Working Dogs - Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police K9

Therapy Dogs

General Info / Articles of Interest

Therapy Dogs are used for the benefit, both physical and emotional, of people in hospitals, seniors’ residences, nursing homes, day care centres, special needs schools, psychiatric hospitals and many other places where people may be restricted from having pets. The medical profession has widely acknoweledged that stroking and petting animals can have a calming effect, lower blood pressure, and relieve tension.

Just about any dog of sound temperament can become a Therapy Dog. However, certain capabilities must be demonstrated such as accepting a friendly stranger, staying calm, sitting on command, and reacting well to other dogs and/or distractions.

Bralex's Dark Winter's Dream - Peggy Sue
Bralex’s Dark Winter’s Dream “Peggy Sue”
Qualified through St. John Ambulance and works in several nursing homes and with children with disabilities. Her temperament is wonderful and she is a true Therapy Dog in her affection for people.
Courtesy of: Bralex Perm. Reg’d. Labrador Retrievers

Associations & Organizations:

(Listed in alphabetical order.)

  • The Canadian Foundation for Animal-Assisted Support Services
    1010 Polytek St., Unit 14
    Ottawa, Ontario, K1J 9H9
    Toll Free: 1-888-473-7027
    E-mail: generalinfo@cf4aass.org
    Website address: www.cf4aass.org Vision Statement: Our vision is to be the philanthropic leader that sustains the innovation, coordination, and integration of Animal-Assisted Support Services within Canada’s health-care, social service, and justice sectors in order to improve the quality of life of people with physical, emotional, and social challenges.

    Mission Statement: Our mission is to improve the health and quality of life of people with physical, emotional, and social challenges through partnerships with companion and service animals.
     

  • East Central Therapy Dogs
    Located in Peterborough, Ontario and consisting of approximately 60 volunteer members who visit nursing and retirement homes in Peterborough, Minden and Haliburton, VON daycare centres, Community Living centres, local group homes and both locations of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
     


Glenannon Station Retrievers - Training Program

Glenannon Station Retrievers

E-mail: gsrbelmore2018@gmail.com
Phone: 519-357-7220
Website: www.gsrbelmore.com/new-enhanced-training-program

Offering an Enhanced Training program on select litters of our registered Golden Retriever puppies, in which the puppies remain in our care and training program until they are between 12-15 weeks of age. The training begins in the newborn stage, before puppies eyes and ears are open, using scent training; early neurological stimulation; and imitation training. This creates calm, balanced puppies who are able to think, understand, and problem solve. This helps us as breeders develop a blueprint for each puppy so we can target their training to their personality, which results in being able to shape their temperament appropriately.

The puppies in this program are well socialized to humans, animals, objects and sounds and have positive brain connections formed so they’re ready to learn specific roles for their working lives ahead.

Our Enhanced Training Program is based on the research and expertise of the founder of the Empowered Puppy Program. Pups who complete this program with us are ready for specialized training as therapy, support and service roles (such as blood sugar detection, scent detection for missing persons, PTSD, epilepsy and more).

For more information, please refer to our website www.gsrbelmore.com under Enhanced Training Program.

 

  • Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA)
    A non-profit organization and affiliate of the International Delta Society. The ITA specializes in providing animal-assisted therapy in the areas of physical, occupational, speech and psychotherapies, as well as special education. Volunteers are trained to provide pet-facilitated therapy in hospitals, schools, mental institutions, nursing facilities, detention homes, extended care centers, and other care-giving facilities.
     
  • Ottawa Therapy Dogs Inc.
    Ottawa Therapy Dogs Inc. is a volunteer-based organization providing animal-assisted activities and therapy with our members’ registered therapy dogs. We are a registered charity serving the National Capital region and Ottawa valley. Our members visit long term care facilities, hospitals, children’s treatment centres, summer programs, mental health centres, schools and libraries, and where they are most needed.
     
  • P.A.T.S. — Pacific Animal Therapy Society
    Operates as an active animal therapy program on southern Vancouver Island. Volunteers with pets regularly visit various levels of care in hospitals, homes, institutions, and schools. We participate in community events, parades, fairs, and displays. Our Pet Loss Support Line offers emotional support. New program, Paws & Tales, involves reading with pets in schools & libraries. Speakers are available to explain benefits of human / animal relationships.
     
  • Pacific Assistance Dog Society
    PADS’ mission is to raise and train dogs for people who are facing the daily challenges of life with a disability other than blindness, in order to provide a greater level of independence and an enhanced quality of life. Serving people in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
     
  • Pets and Friends
    Pets and Friends is BC’s oldest pet visitation program and is now celebrating its 25th year of operation. Serving the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia.
     
  • Therapeutic Paws of Canada — A volunteer based therapy dog visitation programme for senior’s facilities such as retirement homes, nursing homes, Alzheimer day away centers, hospitals and where there is a need.

Note: We are always in need of articles for the Working Dogs section of the website — Submissions are welcome and encouraged. Please feel free to e-mail us at info@canadasguidetodogs.com.

If you are part of a working dog group and would like to be included in the listings, please email us with details.

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Healers: The deeper impact
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