Here are the stories of some of the fox terrier therapy dogs that we know about. If your dog is a Wire or Smooth Fox Terrier and you are doing therapy work, please contact us at:  Jayne Healy's deceased mother receiving smooth therapy. info@foxterrier.com STARTING IN THERAPY WORKFor more information on fox terriers as therapy dogs, please contact:
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