2008 Free Therapy Dog Overview Seminars
NO ADVANCE REGISTRATION NECESSARY - JOIN US
Dates: Wednesdays, January 2, February 13, April 2, May 28, August 20, October 8
Time: 7:00 pm. to 9:00 pm
Where: Twin Cities Obedience Training Club.
What: Lecture, demonstrations, videos and handouts explain the basics of therapy animal work and explore the rewarding activity of visiting people with your pet.
Learn:
- its rewards & successes,
- what it really involves
- what you and your pet need to know
- what time commitments are expected
- how to choose a facility to visit
- what training is available and where
- how to decide if this is something you would like to do
Bring your dog if s/he can tolerate being in a room with several other dogs. We will evaluate whether your pet has enough obedience training to be able to register for our therapy animal classes. Puppies welcome as well – the exposure is good.
Species other than dogs accepted for training with prior approval from Carol.
Questions: Call Carol Ouhl, home evenings 651-769-2578 or email at carolsusarbat1@aol.com
2008 Therapy Animal Class Schedule
Class Start Dates
All classes are one hour long, once a week for 7 weeks.
Classes begin: January 8, February 26, April 15, September 2, October 1
All Level I classes start at 6:30 p.m. at TCOTC
Cost
Level I: TCOTC Members: $85.00 Assessment for eligibility given at free overview seminar
Non-members: $100.00 Assessment for eligibility given at free overview seminar (non-member fee includes required annual TCOC membership fee of $15.)
Level II: $90.00 (Successful completion of Level I)
Level III: $40.00 (Successful completion of Level II)
All first time students must begin with the Level I Class.
Questions
Contact Instructor, Carol Ouhl, telephone: 651-769-2578 after 5:30 pm. email: carolsusarbat1@aol.com
Download Class Descriptions and Overview
Download 2008 Registraton Form and Schedule
Class Descriptions
AT-1: Beginner Visiting Dog Training
6:30 p.m. @ Twin Cities Obed. Club
For the Handler and/or dog having some obedience and little or no experience with therapy dog training.
Through hands-on practice, review of video tapes, study of homework sheets, and individual instructor attention, this weekly course will cover the correct methods for:
- Introduction to medical equipment
- Beginner, Low Impact, Body Desensitizing
- Evaluation Steps to Beginning Assessment of dog/population match
- Etiquette for visiting handlers and dogs
- Evaluation Steps to Beginning Stress Assessment for dog and handler
- How to employ articles found in every home to train for exposure to visiting situations and medical equipment
- How to choose where to visit
- Beginning therapy dog maneuvers such as head down, hold still, let's visit
- What level of involvement should your animal have
Pre-requisites to enter this class:
Must be able to walk on a loose leash without dragging to see other dogs
Dog must be at least 18 months old.
Class size limited to 10.
It is NOT anticipated that animal / handler completing this initial course will be ready for evaluation by a national organization.
Cost: $85.00 members
$100.00 nonmembers
AT-2: Intermediate Visiting Dog Training
7:30 p.m. @ Twin Cities Obed. Club
Pre-Requisite: Successful completion of AT-1. For the handler who wishes to learn more advanced maneuvers for their dog and polish their skills.
Through hands on practice, interactive situations, review of video tapes, study of homework sheets, and individual instructor attention, this weekly course will cover the correct methods for:
- More intense involvement with medical equipment and use of at home articles
- Novice, Medium Impact, Body Desensitizing
- Individual problem solving to optimize individual dog / handler team skills
- Handling difficult situations
- Introduction Steps to Reducing Stress for dog and handler
- More Advanced visiting dog maneuvers such as: avoiding IV tubes, right side,
- Equipment to take to visits
- Preparation for national evaluation
- Observation of actual visits
Pre-requisites to enter this class:
Successful Completion of AT-1
Class size limited to 10.
Completion of this course should have the animal / handler team ready for evaluation by a national therapy dog organization.
Cost: $90.00 members
AT-3: Advanced Visiting Dog Training
8:30 p.m. @ Twin Cities Obed. Club
AT-3 is a continuation of situational practice needed for confident visiting.
Animal / handler teams are presented with a variety of interactive situations that simulate those encountered on visits. Individual instructor attention will help the team problem solve these situations for effective, safe visiting.
- Advanced Impact, Body Desensitizing
- Assessment of dog / population match
- Prof. Standards of Practice as they apply to incorporating animals as a treatment modality
- Handling various situations dealing with different diseases, illnesses, disabilities.
Pre-requisites preferred:
Successful completion of AT-2
Agreement to participate in and help with upcoming therapy animal evaluations
Fee for this class is $40 for 7 weeks to provide the accomplished, trained team with simulated visiting situations and problems to gain confidence and a broad level of expertise.
It is anticipated that during this class, the team will actually begin visiting with an experienced team mentoring.
Class limited to 5.
Cost: $40.00
More Information
MN Therapy Animal website - an organization dedicated to improving communication and camaraderie with all visiting teams in the state.