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PHKeeper: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us at Dog Hobbyist, I'm very pleased to welcome Maryellen (with Rufus at her side no doubt) to our Ninth Annual Chat Week

PHKeeper: Maryellen and Rufus are with Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs in NJ. Rufus was born in a shelter, scheduled to die 2 days later, rescue came in and took the mother dog and 9 pups into foster care. Maryellen adopted Rufus at 2 months old, enrolled him in obedience classes at 3 months old, trained for a full year, then took the AKC CGC test, then the therapy test, then the TT test from the www.atts.org. They have been doing therapy for 3 years this april 2007. They visit the local hospital, 2 nursing homes, and she takes time off from work once a month during school for 1st graders to read books to him. Come join Maryellen and learn how you to can make a difference to others with your dog. Thank you so much for joining us Maryellen, and welcome

maryellen1: Hello All, Yes, Rufus is sitting here next to me! THank you for having me here tonight.

fireladie: How is it best to prepare for taking the certified test to become therapy dogs, when you want to train the dog yourself?

fireladie: I have two 2 year old poodle boys who already visit retirement homes, but want to become certified with them.

maryellen1: What you need to do is attend obedience classes so the dog learns to behave in front of other dogs and to be socialized. Basic training you can do yourself, like sit, come, down, heel. You have to expose the dog to different surroundings, stores, stairs, elevators, other people, sounds and smells. This way the dog is not afraid of all these things.

fireladie: Thank you.

maryellen1: If your two poodles are already visiting, then you just have to be certified by a therapy group.

PHKeeper: Maryellen how long does it take to train a dog for this job?

fireladie: okay thanks again :)

maryellen1: It usually takes any where from a few months to a year, depending on the dog and the age of the dog. Most people start when the dogs are puppies, to expose them to the many different sights and sounds and smells.

Skaket: How satisfying is is for you and your dog to do this work?

maryellen1: It'svery satisfing, when we are at the hospital the patients light up when a dog walks in to the room, and the nursing home people are so happy to have us there, you can tell they are very excited. Ilike it because Iam spending time with people who really need a good boost.

Skaket: Thak you. I've taken my Shih Tzu to a nursing home and the residents just loved her. She's not a trained dog however.

PHBully: Are current vaccinations required or will they accept titer testing?

maryellen1: Most therapy groups are now accepting titers, the group I deal with was the first to accept titers. Rufus is titered every year for his therapy work. ga

spidermom_nr: Titers for what?

fireladie: Iis there any certain trait that a dog displays when you meet them that tells you that this dog is fit to be a therapy dog? A certain light in there eye?

maryellen1: Titers are a blood test taken to see if the vaccine antibodies are still active in the dogs body instead of giving vaccines.

maryellen1: Most dogs are calm, loving with people, and that is the first thing you look for.

maryellen1: A light in the dogs eye? yes, some dogs light up when they see people, those dogs are usually excellent for therapy work.

Deerhounds: What are your biggest obstacles with getting Rufus out there as a therapy dog?

maryellen1: In the beginning people were afraid of him, so Idressed him up in outfits to soften his image. People love a dog wearing a baseball outfit or shorts.

Deerhounds: Why were they afraid? I have really big dogs and people are afraid of them, too.

maryellen1: Because he is a dark dog, and he loves to stare at people right in the eyes, but its a loving stare.

Deerhounds: Thank you.

Leanne_nr: I'm sorry if you already said this, but I was not here at the start... what organization do you recommend for certification?

maryellen1: There are 3 groups around the us, they are www.golden-dogs.org (Bright and Beautiful) www.tdi-dog.org (Therapy Dogs INternational) and www.deltasociety.org (Delta Dogs). they are the 3 largest groups out there. There are probably local ones in most states too.

PHKeeper: Do dogs get burnt out doing this work?

maryellen1: Sometimes, when they get older sometimes they can't handle it. its stressful in the beginning, so you have to make it fun for the dog. You can tell if the dog doesn't like it, they wont want to go into the building, or wont interact much with the patients, or want to leave the building. You have to watch your dog for signs he is not having fun anymore.

diana_nr: I apologize as well for not being here at the beginning, but what is the easiest way to get involved in this....also, are you allowed to go w/ a therapy dog (train him and do all certifications with him) even if he is not your dog (my boyfriends dog seems perfect for this but he does not have the time).

maryellen1: The easiest way to get involved is to see if the dog wants to do therapy and is a candidate, usually a dog trainer can guide you in the right direction, thats what my trainer did, she told me with Rufus' calm behavior he would be great for therapy. If you train, get certified, and do all the work yes you can be the handler for the dog. However, your boyfriend can NOT take the dog unless he is tested too.

diana_nr: Thank you.

maryellen1: You're welcome.

spidermom_nr: I have a boston terrier and I am hearing impaired. The dog naturally "hears" for me to warn me of things. but is there an organiz. that I could get some guidance on how to train the dog to do more specific hearing tasks for me?

maryellen1: Like as a service dog? Yes, there are service dog organizations in most states, if you seach it on MSN you can find one close to you.

spidermom_nr: Thank you

PHCatByte: I was going to ask that, maryellen--what is the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog?

maryellen1: Atherapy dog can go to hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, schools, rehabs to see patients. A service dog goes with its owner to stores, malls, etc to help the owner walk, pick up things, etc. They are two separate tests, the service dog test is much harder and the dog has to train for longer.

PHKeeper: Do therapy groups work with all sizes and breeds of dogs?

maryellen1: Yes, all sizes of dogs can do therapy. Rufus and I go with a woman with a 138 lb gold rush golden retriever, and a 20 lb schnauzer mix. As long as the dog can get along with other dogs size doesn't matter. All breeds of dogs are allowed to do therapy as long as they pass the therapy test, and all dogs now have to pass the www.akc.org CGC test as well.

PHKeeper: Thank you that is great

PHGuido: What is the hardest part of going from training to do therapy work to actually doing it?

maryellen1: The hardest part is the first few visits. The dog and you get stressed just being at the hospital or nursing home and some nursing homes are so sad that its hard to handle. I did one nursing home that was so sad I couldn't go back. Rufus was very depressed when we left, and Istarted crying. I just couldnt handle that particular one. When you are training you are in a dog class school, when you go to the hospital, its VERY emotional when a patient starts crying because they are happy to see you.

fireladie: What is rufuses favorite part about being a service dog?

maryellen1: Rufus is a therapy dog, he hasn't been trained for service work yet. His favorite part is getting the pets and kisses and hugs from the patients, seniors, and children.

fireladie: oh lol... my mistake

PHBully: So if they can't pass the CGC, they can''t be a therapy dog? Mine can, all but the staying with a friendly stranger for 3 mins...they will pull on the leash to go with me...but I have a wonderful little Staffy Bull who would make a great therapy dog.

maryellen1: Some therapy groups want the CGC done, some don't need the CGC . The 3 major therapy groups also give the CGC when they do the therapy test, so sometimes the dog can pass the therapy test and fail the CGC, it depends on the therapy group and what they want for requirements.

PHKeeper: Are there certain breeds that do well with therapy that people would not expect?

maryellen1: Yes, there are certain breeds that excel at therapy work that the public would not expect. Dobermans, rottweilers, pitbulls, great danes are usually the ones that people cant believe do therapy work. We had a leonberger doing therapy work at the hospital for a few months that people were shocked that he was doing it.

Skaket: Do you find that most nursing homes and hospitals are open and welcoming to therapy dog visits?

maryellen1: Yes, mostly the nursing homes...the hospitals are worried about germs, so they are more careful. Like at the hospital where we go we are only allowed in mental health and rehab. we are not allowed to visit the regular patients and children, I have however brought rufus to the heart section when my dad would be in the hospital and visit patients there. The nurses were fine with it.

maryellen1: The elementary schools are now being more open to them too.

PHCatByte: maryellen, to go back to something you said earlier--do you, as handlers, get any training in how to handle the more emotional aspects of the work...so that YOU don't burn out?

maryellen1: Nope, we dont get any training for the emotional part, either you can handle it or you can't. The one place Ii couldn't handle was mostly alzheimers, I just couldnt handle that. The therapy groups should train the handlers for those situations. Some of them are now giving classes for the handlers to take before the dog takes the test, but its different when you are in a class vs. a real nursing home or hospital.

PHCatByte: Definitely sounds like it'd be a good idea, maryellen. thanks!

maryellen1: So that I dont burn out I only go to the places I have been for the past 3 years, its fun, the people are all of solid mind, and are so grateful for us coming.

PHKeeper: Do they have any grooming requirements for visits ?

maryellen1: Yes, the dogs must have short nails, their coat must be brushed so that they are not shedding, and you can't put any flea/tick meds on the dog before the visit, adn the dog has to smell nice. That is all that is required.

PHGuido: Touching back on breeds, do you see more purebreds, mixed breeds or equal numbers out doing therapy work?

maryellen1: I see alot of purebreds more so doing therapy, then the mixed breeds, we have a few mixed breeds when we do therapy, but most are purebreds.

Deerhounds: Do therapy dogs ever visit people who are homebound, or just to institutions?

maryellen1: Therapy dogs can go where ever they are invited. you can go to institutions, or if you know homebound people that will allow a dog in the home you can go there too.

Leanne_nr: What is the most dramatic response you've seen a therapy dog visit you've made?

maryellen1: We were at the hospital once, and a young man in the mental ward was very emotional and upset, Rufus went over to him, jumped in his lap, and the young man immediately calmed down to the point he napped with Rufus on his lap for 45 minutes. Another time Rufus got a senior who didn't talk to talk by visiting.

Leanne_nr: Those are my favorite types of things I like to hear about therapy dogs, thank you

maryellen1: He has a knack for people, he will say hi to everyone, but then pick one person who needs him most and stay with that person the entire visit.

Skaket: Do you have to carry any particular type of insurance when doing this service?

maryellen1: The therapy group provides the insurance needed to do visits. as long as your membership is valid, you are covered by the group insurance.

Deerhounds: Do you see more response from children, or seniors?

maryellen1: Usually from children, cause a dog is in school.

Deerhounds: How do kids usually respond?

maryellen1: Kids usually respond by yelling hey its a dog!! And running up to the dog and trying to hug the dog. Some kids just get all excited and yell.

PHKeeper: What does Rufus like to do on his day off?

maryellen1: He loves to lounge on the couch, or is under the covers in the bed.

PHKeeper: No playing?

maryellen1: Not really, he is more of a slug then an active dog. He will play for maybe 20 minutes with my german shep, but he prefers couch time afterwards. He is a very lazy dog.

fireladie: How often do you visit places with therapy dogs?

maryellen1: I go to the local hospital every Saturday, one nursing home 2 times a month, the other nursing home once a month, and school is once a month for 2 1/2 hours during the school year.

PHGuido: I may have missed this prior, but what breed is Rufus?

maryellen1: Rufus is a pitbull mix. We dont know what he is mixed with, but his mother is a pitbull.

PHCatByte: Rufus, do you have anything to add to this discussion so far?

maryellen1: Woof, Woof. Ilove everyone.

maryellen1: PS I want a cookie for all this typing.

PHCatByte: Thank you, Rufus!

PHKeeper: Is it an emotionally difficult job for you sometimes?

maryellen1: Not really, since I don't go to very depressing places it's more upbeat for me. The only time it bothers me is when someone is at the place we are visitng who was dumped by their kids, that bothers me.

Skaket: Are your visits to schools limited to certain grades?

maryellen1: No the school has the dogs visit every grade, (except high school ).

Skaket: Thank you.

maryellen1: Rufus this year deals with 1st graders with reading disabilities, last year we had the 2nd graders.

PHKeeper: Why not High Schools

maryellen1: I think they figure that high school kids don't need a dog to help them read. It's stupid, the dogs should visit every grade even high school kids. I guess the high schools don't think a therapy dog could visit maybe.

spidermom_nr: Do any of the facilities give you trouble when they find out Rufus is Pit bull? Are they afraid to have him around the kids, even tho he is certified?

maryellen1: In the beginning the only place I had a problem was at school, but they just didnt want me to say what breed Rufus was as the program was new, and they wanted Rufus to be there for a while before telling anyone he is a pitbull mix, as the school didn't want any parents shooting the program down. Now that this is our 2nd year at school, all the kids and teachers know what kind of dog he is as the kids bring home pictures of him and tell their folks. The woman who runs the program wanted to meet Rufus before we started, which was fine by me, I totally understood. The entire staff love him, which is good.

maryellen1: The woman who runs the mental health program loves rufus, but is afraid and doesn't trust other pitbulls, so she is the only one per say.

fireladie: Is therapy work more rewarding for you or for Rufus?

maryellen1: Hmm...that's a tough one, I think its even, rewarding for me to put joy on patients' faces, and rewarding for Rufus as he gets to cuddle with everyone. I have an album www.imageevent.com/princess21 that has pictures of rufus doing therapy work so you can see what it is about.

spidermom_nr: Maryellen, thank you for a most interesting chat. Give rufus some scratches from us to

fireladie: Thank you!!!

maryellen1: Thank you everyone for tonights chat, Rufus says thank you too!!

PHKeeper: On behalf of Doghobbyist.com, Jeff B, and myself, I want to take a moment to thank Maryellen & Rufus for being part of our chat week. Maryellen, thanks for taking the time out to chat with us on therapy work! And Rufus thank you for being so handsome!

PHCatByte: Oh, great, will have to go see the photos! thanks, maryellen, for spending some time with us!

maryellen1: Rufus says thank you very much!!! And I say thank you for having me here.

PHBully: thank you for joining us and Rufus sounds like a wonderful dog

PHKeeper: Maryellen thank you for sharing all that information and knowledge

PHCatByte: ::::hands rufus a whole bag of cookies:::::

maryellen1: Anytime, I am glad to share what i know.

maryellen1: Rufus perked up with the cookie comment.

PHCatByte: And rufus, you type very well for a dog!

PHKeeper: Maryellen hope you wil join us again.

maryellen1: Also, if you go on www.wallacethepitbull.com under myths, there is a video of Rufus with a senior

maryellen1: I would love to come back and chat anytime!!