A couple of months ago, Toby became a registered therapy dog.
Since I adopted him in August of 2012, almost everyone who meets him says what a great therapy dog he would be.
He just loves people and socializing with them.
Together, on Saturday mornings for 3 weeks this winter, we attended classes learning the ins and outs of being a therapy dog team.
Toby yawned during most of the class while looking for training treats but I found the class helpful and motivational.
On the final day of the class, Toby and I passed the test and we officially became a therapy dog team (Note: Bella would rather observe the yard and procure blog content. DiDi is brushing up on her obedience skills and hopes to take the class later this year.)
Toby wearing his cap and scarf after becoming a registered therapy dog.
Opportunity Galore
The therapy dog team organization which we belong to sends us weekly emails chock full of people and places looking for therapy dog teams. In fact, I was told that the organization which is the largest of its kind in Massachusetts, has more requests for therapy dog teams than it does teams.
I figured we would be able to start our work within a week or two.
I was excited for Toby to get the stimulation and bring joy to others.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing my dogs in their element with smiles on their face.
Take One
A week after graduation, I read one of the organization’s emails scanning for an appropriate volunteering situation for us to be a part of.
There it was.
A veteran housing facility looking for dog teams to stop by and visit with their inhabitants who suffer from PTSD.
I picked up the phone and made arrangements with the director for a visit.
However, the visit has yet to occur months later because the director has so much work to do for his own job that he hasn’t had time to track down his boss for an official approval.
Why is it that those who need the most help seem to have the greatest burden?
If I could, I would drive to the facility and present the info to the director’s boss myself.
We hope to visit the veterans soon but have been seeking out other opportunities in the meantime.
Let’s Try This Again
Another email landed in my mailbox requesting a dog team visit an elderly yet lively dog lover.
I made contact right away.
After 2-3 weeks of no replies, I received a message asking for Toby’s medical history (FYI- Toby’s medical history had to be approved in order for us to even take the therapy dog class) and a list of 5 medical tests and vaccinations I had to send documentation of receiving.
The one medical element of the request that left me frustrated and dumbfounded was “2 negative TB tests within the past year.”
I have never taken one TB test in my life and I get a physical every year.
So now, I would have to make a doctor’s appointment and take time out of my work day in order to volunteer with my dog.
Toby: Did the administrators find out that I like to get into the trash sometimes? Is this why I can’t volunteer?
I Get It…Sort Of
I understand nursing homes and other medical facilities must take precautions for their patients and/or residents. I really do.
For many of the people seeking therapy dog visits, one germ can become a life or death situation.
However, I signed up to be a volunteer. The administrators of some of these institutions seem to have lost sight of that.
Why is it so difficult to give to those who need it?!?
Also, why can’t we all get on the same page so that therapy dog teams don’t have to resubmit documentation or even undergo extra medical tests not involved in a typical yearly physical?
Breathe and Try Again
There is a nearby children’s hospital that is eager to have Toby and me do regular visits.
Of course, before that can happen, I need to go in for an interview, orientation, complete a stack of papers and present Toby’s entire medical history.
The challenge is that the hospital staffer who I need to meet with works between 9am and 5pm and I do too.
The woman leading the therapy dog program is very kind and understands that this is a pain in the you know what.
Her positive and sympathetic attitude led me to dissect and rearrange my schedule so that I could leave my desk early one day this week and complete the interview, orientation and paperwork.
A little understanding goes a long way.
I hope that Toby and I can start putting smiles on children’s faces at this hospital sooner rather than later.
Because able and wiling volunteers are only willing to jump through a certain number for hoops before saying enough is enough.
-Margot
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Bunny and I have been a therapy dog team for over five years. I am not sure what organization you are with, but they all have their advantages and disadvantages. I wrote about some of our frustration a few years ago when a local hospital wanted people to pay $300 to volunteer there and give a promise that it would be exclusive and we wouldn’t visit anywhere else. Yeah, that’s a lot to ask of volunteers, and I’m sad to say that some people did it.
We currently do several nursing home visits and now volunteer with hospice as well. I have to have an annual TB test and I also had the TDAPP shot. They also require the flu shot, but my doctor said I was too sick to have it this year, so I signed a waiver that said I would wear a mask when visiting if a flu outbreak happened and everything was okay. Because it’s hospice, I don’t feel bad about doing these things. Our patients are already very sick and they don’t need that kind of aggravation at the ends of their lives.
What I would say is that if you want to volunteer with your dog, there are a lot of opportunities if you look for them in the right places. I wish you and Toby good luck!
Thanks for your comment @houndstooth4! You are correct in that we need to keep looking for the right opportunities.
Wow that is frustrating. Why would you have to take 2 TB test in one year? That is ridiculous if you ask me. There are times I get request to go to the hospital to see a patient of a friend but I just go. I do sign in with the desk and show my shot record but other than that I am good to go.
I hope you get lots of opportunities soon. Congratulations to Toby and you for becoming a Therapy Team. You ROCK!!!
Carma I was very surprised when I saw the 2 TB test in a year request too. Thanks for your encouragement!
That is definitely frustrating. I can see how it takes away all the excitement. God bless you for hanging in there. When Cupcake was certified, the therapy dog organization gave us a 3 day orientation to the Veteran’s home that we would be servicing. They were already established there, so I went to observe an experienced team the first week, and an experienced handler accompanied Cupcake and me the next week, and both teams visited together the 3rd week. I hope the third time is the charm for you and Toby.
Genevieve,
The organization that you and Cupcake work with seems to have their ducks in a row. Hopefully this children’s hospital will be a good place for Toby and I to help.
Margot