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What Is A
Therapy Dog? |
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Therapy Dogs are those that have been trained to a high standard to
visit with individuals who may not otherwise have the opportunity to
benefit from the therapeutic effects of interacting with a dog.
Therapy Dogs are typically handled by their owners and taken to
locations such as nursing homes or hospitals to visit with
patients. School reading programs also employ Therapy Dogs to
encourage children who are reluctant to read the chance to read to a
dog that will not judge or criticize the child’s performance.
Therapy Dog handlers volunteer their time to enhance other people's
lives. Although the two terms are sometimes mistakenly
interchanged, a Service Dog is one which has been trained
specifically for a person with a disability to help mitigate
symptoms of the owner's disability. Therapy Dogs provide beneficial
interactions for others. |
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How Do I
Certify My Dog? |
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There are a number of organizations in the USA that offer membership
to dog-handler teams which have passed an evaluation required for
certification. Each organization has a different method of
certifying its member teams. Members enjoy the benefit of group
liability insurance during official Therapy Dog visits. Some, but
not all, nursing homes and hospitals require Therapy Dog teams to be
members of an official organization.
We recommend
Therapy Dogs
Inc. because we feel that their certification process emulates
the real world that a Therapy Dog team will enter when
volunteering. But, each handler should research the organizations
and determine which one best suits his / her needs.
Committed Canine, Inc. co-founder,
Tammie Rogers, is a Tester / Observer for Therapy Dogs Inc.
She is available to perform Tests and Evaluations for anyone who
requests that service, regardless of whether they participate in a
Committed Canine Therapy Dog program or not. |
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Getting
started: |
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If you are
interested in training your own dog to perform Therapy Dog work,
we recommend training options offered at our sister company, DarnFar
Ranch. Visit the
DarnFar Ranch website for details.
Handlers of certified Therapy Dogs
are welcome to participate in the Committed Canine, Inc. Therapy Dog
programs listed below.
Therapy Dog handlers are
volunteers. We are grateful for donations that help off set
the expenses of performing this charitable work.
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Committed
Canine Therapy Dog Programs: |
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The
Reading P.A.C.K. |
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The Reading
P.A.C.K. program encourages
children to read to a
dog that will not judge or criticize the child’s performance.
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Therapy Dog handlers
donate their time to help others in local schools and libraries.
The
unconditional acceptance, lack of judgment and novelty that a dog
offers a child can result in improved reading scores and enhance
a child’s general attitude about reading. It also provides Therapy
Dog handlers the opportunity to volunteer in their community towards
a heartwarming cause.
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PROGRAM LOCATION:
Evans Public Library, 215 S. 5th Street, Vandalia, IL
62471
PROGRAM DATES & HOURS
The 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month 5:30 –
6:50 PM
Reading sessions with the dogs are scheduled at 5:30, 5:50, 6:10,
6:30 PM
To sign up your child contact
Linda Kelly, Librarian:
(618) 283-2824
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General
Therapy Dog Events |
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Our Therapy Dogs attend
Illinois Army National Guard Reintegration Events and other veterans
programs |
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The Reading P.A.C.K.
handlers and their Therapy Dogs attended the "Good Grief Day
Camp" on October 1, 2011 |
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First Church of God,
Thrill Hill Road, Vandalia, IL |
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Sponsored by:
Fayette County Health Department Hospice |
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"Good Grief Day Camp" is a
unique program of creative activities and grief support in a peaceful
and safe environment. It is designed for children and teens who
have experienced the death of a significant person or anticipating
grief. |
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