Therapy dog evaluations

Hey Connie -- you know me.. what do you think?

I feel confident you could do it! I looked at the requirements and basically as long as the dog has good basic obedience, is good with strangers, and isn't freaked out by things like wheelchairs, walkers, and small children then the dog should be fine with the test.

I know we are going to try and put together a few practice sessions for everyone who enrolls.

I'm doing CGC through K9 Kollege in Beech Grove. Will passing CGC through the K9 Kollege make me a member of TDI? Or will I have to become a member once I've passed CGC?

Maverick
The TDI test is different than CGC. The TDI incorporates a lot of the same material, but it is more extensive of a test, so to be certified through Therapy Dogs International, you will also need to pass a TDI evaluation.

Here is a direct link to the TDI requirements

http://tdi-dog.org/tditesting.html

The only thing I don't like about TDI is that you have to pay and re-certify every year. Maddie passed both the CGC and TDI a couple years ago, but we have not really had an opportunity to use them since our hospital changed their policy. That was the main reason we got it to begin with! I would be interested in some refresher classes and seeing if we could re-certify. Are there places that others already go to, or who have contacted CIA about wanting certified dogs to come?

Melissa, the person putting this together, has some libraries that want her to put together a group of dogs that will assist during children's reading programs.

Too bad Miles gets nervous around other dogs (I'm working on it, but it's slow going) and in typical Basset fashion, doesn't always listen to commands. I've always thought he'd a good therapy dog, because he loves attention, and you can push, poke, and prod him without him caring.

OK, I asked Melissa about cost after reading Amy's post. Here is what she said:

"The exam costs 5.00
to take, and an additional 5.00 if you pass (to recoup cost of
application forms - TDI is a volunteer organization). You have to pay
a 35.00 fee each year by December 31st in order to retain your
certification. If you remain a current member, you do NOT need to
re-certify."

I finally made an account just so poor Connie would not have to e-mail me with everyone's questions.

The 35.00 annual fee for TDI covers volunteer insurance, a bandana, pet ID tag, ID badge(for handler) a DVD and very nice handbook.

Thanks for the info. Maybe it was different a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure that I received a letter saying that Maddie needed to retest. Of course I may have misunderstood. $35 is not too unreasonable.

Yeah, I'm not sure how things were done a few years ago. I've only been with TDI since December or so.

Also, for those that asked, I was asked to get a group of therapy dogs to visit 23 Indianapolis libraries on semi-regular basis.

So if any of you guys are interested in being evaluated, I will already have locations that are ready and waiting for you!

Wow, does that mean if I pass I get to learn to read!? I hope they read all the Lassie books first. But, if they read Old Yeller, I'm not hanging around.

Mom said we're going to give it a whirl. Roo -- not so much -- but I'm a people person. AND, it'll give Roo some time with me gone with a bonus of more Me & Mom time!

This is something I really want to do. Unfortunately I am pretty sure my cats would fail desperately!

Cats can actually be certified through Delta Society's Pet Partners program. They'd have to enjoy riding around in a basket though!