First weeks as a Therapy dog

Doctor Dog blogging here! My first week as a professional therapy dog I took it pretty slow. Mom had clients come to the office, and then they were impressed by how cute I am. One eleven year old girl was afraid of me, as well as a sixty year old man, so I had to sit in the corner and let them get used to me just by being still. No danger in these paws! I realized pretty quickly that some people want my affection while they're talking, so I go and sit next to them, or even lay my head in their lap. Some people really want me to perform my tricks for them. Mom says this helps kids build confidence, self-efficacy, communication skills, and build the therapeutic rapport. I think they just like seeing me roll over.

As weeks went by, I noticed a pattern developing. When most people come in to the office, I'm the first thing they look for! They smile, pet me, ask me how I'm doing, and some people let me lick them (mom says this is a no-no, but how can I resist their delicious faces!?). People come to therapy to talk about difficult stuff, sometimes it makes their hearts beat faster, salty tears come out of their eyes, their faces turn a different shade of grey, and they talk louder than normal. I've noticed when this happens, they look at me or touch to help calm their bodies down. If they aren't calming down, mom starts petting me and says, "Doctor gets scared of loud voices, let's do some deep breathing together," and then they start pulling the air in through their noses. I must have some zen effect on them. I'm starting to feel like a human-mesmerizer! 

Doctor's Therapy Dog Journal!

Nearly exactly one year since my last post, I believe it's time to provide some updates!
I, Doctor, am currently a certified therapy dog through Pet Partners. I've already helped hundreds of people get in touch with their softer side. Let me backtrack, though...

February 2013 I took these great classes with Mom through the New England Dog Training Club. It was some advanced obedience work. Sure didn't feel like a puppy anymore! I learned I should be walking right next to mom, giving her eye contact, ignoring other dogs unless she tells me to, sit when she stops, and listen for what she's going to say. It was a lot of work to learn that! Especially in a room full of other dogs.

April 2013 I took the Canine good Citizen Test. Not to toot my own horn, but WOOF WOOF, I passed with flying tennis balls. Mmmm, balls. Anyway, now I have a pretty blue patch that can be sewn onto my therapy dog vest when I get it.

May 2013 I was best dog in Mom and Dad's wedding. Let's face it, I looked GOOD. it was on a farm, and the cows smelled awesome. I got to have a dance with mom and partied all night! I hung out by the cheese table most of the night. Then I fell asleep under their table.

June 2013 mom got really serious with my therapy dog training! I learned that even when little kids are excited and jumping and screaming, I have to lay down and wait for them. All I want to do is lick their dirty little faces clean. It's my biggest struggle, honestly, just not licking their faces until they shine. So we ended up driving far away to New Hampshire for the test. It was in this awesome room with a doggy playground, a greyhound , a weird stuffed animal I wasn't allowed to tear up, wheelchairs, and nice ladies. Everyone just kept running around and acting like goons, but I knew I had to do my best listening. At the end I aced the test and we got our therapy dog team! Mom took me to a forest to run around afterwards and celebrate my victory.

October 2013 I started my first job! Mom is a counselor, and she meets with a lot of different people every day. I may sure I stare at my ball and whine in the morning so she doesn't forget to throw it for her exercise. I always bring it right back. I think that's part of my therapy dog duties, to help her with her throwing. All I do is go to the office, sniff around a bit, then sack out on the ground. Mom sees little kids, couples, and adults. I can tell when someone needs my help. They just seem so sad or mad sometimes, and I gently lean up against them and they pet me. The kids are a lot of work! I teach them tricks by shaking their hands, showing them how to roll over, spin in circles, and take a nice bow. They giggle when I try to lick them and talk to me about how "I'm" feeling.

February 2013 I got my certification to travel on planes with Mom. Since I'm so good at telling people's feelings and following rules, I get to sit under her seat. We are going to Texas for some fun! Let me tell you, I do NOT like planes! Mom gave me a Benadryl after about an hour of me panting under all this fur and then I blissfully slept.