Therapy dogs?

[TwyfordM]

I'm thinking this might be a good idea with Miek, he's such a sensitive soul to peoples emotions and actively wants to cheer you up. Very easy to train, teeny etc.

Rodney ... maybe. He's very sweet but very enthusiastic at the mo (still a puppy) I'm hoping with time and age he will calm down a bit

What sort of training/insurance/certification is needed?
Any downsides?

 

[FieldOrnaments]

The main organisation that does it - or at least the one people I know have used - is Pets as Therapy (PAT).
https://petsastherapy.org/information/for-volunteers

Good luck, such a fabulous and selfless thing to do - I have a friend who takes her newfie into hospitals and the smiles and joy he brings are so beautiful to see.

 

[Annette4]

I volunteer through Therapy Dpgs Nationwide with Fizz and volunteered in the past with PAT. We do regular visits to a care home and one off events.

No downsides as such but I do find it hard when we lose out favourite resident's

No specific training needed but they do have to pass a behaviour assessment. It's not onerous just walking on a lead without towing you, recovering well from loud noises, allowing you to get a hold of theor collar quickly, being touched all over etc. You're covered by the organisations insurance but need to follow the terms. I can't remember PATs but for example we have to be with a member of staff for wherever we are visiting in order to be covered.

 

[satinbaze]

I recently heard about dogs providing support to emergency service staff. They visit police control centres etc to help staff when they have had a particularly stressful time.

Oscar Kilo 9: Wellbeing and trauma support dogs | Oscar Kilo

Oscar Kilo is the home of the National Police Wellbeing Service and brings assessment, learning and conversation about emergency services wellbeing in the UK into one place.

www.oscarkilo.org.uk

 

[druid]

Out of interest are raw fed dogs still banned by PATs/similar groups?

 

[MurphysMinder]

Out of interest are raw fed dogs still banned by PATs/similar groups?

I think so yes.

 

[druid]

I think so yes.

Thanks

 

[gunnergundog]

Out of interest are raw fed dogs still banned by PATs/similar groups?

It was at this stage that I stopped doing PAT with my oldies. Also, they insisted on annual vaccinations - I had a dog that had done PAT for three years but for various reasons my vet was no longer willing to give him a live vaccine.....that was a deal breaker.

 

[skinnydipper]

When I looked into it for the big girl, they wouldn't accept raw fed dogs. I couldn't see their point when you think dogs give themselves a wash, where they shove their snouts and what they would pick up and eat when they are out given half a chance.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

I think the not allowing raw fed animals is a valid point though because they can't police where people source their raw food, and it's specifically a salmonella concern. If dogs themselves and their habits were the concern there would be medical advice advising people not to own dogs. It's a small risk, but still present.

 

[skinnydipper]

I think the not allowing raw fed animals is a valid point though because they can't police where people source their raw food, and it's specifically a salmonella concern. If dogs themselves and their habits were the concern there would be medical advice advising people not to own dogs. It's a small risk, but still present.

I thought we were talking about vulnerable people, like the sick and elderly that PAT dogs visit. Not the general population.

And they don't want PAT dogs who lick people and my dog doesn't.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

We are - that's my point. The small risk of salmonella is amplified in vulnerable people; there's no medical advise suggesting any population can't own dogs. All I'm saying is I can understand the rationale underlying the rule, despite the fact that - when you get into it - dogs are actually pretty unhygienic creatures anyway

 

[skinnydipper]

We are - that's my point. The small risk of salmonella is amplified in vulnerable people; there's no medical advise suggesting any population can't own dogs. All I'm saying is I can understand the rationale underlying the rule, despite the fact that - when you get into it - dogs are actually pretty unhygienic creatures anyway

I'm sure you understand more about these things than I do. I've just been reading that dog's saliva contains lysozyme, an enzyme that breaks down bacteria. Bearing this in mind, do you think that a raw fed dog's mouth will contain more pathogenic bacteria than a kibble fed dog. Do you know if there have been any studies comparing the bacteria in the mouth of a raw fed dog vs kibble fed. Just interested, that's all.

 

[blodwyn1]

I have a therapy dog. I bought her age 3 fully trained, I think I have ruined some of her training now but she is wonderful. She can detect anxiety attacks and diabetic hypos. She has stopped me driving my car by jumping in the front and lying over me before I could start up! They really are miracle dogs.

 

[SilverLinings]

I'm sure you understand more about these things than I do. I've just been reading that dog's saliva contains lysozyme, an enzyme that breaks down bacteria. Bearing this in mind, do you think that a raw fed dog's mouth will contain more pathogenic bacteria than a kibble fed dog. Do you know if there have been any studies comparing the bacteria in the mouth of a raw fed dog vs kibble fed. Just interested, that's all.

I am not sure about the answer to your specific question, but with regards to the possibility of raw-fed dogs carrying zoonotic pathogens such as salmonella dogs may also have the bacteria from their food on their face, their paws and other parts of their coat where they may not have effectively cleaned it off, not just in their mouths.

OP, it sounds like a lovely idea with Miek, do let us know how it goes if you decide to go down this avenue

 

[druid]

Raw fed dogs are more likely to carry antibiotic resistant bacteria strains which is the issue as I understand. A quick google will give you several studies and articles around the issue.

I was asking as I personally know of a PAT dog which is raw fed so I assume the owner must be short with the truth when dealing with PAT

 

[skinnydipper]

I am not sure about the answer to your specific question, but with regards to the possibility of raw-fed dogs carrying zoonotic pathogens such as salmonella dogs may also have the bacteria from their food on their face, their paws and other parts of their coat where they may not have effectively cleaned it off, not just in their mouths.

Thanks, SL. I'm glad she is not a messy eater, her food goes in her mouth. She has raw complete, sort of a mince type food, which I spread on lickimats. She is not wrestling with raw meaty bones on the floor, which I don't think would be very hygienic.

 

[skinnydipper]

Raw fed dogs are more likely to carry antibiotic resistant bacteria strains which is the issue as I understand. A quick google will give you several studies and articles around the issue.

Hmm, that's interesting. I'll have a look at that. Thank you.

 

[druid]

Hmm, that's interesting though I think I'll keep her on raw.

It's the issue for PAT, not necessarily the general population. More likely to be around immunocompromised people in that setting

 

[FieldOrnaments]

It leads me to wonder if there are any studies comparing bacterial loads in raw fed UK dogs versus raw fed USA/rest of the world dogs as we have quite strict laws surrounding antibiotic usage in animals destined for the food chain. Though of course not even all supermarket meat is from the UK. But that would be very interesting to see.

 

[SilverLinings]

Immunosuppression is a serious issue and the precautions are there for a reason. I have been strongly advised by the hospital to not come into contact with a whole list of animals, and foodstuffs including raw-fed dogs. I also have to wear gloves when handling the horses if they have any kind of suspected infection or skin condition. I've been told that the chance of one incident causing a problem is low if I wash my hands thoroughly, but if I did pick up e.g. salmonella then it is likely I would be seriously ill so the risk is too great not to take precautions.

On the plus side, I was ahead of the handwashing game when covid hit

 

[Annette4]

Out of interest are raw fed dogs still banned by PATs/similar groups?

Not by Therapy Dogs Nationwide, that's why I volunteer for them.

 

[TwyfordM]

Um, the puppy griffon just bulldozed his way through the garden trellis with his head ... are brains a requirement?

 

[snowangel5]

Um, the puppy griffon just bulldozed his way through the garden trellis with his head ... are brains a requirement?

Flipping Nora yes brains are very important i hope the garden trellis is still standing strong after the dog charging through it

 

[TwyfordM]

Flipping Nora yes brains are very important i hope the garden trellis is still standing strong after the dog charging through it

Smashed to smithereens bailing twine is holding it together at the mo

 

[snowangel5]

Smashed to smithereens bailing twine is holding it together at the mo

I hope you can get it fixed or replaced but i hope you don't mind me following you