About Us
Canine Assisted Therapy is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and relies solely on donations from the community for support. Your donation will help us to provide support, training, education and mentoring to those interested in dog therapy programs. Please help us to continue our service to those in need by donating generously today.
Thank you!
Donate to C.A.T.
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Join C.A.T. at the Palm Beach County Dog Fanciers AKC All Breed Dog Show! March 13th & 14th  C.A.T. Testing takes place immediately after the CGC Testing in the
center ring. |
Upcoming Events
Pet First-Aid
and CPR
Thursday, February 25th
SOLD OUT
Find Out More!
C.A.T. Continuing Education Seminar
Thursday, March 11th
SIGN UP NOW!
Find Out More!
C.A.T. Teen Corps
Training Class
Sunday, February 28th
Oxford, Florida
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Next Week
 Helping Children Be Safe Around Dogs |
This Week's Sponsors
Salon Bark
"Thank You!" to
Honey Baked Ham for Catering the
February 18th
Continuing Education
Program
"Thank You!" to the Bayview Center for providing the room for the Continuing Education Program on February 18th and March 11th.
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 Open Your Eyes to Listen to Your Dog
Wouldn't it be wonderful if our dogs could actually talk and tell us what is on their mind? Since they can't use their voices to communicate in the way humans do, dogs use body language to try to get their point across. We have to open our eyes in order to listen to what they have to say.
Facing the fact that your dog does not, or no longer enjoys doing therapy work isn't easy for any of us. It is, however, something that we all need to prepare for and to know what the signs are that indicate it may be time to make a change.
My therapy dog, Dillon, has been communicating very clearly to me that it is time for a change. His communication started when he refused to get out of the vehicle when we arrived at our facility. Further communication was turning his back on the people; not walking close enough to them to let them touch him; cuddling close to me rather than approaching the clients; and heading straight for the door as soon as it was in his sight. Dillon is telling me, "I don't want to be here. I don't want to be petted. I want you to protect me. And I want out of here." As much as I love the people in the facility and love being there with Dillon, I absolutely must put his feelings and his best interest first and foremost.
All is not lost however. There are many forms of pet therapy and we are going to work on finding another approach that may work for Dillon. Dillon loves to work physically, so we are pursuing cart pulling. We hope that someday soon we will be able to have Dillon pull a cart holding a dog that does love to do pet therapy into facilities for the enjoyment of the patients and residents. I will always be on the lookout for signs that he is not enjoying the work that I ask him to do and will make changes according to his communication with me... even if that means retiring him from therapy work altogether.
If you think your dog may be showing signs of stress and may not be enjoying the therapy work, please don't hesitate to call our office or send us an email. We are here to help you through the ups and downs of therapy work and will do all that we can to make the transition to another form of therapy or to retirement of your dog from therapy work as easy as possible.
So, keep your eyes wide open and be aware of what your dog is trying to tell you. They depend on you to keep them safe and happy and to make sure that their life is fulfilled.
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What Dogs Do For Us
- Catch Frisbees.
- Get us outside on a beautiful day.
- Listen to us sing.
- Warm our beds on cold nights.
- Alert us to the arrival of mail.
- Help us live longer.
- Make us smile.
- Agree with everything we say.
- Warm our knees with their chins.
- Provide a use for old tennis balls.
- Pull sleds.
- Help lower our blood pressure.
- Test how fast we can run.
- Keep squirrels from taking over our yards.
- Teach us the meaning of unconditional love.
~ Anonymous
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Dear Georgia: Doubling Up - Not an Option
Dear Georgia: I would love to get my dog into a second therapy organization as my current therapy organization is not in a facility that I would like to visit with my therapy dog. I'm happy with my organization but would like to have dual certifications so that I can get in to more than one facility to volunteer. I have been told I cannot be dually certified. Why can't I do this? - Double TroubleDear Double: I commend you on your motivation to want to volunteer in a specific facility and wanting to take the steps you feel are necessary to do so. Most organizations require that in order for you to be certified with their organization, that you also be registered as a member of their organization. The reason for this is that you must be an active member in order for their liability insurance to cover you while you are working as a volunteer representing them. You cannot be registerd, or a member of more than one organization because it would not be possible for the insurance company to determine which organization that you were actually working for in the event of an accident or incident. Chances are, if the insurance company knew that you were registered with another organization, they would do their best to get the other insurance company to pay so that they will not have to pay the claim themselves. There is a great possiblity that neither company would pay because of this and you would be left holding the bag alone. Have you contacted your certifying organization to ask them to help you to get in to your desired facility? Many organizations can provide you with a list of organizations that they recommend that you go to or that accept therapy dogs certified by them. I also encourage you to check out Canine Assisted Therapy. They will help you with placement in a facility of your choosing and provide support and education to you as a member and volunteer of their organization. They cannot always guarantee placement into your desired facility, but many times it helps to have the organization approach the facility for you. - Georgia Email your questions to DearGeorgia@catdogs.orgBack to Top |
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