Rescue Dog Journal
Therapy Dog Student #1
Shasta: What’s a Journal and why am I getting one
Dog Mom (me): Well Shasta, a Journal is defined as a record of events and when people have a private journal it is called a diary.
Shasta: So why are you not calling mine a diary?
Dog Mom (me): Because it is not going to be private.
Shasta: So everyone will be able to see?
Dog Mom (me): Yep, so be careful what you say?
Shasta: But I can write about whatever I want and share pics with my peeps?
Dog Mom (me): Yep
Shasta: I’m really excited, even though I know I don’t usually show it, but my big question is ALWAYS…will there be treats?
Dog Mom (me): I’m sure we can work something out.
Shasta: Well, ok then. I’ve been really excited to tell everyone about a new program I’m getting to help start called Caring Paws. Dog Mom was asked to help the Volunteer department at Adventist Medical Center Hanford (Dog Mom and Dad work for Adventist Health) establish a new pet therapy program.
The director (Tanya) had already been researching what I know…and I’m sure my furry (feathered, etc) friends already knew. First, we are very special. Also we bring with us a lot of physical and emotional benefits which happen when hoomans interact with us. She had already started researching this type of program, making something called a budget, and talked to the top dogs (oh I mean hoomans) getting their support. She had also chatted with our friends at #PetSmart (remember how handsome I looked after my December #grooming at PetSmart). Well, they are going to do all the grooming for the Therapy Dogs since we have to be all spiffy within 24 hours of our visits. Just in case your forgot how handsome I looked here is a reminder (see more here)….
I’m just so handsome thanks to #PetSmart
Dog mom and I met with Tanya a few weeks ago and had a very successful meeting (see pictures at the end). Dog mom was able to bring a lot of information with her thanks to her #WIPIN (Women in the Pet Industry) connection to #PetPartners. Pet Partners has been around a long time, though I hear they used to go by a different name. They have an amazing Therapy Pet registration program which includes classes, a test and team evaluation. Dog mom learned a lot and just today passed her Pet Handler Course post test…I guess I’m up next. PetSmart has agreed to help us with our training…so that’ll be our next meeting. You heard me right, I’m going to school furry friends and peeps. Yep, I’m now officially a Pet Therapy Student and plan to tell you all about it…so stay tuned!
Are you or have you been a Pet Therapy Student or been in training classes? I’d love to hear about it. Until next time…~Shasta
I like what you’ve done with this Tanya
I agree Dog Mom, sounds like fun
Today is the Pet Parade Blog Hop and we’re joining the fun!
Special thanks to Rascal and Rocco, Bionic Basil’s Blog, Love is being owned by a Husky & Barking From The Bayou for hosting.
P.S. It may sound like this was a sponsored post but it wasn’t I just can’t help but mention PetSmart cause they are being so cool helping out. 😉 ~Shasta
G is so proud of both you and your hooman. The whole family has been in the healthcare profession and have long known how pets in general, and the patients own beloved pets can be so a part of therapeutic care! It didn’t take rocket science, but it did take some special thinking about how to meet health care regulations and have some pets in the hospital.
We love you all as you bark forth on this adventure.
Your Grand dog misses you!!
Congratulations on becoming a therapy dog team! My Husky Icy and I are a Pet Partners therapy dog team as well. We had our training at PetSmart too! We have an awesome trainer there. We’ve been volunteering for about 3 years. It’s so rewarding!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
That’s so cool! We can’t wait to join the team!!
THanks for Pet Parading. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity for Shasta and you. I can’t wait to read your journal. ☺ Have a great time at school.
We are excited to be joining you all!! Dog mom has been struggling to find a hop to join after Monday mischief went away since she works so long on Tues, Weds & Thursday. We’ll be stopping by your hop regularly!!
Thank you for joining the Pet Parade! Wow, this sounds like a wonderful program. Great job helping to get it started. Can’t wait to hear more about it.
Thanks for hosting the hop! We’re excited to be part of the therapy program!
How neat! congrats on the new Journal and all the fun stuff you have planned.
Thank you Amy! Shasta and I need all the support we can get! Thanks for stopping by!
I know another dog who went through the Pet Partners program. Her mom chose it because it’s the top therapy training program. That dog works in a school every day with special needs students. I hope you enjoy the program. Study hard and you’ll be top dog. Nice to find your blog via BlogPaws.
I’m so excited to be finding new pet people through BlogPaws too! We enjoyed finding your blog today too and can’t wait for updates!
It is amazing the difference a good Pet Therapy Program can make. The benefits to patients and also staff in hospitals can be incredible. We featured some wonderful therapy dogs in our TV series and have been researching a new doc “Man’s best mend- the healing power of dogs” We will follow your journey. So exciting!
We really enjoy following you! Is your TV series on YouTube with your dog documentaries or somewhere else?
That is exciting! I look forward to reading about all your adventures.
We are so excited you found us and we found you too!! Your post this week added to our “must read soon” book list!! 🙂
Congratulations, we cannot wait to follow your journal 🙂
So happy to have you join us!! We love your site… readers check them out! A portion of their sales to to rescues!!
This sounds very exciting. It is a very special to be a therapy dog. Good work and good luck
Thanks we appreciate the support! We are still working on setting up our next meeting with PetSmart so we’ll have another Journal post as soon as we do!
You are adorable Shasta! It is wonderful that you have decided to help people feel better. I think that pets life a human’s spirit in ways no other human ever could. 🙂
Dog mom says that I’ll be especially good at it. Now if she can keep me out of mud!! BOL
I have always wanted to get Ruby trained as a therapy dog. She’s very sweet and gentle and I think would make a perfect friend to someone in need.
We had been saying the same thing about Shasta. You should check out Pet Partners. They have a PAWsomem program and probably one near you!!
How sweet is this. Nice to see you have a journal going. I look paw-ward to following along.
Thanks Carol, you have been such a great help for ALL things blogging and social!
Yay Harley. Children’s books are such a great way to educate children AND their parents. Nice to meet a fellow children’s book author!
Yeah!! We’re excited to have found each other! YEAH BlogPaws!! 😉