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Daisy working her therapy dog magic:)

Daisy2015

Active Member
Daisy was working her therapy dog magic with the Canine Friends Pet Therapy group at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand distressing the students. She handled it like pro! " all hands on me please CanineFriends-19.jpg CanineFriends-3.jpg CanineFriends-12.jpg CanineFriends-11.jpg CanineFriends-10.jpg "
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Awesome! Is she really so calm and accepting of all the people around her touching her at once? I was trying to get Bailey trained for this, but she still shies away from head petting. She always wants to sniff you all over first before you get to pet her head.
 

Daisy2015

Active Member
Awesome! Is she really so calm and accepting of all the people around her touching her at once? I was trying to get Bailey trained for this, but she still shies away from head petting. She always wants to sniff you all over first before you get to pet her head.
Thank you Baily's Mom ! Yes Daisy loves people and cuddles....I work at a vocational service for adults with intellectual disabilities and Daisy has been accompanying me to work 3 half days a week since she was a puppy. So I'm not sure if its just her personality or if she learned by making positive interactions with many new people on a regular basis to be relaxed with people. I have to admit that this was a lot more intense than her usual therapy dog work at my work and I kept a close eye on her stress levels and gave her little breaks in between, but I think she handled it very well.
Bailey looks lovely :) and from what I have read on some of your other posts she sounds like a real sweetheart. Most therapy dogs here visit rest homes and its a lot more low key , I'm sure Bailey would do great :)
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
She's good with very small kids and really old people, but I won't be able to pick my assignment. Once she's accepted, she'll have to go through extensive training. I know she'd like seniors' homes and childrens' hospitals, but not so sure she'd handle drug or alcohol rehab situations or getting the heck petted out of her at the University during exam time. Time will tell as I keep widening her circle of experiences.
 

Daisy2015

Active Member
She's good with very small kids and really old people, but I won't be able to pick my assignment. Once she's accepted, she'll have to go through extensive training. I know she'd like seniors' homes and childrens' hospitals, but not so sure she'd handle drug or alcohol rehab situations or getting the heck petted out of her at the University during exam time. Time will tell as I keep widening her circle of experiences.
OK. What a shame that you can't pick the placement that would be suitable for you and your dog:( With Canine friends they ask if you have a preference or a placement in mind and then they help to facilitate and make it happen, after dog and handler pass the assessment. There is actually no further training but they do accompany you to your first placement visit .
The University visit was strictly optional to those who were interested. I thought it was good opportunity for Daisy who is already very social to further desensitise and get used to more crowded situations.
It sounds to me like you are on the right track . I would love to hear how you get on with the assessment and what their training entails , so please post updates ... I'll keep my fingers crossed :)