Therapy Dog Graduate
Dog mom has taken her sweet time getting around to helping me with my post. I graduated from Pet Smart and began my pet therapy hospital visits… almost a year ago. That is a whole 7 years in dog time… Uh hum, I am not a happy Shasta. Dog mom says she is sorry and I should get on with my story.
I had a great time with my trainer Joe at PetSmart. I learned a lot and eventually passed the hardest test for me, leave it. Did you know they put a whole pile of treats in the middle of the floor? Then they put me on one side of the pile and dog mom on the other. I am supposed to sit and stay until she tells me to come and then I have to walk around that WHOLE PILE of treats and LEAVE IT. I decided it was too tempting so I took the path to dog mom as far away from the treats as possible. I am not sure why everyone was laughing as I thought it was the smartest thing to do.
[bctt tweet=”Can you pass up a pile of treats? I DID IT and became a Therapy Dog!” username=”denisegruzensk”]
PetSmart has helped our Caring Paws program by providing a 7th week of school. Yep, I am an overachiever. During the 7th week they bring in all sorts of scaring things like wheelchairs, crutches and canes. Do you know what they do? They take them right past me. They roll, clunk and make all sorts of unfamiliar noises. Dog mom says it is to make sure I don’t react. I guess I was a good dog because I passed and got my certificate. 
In August (2016-not to keep barking but like I said dog mom is way behind), I had my 1st trip to the hospital to visit patients. Now I understand why I had to get used to wheelchairs, crutches, IV poles and more. Adventist Health did such a nice video. I think I look quite handsome. What do you think?
Now I get to visit patients about every 6 weeks and I PAWsitively love my new job. Working as a pet therapy dog makes me feels so good. I get lots of lovin. The treats are not to shabby either. Dog mom and dad are so proud and they tell me all the time.
I think I’ll forgive Dog mom. What do you think?
Coming Soon
We are also trying to name a new installment of my Rescue Dog Journal. I’m going to take photos and write about livin the good life in California. Also taking you to some iconic places in our fabulous state. We could use your help with a name.
Also, keep an eye out. In May we had our road trip “Best Friends 2 Blog Friends”. Instagram and Facebook were the first places to catch our adventures. Check out our hashtags: #BF2BF and #RoadTrippinwithDenisesDogDish
I have been having some health problems. I know it worries Dog Mom and is part of the reason it is taking her so long to write. We make sure to take everything we learn on our journey and share to help you too so stay tuned!
Way to go! I don’t think I could pass up those treats.
What about a travel blog name like “pet sounds”? Referencing The Beach Boys
– very California And their very best album in my opinion. 🙂
Congrats on getting your certificate. You made mom and dad so proud. You are doing very important working helping to make the lives of others better just by being you. Keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing!
This is so cool! Congratulations, Shasta! You are the cutest therapy dog ever.
Ignoring treats would be a FAIL-FAIL-FAIL for Magical-Dawg. He even hunts out the cat treasure hunt food puzzles. The nose knows…and snarfing follows, BOL! So glad you get to visit folks now, therapy sounds like a great fit for you. Congrats!
First off, you are ridiculously adorable! Second, congratulations on all the hard work!!!!
Thank you and thank you!! ?
Hello Shasta, nice to meet you! Congratulations on becoming a therapy dog and “finally” having Mom tell everyone about it. It’s a hard job but I know your work is appreciated. My oldest child has benefitted from a few visits from therapy dogs and they make a world of difference. Thank you for your service!
I’m happy to help! Though I’m sorry you were in a place to need us I’m glad you’ve all benefited from my colleagues service.
Awesome job! Congrats on passing your class and working. I have some questions about working at a hospital. I’ll send you a message.
We will watch for your message. Miss you and Mr.N
Aw, yay!! Congrats!! Milo starts some classes next week, we are behind as well. 🙂
Fingers and paws crossed up for Milo. We will be excited to hear about his progress!
Congratulations! Being a therapy dog team is such great work. Way to go at passing your test.
Thank you! Since we helped put the Caring Paws program together we were quite relieved to pass!
Congrats! Rufus got kicked out of basic obedience. Hopefully we will be as successful as you someday.
Oh boy,I have faith in Rufus! I’m a mellow old man to start with so the leave it and walking on a leash were my biggest challenges. Smiles, Barks and Wagging Tails ~Shasta
Congratulations and you deserve lots of treats
Thank you! I’m with you if dog mom can find treats I like again… I really have her hunting… ? Smiles,Barks and Wagging Tails, ~Shasta
Congrats on graduating! That’s so awesome. I’d love for Simba to be a therapy dog and let children read to him. I’m going to have to look more into it soon. I hope everything gets better with your health problems!
Thank you! Those reading programs are terrific and also so helpful. Kids that are shy and having trouble learning to read find us fur kids much less intimidating. Smiles, Barks and Wagging Tails, ~Shasta
Congratulations! Leave it is such an important command for dogs to learn. My mom’s dog is too quick to put something in his mouth that is on the floor.
It truly is such an important command, regardless and Pawsitively one of the most difficult.
Congratulations on becoming a therapy dog! I love how dogs are being used to help people in more and more situations. There is just something that an animal can provide for people that other humans can’t provide. I think you will be able to help a lot of people to heal!
It’s amazing how many different animals are used. Dogs,Cats, Guinea pigs,even mini horses… the research definitely backs up the benefits and we love being a part of it!
Congratulations Shasta! I can imagine how tough it was to leave that pile of treats, my dogs would go CRAZY! I’m sure the people you visit are always happy to see you.
That pile of treats/leave it was definitely the hardest part! Smiles, Barks and Wagging Tails, ~Shasta
Congratulations! Icy and I did our therapy dog training with PetSmart as well, we are so grateful they help this Husky pass the Pet Partners evaluation – every two years! It’s the most rewarding thing! I hope you feel better soon, I’m sorry to hear you’re not feeling your very best right now. Don’t worry, Mom & Dad will take great care of you.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Congratulations to you and Icy too! We simply love PetSmart for all they do. They are so generous. The visits this last year have been great. Dog mom has me on “sick leave” right now. We appreciate the good thoughts. She thinks I’ll feel better when she and the new Vet get my meds figured out. We will keep you posted… ??
Congrats! Therapy is super rewarding! Hopefully you guys love it as much as we do!
I agree. I feel good helping others feel better too! Smiles, Barks and Wagging Tails, ~Shasta
Oh congrats! Thats wonderful!!
Thank you! Smiles, Barks and Wagging Tails, Denise and ~Shasta
Wow congrats on getting certified. What a great program at PetSmart. There is no doubt about the wonderful benefits therapy dogs bring to those they visit and I bet your Mom feels good too. Kilo the Pug could not walk by a pile of treats plus he is not a fan of strangers or new places so it would be very tough for him sadly. I just film other dogs. We should do a feature on you for Rescues Rock and Dogs Make a Difference. Hope your health issues are better.
Leaving those treats was SOOOO hard! I don’t mind strangers but it sounds like they would be stressful for Kilo.. I’d be honored to be featured by you. We love all you do! Smiles,Barks and Wagging Tails, ~Shasta
Congratulations! I didn’t realize that PetSmart offers Therapy Dog training. I don’t think of my dogs have the right temperament to be therapy dogs, but I am so happy that therapy dogs exist! They do such a great job of making life better in so many different situations.
It is a special arrangement we made with our local PetSmart. We added an additional week to their basic training (that teaches a lot of what they need to know). In the final week we added hospital equipment and a pre Pet Partners full test trial.