ravenau1 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Delta dogs can visit hospitals and nursing homes etc, have a read about it here http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/pet_partners.htm Wow what a great thing to do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerraNik Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Yeah I wouldn't fill out any forms yet... A lot of what you need to write about is the dog's temperament and how they deal with stress, etc. Being 6 1/2 months old that could change as she matures, so it's best to wait until she is 12 months right before you are going to get her tested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Do they have to love people? None of my dogs seem that thrilled by people. Mindy is excited initially but that quickly wears off. She is happy to sit quietly and be petted though when instructed to do so but I am the only one she will choose to snuggle up to. If she doesn't pass being a guide dog and is able to come back to us I would like to do some community work with her. She has a lovely nature, but isn't people obsessed. I got the feeling that Clover only tolerated people touching her. She was never aggressive and would let people stroke her but she never seemed to enjoy it and would sometimes sigh and stand up and walk away and then give me a really reproachful look. So i'm guessing she would not have been suitable as a therapy dog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerraNik Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Do they have to love people?None of my dogs seem that thrilled by people. Mindy is excited initially but that quickly wears off. She is happy to sit quietly and be petted though when instructed to do so but I am the only one she will choose to snuggle up to. If she doesn't pass being a guide dog and is able to come back to us I would like to do some community work with her. She has a lovely nature, but isn't people obsessed. I got the feeling that Clover only tolerated people touching her. She was never aggressive and would let people stroke her but she never seemed to enjoy it and would sometimes sigh and stand up and walk away and then give me a really reproachful look. So i'm guessing she would not have been suitable as a therapy dog! Do they have to love people? They don't... They shouldn't dislike people that's for sure, but being indifferent to people can sometimes be an asset. My Keeshond, Jedi is really indifferent to other people (besides certain chosen ones lol) which makes him a great dog to work with kids who are unsure or who are scared of dogs and for the elderly who don't want a boisterous dog around that makes them nervous in case they jump or step on their feet, etc. Jedi will just mosey around with me and pays little attention to the residents. He sits next to them and just hangs out and stares at me the entire time. If they want to pat him, they can pat him. If they don't pat him he doesn't care. He creates a really non-confrontational environment that allows others to make the decision about how they will interact with him. If an individual resident wants more interaction, they know that they can ask for a piece of food from me and I teach them how to get Jedi to do a few tricks. In saying that, I wouldn't ever think of using a dog who disliked being petted or was not comfortable with being in a situation like that. So it just depends on each individual dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussienot Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Anyone who might be interested in having their dog become a therapy dog can volunteer to be a helper at the next Delta evaluation day in your area. They are always in need of people to be "the crowd" and to help out in other ways on testing days. You can see what exercises are in the evaluation and see what the evaluator is looking for. You can also get ideas for practicing with your own dog before you test. It's a way of testing the waters without committing. Plus you'll get to meet the Delta volunteers in your area. You can find the details for the nearest Delta branch on their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Thanks Aussienot, I've just emailed my local branch and see what they say. I think the volunteering at one of the testing days is a great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dezzyno.1 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I have enrolled Dezzy into the Delta program....I too am waiting for the assessment day.....Dezzy passed his vet assessment and I have sent off all the paperwork a couple of weeks ago.....I belive TLC that you will probably go to the same assessment day as me in Geelong.....I know that a dog from Ballarat travels to Warrnambool to attend the hospital there and we are getting more and more places around Ballarat.....the only let down maybe is that because of Dezzy's breed some places may not let him in.....I believe that if he passes his assessment there shouldn't be a problem but the places that do let him in will be a bonus.....I am looking so forward to him passing and us attending hospitals, nursing homes etc and we are also going to try and get them into the special school here.....good luck at the assessment and if the same day I may even get to meet you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 A friend asked me to post a warning about how dangerous it is for a dog to use escalators. There is an old article about an incident here. Apparently there is a correct way to train dogs to use escalators but it should be undertaken by a professional. I think it's lovely to visit those in need with your dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc Posted July 23, 2010 Author Share Posted July 23, 2010 I have enrolled Dezzy into the Delta program....I too am waiting for the assessment day.....Dezzy passed his vet assessment and I have sent off all the paperwork a couple of weeks ago.....I belive TLC that you will probably go to the same assessment day as me in Geelong.....I know that a dog from Ballarat travels to Warrnambool to attend the hospital there and we are getting more and more places around Ballarat.....the only let down maybe is that because of Dezzy's breed some places may not let him in.....I believe that if he passes his assessment there shouldn't be a problem but the places that do let him in will be a bonus.....I am looking so forward to him passing and us attending hospitals, nursing homes etc and we are also going to try and get them into the special school here.....good luck at the assessment and if the same day I may even get to meet you Wow that will be great if we get to meet, more than likely it will definatley be the same assessment day. I'm hoping it will be September and not to much later. The hospital on board here hasn't been inducted vet and afaik there is no one visiting yet, we are still hoping to get at least one more facility around town. So many people have said the assessment is easy for the dogs to pass but I'm not getting my hopes up, just hoping at least one of my girls will pass. I will be proud of both of them but very proud of Tully if she passes as she has a wheely phobia that we have been working on soo fingers crossed. Good luck to you and Dezzy too and we may see you on the day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoilt lab lives here Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Ramses is a Delta Dog, he loves it. Although we didnt get a nursing home to visit but a unit of severely mentally and physically disabled people of various ages. Ramses loves it! He loves all the attention as the staff love him too. I remember waiting ages and ages for an assessment date and then waiting ages for a placement but its well worth the wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitzbabe Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 I am sure Lacy and Tully will be the ideal Delta Dogs. I tried the Pals with Sammy a few years back now but he wanted to kiss everyone so he didn't make it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc Posted July 23, 2010 Author Share Posted July 23, 2010 That's a bit of a concern with Lacy she is the only one of mine that is a licky dog, I have a friend who also has a very licky dog but she has taught him on visits no lick, so we have been practicing heaps the no lick. I'm hoping she will be fine as she is generally very well behaved and she will listen to my commands so fingers crossed! SLLH do you find with Ramses that the people that are severly handicapped are a bit unpredictable with their behaviour around him? My friend visits the a facility in Bacchuss Marsh and she has found a few of the patients have pinched and hit her dog, he has just taken it in his stride and is basically bomb proof, but if they are not used to it, it could be a concern. Mine have never had a harsh hand raised to them ever, I still don't think they would react just get a shock more than anything. Has anyone alreAdy doing Delta come across this and how did your dog react? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dezzyno.1 Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 It sounds like we will be at the same assessment day....I was told September as well....I believe they are getting someone in from interstate or overseas to do the assessments.....not totally sure though.....I am sure Tully will be fantastic and I hope Dezzy passes as well...he just loves people and kids...he will sit there all day if he had someone to pat him and talk to him....lol....hopefully will see you on assessment day....am looking forward to it but a little bit nervous as well....I dont know about being left with a stranger but I am sure Dezzy will take it in his stride as I am sure your dogs will as well....will be great to catch up with you if we are at the same assessment day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc Posted July 23, 2010 Author Share Posted July 23, 2010 Will definatley touch base a bit closer to the time, I will more than likely have another DOLer with me her name is Shannon (aka Mawson) she already has her dog assessed and has been visiting in Geelong occasionally for 2 years. The following week after the dogs assessment we have to attend the all day induction (providing the dogs pass of course ) Im getting a bit ahead of myself now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 (edited) trust me it's not very hard at all if your dog is socialised and dog friendly. They dont ask for perfect obedience. Two of my dogs used to do it but I dont anymore. Edited July 23, 2010 by Nekhbet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc Posted July 23, 2010 Author Share Posted July 23, 2010 trust me it's not very hard at all if your dog is socialised and dog friendly. They dont ask for perfect obedience. Two of my dogs used to do it but I dont anymore. Mmmm Tully is not always totally dog friendly she likes people better than dogs she is not what you would call agressive but she does not like other dogs in her face at all. I'll be glad when the assessment is over and done with and I can relax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoilt lab lives here Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Ramses is a licky dog and that is to our advantage as almost all of the residents cant use their arms /hands like normal people so I have to get Ramses to jump up on their wheelchairs. Often a lick of an exposed hand or foot is enough to brighten their day and Ramses loves licking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tez Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Best of luck to everyone participating. I'm sure you will all do very well. I would love to be involved but sadly Jane is not suitable. Loves dogs and people but too...er...explosive in her enthusiasim plus she's a bloody thief and will pinch any thing not nailed down. Gus, I think, would be great as he is a gentle sweet natured dog but he's only 5 and a half months old so too young to apply yet. I would certainly love to be a volunteer on the assessment day though...it would be a great experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerraNik Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 A friend asked me to post a warning about how dangerous it is for a dog to use escalators. There is an old article about an incident here. Apparently there is a correct way to train dogs to use escalators but it should be undertaken by a professional. I think it's lovely to visit those in need with your dogs Jedi loves the escalator... Not only does he not have to walk up stairs, but he gets to ride in my arms There's no way I'd risk it and even then when and where would I get the chance to even have the opportunity to train him for escalators. The only time we come across them in our Delta work is when we are visiting shopping centres. He's only 13kg, so carrying him is not a problem. Lifts on the other hand - Jedi has learned are treat-dispensing machines and runs right in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothieGirl Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 Good luck TLC. I'll be keen to hear about your progress and the process. I've been thinking that one day when I don't work quite as madly as I do now I wouldn't mind doing something like this. Not sure Bronte would pass though, she can be a bit of a nervous nellie. Might have to wait for a more chilled dog to join the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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