5 males and 2 females. They are used to help calm individuals who have lost their homes to disaster and bring joy to the lives of those who cannot leave their homes due to illness or injury. There is no one particular breed of dog used as therapy dogs. ... German Shepherd Breeder, Tryon, NC - Designed and managed by Life With Zeus. Search for: Latest Posts. Therapy dogs can also help with specific activities, such as helping children with autism practice reading aloud, or encouraging patients to participate in gentle physical activities. Sometimes, hospitals, nursing homes and schools have access to listings for therapy dogs in one’s particular area, and can help provide one with the information needed to become part of a therapy dog program. Owners may take their therapy dogs to visit hospitals, retirement homes, disaster areas, and schools. Many colleges and universities utilize the services of therapy dogs to help students overcome the anxieties suffered by their students during exam time. Some places require official certification before you and your dog can volunteer together. It is essential that your dog is socialized to feel comfortable in all settings, with all kinds of people, without ever showing fear or aggression. A therapy dog must maintain a calm demeanor in loud or crowded rooms, be able to focus despite distractions, and avoid jumping on people. A therapy dog handler is not given public access rights by any service dog laws to take the dog out everywhere like service dog users, because the handler does not have a disability the dog is individually trained to mitigate. But German Shepherds’ intelligence and affection also makes them perfectly suited to be therapy and emotional support dogs. Therapy dogs, on the other hand, are not used to provide physical assistance to the disabled, and are not designated in the Americans with Disabilities Act. When volunteering for therapy, always respect the comfort level of other people. With some dedicated time, German Shepherds can learn to be patient, quiet, and calm even in hectic settings. obedience training. The German Shepherd Dog (Deutshe Schäferhund) descends from the family of German herding dogs that, until the late 19th century, varied in type from district to district. Known as, “Therapy Fluffies,” the dogs were first introduced at the University of California in San Diego Office of Student Wellness in 2009. therapy companions If you ever find yourself or a friend in need of a therapy dog please contact Tara at 513-313-4779. "Click here to view German Shepherd Dogs in Florida for adoption. As PT service dogs, they can help patients needing physical therapy to recover quickly by simply engaging in a play. Keep reading to find out more about German Shepherd service dogs, how to train them, and how to get one if you need one. A simple catch and fetch game can improve a patientâs mobility and regaining muscle strength. (2018). The German Shepherd Dog is also a terrific therapy dog in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, and 'reading with rover' childrens' library programs. We have had pups that have become Search and Rescue dogs, Certified Therapy Dogs, One of our therapy dogs was used for children with cancer through Create a Smile. The study conducted also suggested that therapy dogs could help increase levels of dopamine, which is a chemical produced by the brain that is associated with happiness, and that the use of therapy dogs can also lower the stress hormone, cortisol. If you have a German Shepherd or have always loved them, and you’re thinking about getting a therapy animal or emotional support animal, the pairing could be perfect. Therapy Dogs International (TDI) or Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, and other similar organizations can provide information about where one can find a suitable therapy dog. Trainers know to look for dogs that are naturally gentle and tolerant of other animals. Rotterbarental GSD has also donated multiple German Shepherd puppies to the Guide Dogs of the Desert for the blind and also donated a Service Dog for a victim of a violent crime. Therapy dogs have been proven to reduce stress, as well as to help people work towards social and communicative goals. You may be able to find a local organization that offers therapy dog training and certification. There are other organizations, as well, that specialize in certifying and training therapy dogs, such as Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. The animals can help eliminate the adverse affects of loneliness and feelings of anxiety in the elderly, can bring comfort to hospitalized children or children who have lost their parents. Steer clear of working breeds, herding or hunting dogs. A systematic approach to using therapy dogs was started by a registered nurse in England, who noted the improved demeanors of patients who were allowed to have contact with dogs while confined in the hospital. A therapy dog is a dog specially trained to provide emotional comfort, affection, and support to people through volunteering. See more ideas about German shepherd dogs, Dogs, Shepherd dog. For an emotional support dog, the individual connection with the owner is especially important. Therapy dogs play important roles in the lives of individuals who are hospitalized, confined to retirement or nursing homes, in hospices and in schools far away from their homes and loved ones. Vince Deschene hopes Kaiser can keep helping. After the age of one year, therapy dogs undergo a rigorous training period by specially instructed trainers, in which the dog is tested for tolerance, good temperament, obedience and other qualities that are desirable in dogs used for therapeutic purposes. Letâs start with the fact that theyâre intelligent. Characteristics prized by trainers of therapy dogs are qualities of friendliness, patience, confidence, and the ability to remain calm and gentle. Emotional support dogs are a little different from a therapy animals, although both use a similar skill set. German Shepard puppy pulls double duty by training to be both a therapy and security dog at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township. German Shepherds are incredibly smart, which means they can be trained to do almost anything. Mahtomedi Therapy Dog Needs Own Therapy. Home â Therapy dogs . They come in all breeds and sizes, but must be particularly capable of showing good temperament. Once the training has been completed, an organization called, “Therapy Dogs International” (TDI) administers tests and evaluates each animal before registering it as an official therapy dog. - ⥠RESCUE ME! USCA Southeast Regional hosted by Piedmont Schutzhund Club. The two most important foundations of German Shepherd therapy dog training are temperament and obedience. Any empathic dog would do. The dog became Corporal Wynne’s constant companion and accompanied him on a number of dangerous combat missions. Veterinarians are also another source of information about where to find therapy dogs, as are various therapists and doctors. KRIEGHUND FARM is located in Nebraska and breeds high quality, beautiful, health tested German Shepherd Dogs. ST PAUL, Minn. â A prized German Shepherd therapy dog stolen from a family on St. Paul's east side is home where he belongs Friday. A number of different animals can become emotional support animals, including cats, pigs, rabbits, ferrets, and birds. Here are a few reasons why a German Shepherd will make a good therapy dog: German Shepherd is an Intelligent Dog Breed: German Shepherd is an insightful breed of dog and this is the reason a vast lionâs share of police dogs are German Shepherd. Aside from curing loneliness and depression regular visits from a lovable pooch can lower blood pressure, lower heart rates and ease the effects of Alzheimerâs among seniors. Although theyâre more popular as service animals, they have a couple of traits that make them ideal for this role. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. You’ll have to prepare your dog through regular socialization: visiting dog parks, public parks, friends’ homes, and public areas. Your dog should be able to sit, stay, heel, and lay down. ⥠۬ It’s important to get to know the individual dog’s temperament to see if they’ll be a good fit. Service dogs are used for the blind and others who need physical assistance to function better because of a disability. Contents & Quick Navigation Can German Shepherds be Service Dogs? German Shepherds are incredibly smart, which means they can be trained to do almost anything. These dogs are anything but difficult to oversee and can get the hang of anything actually rapidly. World Class German Shepherd Dogs AKC Breeder of Merit Saint Peter, Minnesota www.sablerockgsd.com 2000-2020 Last updated Nov 25th 2020. Because German Shepherds are such athletic dogs, you will have to be careful when training them about distinguishing between playtime and therapy time. In 2010, the SCAS Journal published an article entitled, “Animal Assisted Therapy in Mental Health” that suggested that patients who interact with therapy dogs can reach increased levels of oxytocin, which is associated with emotional bonding. After his owner, Vince Deschene, retired, he trained Kaiser to become a therapy dog. German Shepherds excel at this kind of training when worked with consistently. To obtain these rights, you need a letter from your doctor authorizing you to have an emotional support dog. It is important to note, however, that emotional support animals are distinct from service animals, which have access protected by law. The dog became Corporal Wynneâs constant companion and accompanied him on a number of dangerous combat missions. Goslar is a Therapy Dog with @PAWSforPeople.org Hormone replacement therapy is generally considered successful in German shepherds, but the effect of the therapy lasts as long as the hormones remain in your dog's system. From dog sports like rally, agility, or scent work to therapy work to guide dog work, German Shepherds can do it all. If you’re interested in volunteering at a specific facility, try asking them if they work with a particular therapy dog organization. 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