Right. So back to therapy dogs. When I got Calvin I had big dreams of having an immaculately trained dog who could put smiles on the faces of hospital patients and eventually go on to cure cancer or something.
Listen - I was unemployed and didn't have a whole lot else to pay attention to. I didn't say it was realistic.
Flash-forward to Calvin's incessant suspicions of anyone outside of his core eight humans and my plan to win a Nobel Peace Prize because of my dog has been thoroughly crushed. And after it was crushed, it was stomped and spat on by Theo's disinterest in learning how to do anything besides 'sit', 'stay' and 'touch' - which, while adorable, isn't getting me on the front page of Time Magazine.
Nonetheless, we recently found a way for my two pups to do something good. One of my closest friend's just lost her family dogs, two cairn terriers who lived very long, very good lives. Her family had come to terms with the state of their health and are moving on with the happy memories.
Enter Ben, Calvin and Theo.
Now when I go to visit my friend's for an evening of unhealthy, deliciously cheesey dips, and yelling at each other over the new Wii Mario game (we're in our twenties, I promise), I bring the dachshunds to basically ransack their house, charge through each room with reckless abandon, bark incessantly at the man of the house and root through anything below calf-height.
Sure they might not be 'registered', or 'qualified', or 'trained'. Sure they might not help people 'relax', or 'destress', or 'reflect'. But you know? For this one family, they bring a dose of dog that can never quite be forgotten and we leave with a smile on everyone's faces.
Except Theo. He doesn't contribute much good to the situation instead he spends the evening staring and honking at Burger the Hedgehog's cage. In fact, Theo is more likely to send that poor creature TO therapy rather than helping him find peace...
But overall...I'm confident that I'm one step closer to international dog-based fame.
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I can relate...I occasionally take my little sausage to local nursing homes for a visit.
On our most recent visit he managed to escape through a crack in a door and take his own little tour of the place. Me crashing through corridors yelling "come" at an unruly dachshund is not what I envisioned. I was mortified as he invited himself into people rooms and onto their beds!
But I have to say he did put a smile on the residents faces as they laughed at the little weenie in a sweater sprinting down hallways.
We are starting dog training classes next week!! :)
Ok, so this was funny- but you had a great point that therapy can be of many varities- just as you found out- and I think that is a good thing. So Calvin may not be perfect, but what dog is-- that's the therapy they are to us, to remind us to "chill out" and "go with the flow." Heck, we sausage dogs have a mind of our own to just do "our thing." Aren't we cute? Come on- you love us- we know you do!
Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Mine are not trained therapy dogs, but they spend a lot of time visiting with the residents of the nursing home across the street. The dogs love the attention and they love the dogs so it's a win-win.
Poor burger.
I have hopes that Dulcinea can one day be a therapy dog or help out in some way. She lacks some training and plus I don't think those sort of programs exist in Chile. One day though...for now she brightens the day of the doormen of our building and the little old ladies that live in the building.
love the hedgehog. and doxies are definitely therapeutic, even when they're yapping their heads off!
hugs,
b
Trickponies: Hahaha people do really love when we're thwarted by the little noodles.
Frankie: Amen. That's so totally true.
EV: That's so sweet. Theo would be a candidate for that sort of thing but I think Calvin needs too much time to warm up to people. He's my little therapy buddy though.
Tyffanie: I don't think I'll ever put mine through the training and accreditation but I'll settle for them being able to bring some fun into people's lives as we go!
Kaly: Ha! Therapeutic for some...
I've got the same sort of therapy dogs. I highly doubt that I will ever take them into a hospital to cheer patients up, but they're excellent therapy for me! There is very little that's as soothing as sitting on the couch with all three pups curled on and around me.
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