Therapy dogs to spread smiles for miles
When in hospital or similar institutions you might not have a furry friend around for that comforting, calming effect.
Most people have a furry four-legged friend they can’t wait to get home to, for various reasons. A lot of these people might see their pets, especially dogs, as someone(thing?) to confide in, among other things, knowing that their best friend won’t ever judge or think differently of them.
However, when in hospital or similar institutions you might not have a furry friend around for that comforting, calming effect. This is why a group of eight dedicated Therapy Dog handlers and their pets decided to start Touch Our Pets – Therapy Dogs, or TOP Dogs approximately nine years ago.
The organisation has grown tremendously over the past few years and now has approximately 100 active dog-and-handler teams on the East Rand, Johannesburg North, Pretoria, and very soon the West Rand.
The teams usually visit selected facilities, including schools and frail care institutions, on a monthly basis.
“We always try to accommodate as many people as we can within these areas with the number of teams we have.
Even though we are currently only active in Gauteng, we might look at expanding in due time,” Stephanie Stoltz, West Rand coordinator for TOP Dogs said.
To qualify as a TOP Dog team, the dog and handler need to pass the evaluation process and complete six successful probation visits. This evaluation process serves as a test to see how the dogs will react in the different situations they might encounter on a visit.
The West Rand’s first evaluation will take place on Sunday, 27 August at Lavender Lane Western Performance and Reining stable in Muldersdrift at about 12.30pm.
“Anyone who feel that they have a suitable dog can complete an application form. The person who will be handling the dog needs to bring the dog and go through the evaluation,” Stephanie explained.
They only use ABC-accredited behaviourists to do these evaluations, and should a dog not pass the evaluation, they will work with the owner to sort out any problems, and re-evaluate the dog at the next opportunity.
Should there be any interested potential handlers, they can either contact Stephanie on 063 774 8813 or send an email to info@therapytopdogs.co.za for an application form.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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