NewsPaws from New England Pet Partners, Inc:)

WOW-- Congratulations teams: Ken & Sparky, Sue & Surprise, Opal, Special and Lily (phew--nice work), Yvonne & Tucker, Dianne & Lacy, Sunnie & Mary, Kathy & Jake.

Dianne & Lacy "check out my SNEAKS"

One of NEPP's goals is to create confident and inspiring Pet Partner and R.E.A.D. teams. You certainly inspired us! Good job!

We know this does not happen magically. It requires commitment to positive training, continuing education, and re-evaluations. We empathize! It is time consuming, BUT consider the consequence: Would you like to be in a hospital, recovering from an injury or sitting in a chemo-infusion chair, and have someone walk in with their dog or horse, who is smelly, pees on the floor, then leaps on your lap while their owner sips her Dunkin Donut iced coffee? Oh, wait a minute-- that's a dog park! Kidding, but you get the picture. Evaluations and Registrations have a valuable purpose. We appreciate the teams who consistently re-eval, thank you!

Recently, someone asked one of our evaluators why someone was doing module PP training in the same facility that the patients at, then evaluating there too. Our answer was simple: go ask them. WIth integrity, the professional way to clarify questions about other groups and/or individuals is to ask the person and/or group. Otherwise, it becomes a silly, and oftentimes inaccurate assumption.

Micromanaging other groups wastes time and energy. Focusing on your goals, group's abilities is the wellspring to create a strong, unique program, while following the "core" code of ethics, policies and procedures of the Delta Society.

There will always be myths about behavior and training. Many were clarified recently at a workshop entitled "Who is the Alpha?" by Monique Charbonnier, who I look forward to seeing again at the APDT Conference in Oakland, CA in October (Hello Teoti).

As a behaviorist, who walks the talk, living with and training multiple dogs everyday, I know that the key ingredients of a strong team has little to do with whether or not the team as trained and tested in the same facility. That's mythical and comes with little research or justification.

ALL PETS, whether living with families or working in therapeutic milieus deserve to be socialized and desensitized on a regular basis to a broad variety of sights, sounds, smells and cultural diversity. Training happens in most facilities for about two hours a week. The rest is a commitment of humility and diligence. I share this as my six month old newfie chews my foot-- OUCH--TOO HARD. Time for a walk--

Enjoy the Journey.