Our instructors worked very hard to complete the course and make sure all the dogs and their partners got special attention in areas they needed. 

It has been a busy time for Yoda Bear as he also now has status as a Service/Hearing Dog.  He still  trains daily to signal for the telephone, knocking at the door, the alarm clock and obedience.  He goes with me shopping, into restaurants and spends his days on his own chair next to my desk at work.  All of this allows him to be acclimated to all types of sounds, activities and busy people so that he is not distracted easily.  He has learned to watch me for reactions to new situations and takes it all in stride.

You can click on the red bones and see photos and get more information, and thanks for joining us. The picture above is Yoda waiting for his turn to be tested as a Therapy Dog.

April 2006:  We went to an orientation at the Alverno Nursing Home in Clinton.  They are starting a Therapy Dog Program.  Those who attended will be testing their dog at the end of May to qualify them for the Good Citizen Award and Therapy Dog Certification.  

After the testing each dog and trainer will go to three supervised visits so the staff can match the dogs to small groups for weekly visits.  They will also meet the nurses and other caregivers on staff and be instructed on any special needs or circumstances for their assigned group.

July 2006: We have been to two visits so far and he seems to like the people, at least in the hallway, he is a little hesitant about being put on the beds and onto laps.  The time we are spending with each person is not long and I am hoping he begins to enjoy it more as we continue in the program..

August 2006: I removed Yoda Bear from the Therapy Program because he developed some sever personality changes over the last few weeks.  These included following me out of the office when I go to file, etc.; sleeping on the floor next to my bed instead of his pillows; refusing to go on a walk with a friend that he likes very much.  The final decision to take him out of the program came when he  tried to jump out of a shopping cart when I left him for a few minutes with my mother.

September 1, 2006:  Yoda Bear has settling down.  He has returned to his pillow at night and when I left him with my mother for a few minutes in a store he has perfectly content to stay with her again, he also remains in the office again instead of trying to follow me.

The bond and trust between Service Dog and Owner is too important to put anything before it.  For now I am going to continue working with him and building his confidence, making sure his life is secure and comfortable.