Therapy Dog Classes
Laurie Haake, owner of The Family Dog Center is certified to administer the Therapy Dog International test to certify teams of handlers & their dogs so they may be recognized
as a TDI team. We have several classes each year that will help you prepare for this test.
The use of
canines to help mankind is known throughout the world. They have been used for guarding flocks, tracking, hunting, search and rescue, leading the blind, and in assisting the deaf and physically
challenged. The bond between dog and man dates back to early history, but it wasn’t until recently that a correlation was acknowledged between this bond and the emotional health of humans. Studies
have shown that a person holding or petting an animal will cause a lowering of blood pressure, the release of strain and tension, and can draw out a person from loneliness and
depression.
An Overview
What is Therapy Dogs International?
Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and
registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are
needed.
When was TDI established?
TDI was founded in 1976 in New Jersey (Founder, Elaine
Smith).
What types of dogs are used?
TDI registers all breeds of dogs. Some dogs have pedigrees, while others have been adopted from local
shelters or are rescue dogs.
How many dogs are registered?
Year 2006, over 15,000 dogs and approximately 13,000 handlers are registered with
TDI.
Where do the dogs volunteer?
We have volunteer dogs and their handlers in all 50 states as well as some in
Canada.
What are the requirements for joining TDI?
To belong to Therapy Dogs International, Inc., all dogs must be tested and evaluated by a Certified TDI
Evaluator. A dog must be a minimum of one (1) year of age and have a sound temperament. Each dog must pass the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC), and a temperament evaluation for
suitability to become a Therapy Dog. The test will also include the evaluation of the dog's behavior around people with the use of some type of service equipment (wheelchairs, crutches,
etc.).
What are the health requirements?
We require our Health Record Form to be completed and signed by a licensed
veterinarian.
How is the organization funded?
TDI is a non-profit organization supported through annual membership
dues.
How is the organization managed?
Ursula A. Kempe, a full time volunteer President/CEO is directing the affairs and business office of
the organization. A volunteer Board of Directors** governs the organization.
How do I obtain more information?
Our mailing address is:
88 Bartley Road, Flanders, New Jersey 07836;
Tel: (973) 252-9800
Fax: (973) 252-7171
e-mail: tdi@gti.net
website: www.tdi-dog.org
Therapy Dogs International, Inc. ©
2006
History of TDI
Therapy Dogs
International, Inc. (TDI) was founded in 1976 by Elaine Smith, formerly of Hillside, NJ, now a resident of California. A registered nurse working in England, Smith observed the benefits of pets
interacting with patients. She noticed how the patients reacted to the daily visits of the chaplain and his companion, a Golden Retriever. Upon returning to the United States, Smith was determined to
bring the concept of pet therapy to health care facilities.
Elaine Smith with
Phila CDX (German Shepherd Dog), Ursula Kempe with Sam UDT, SCHIII FH (German Shepherd Dog) and Tippy UD (German Shepherd Dog), Madeleine Loos with OTCH Jodi (Collie), Ronn Loos (deceased) with Holli
UDTX (German Shepherd Dog) and John Makutus (deceased) with Ebony UDTX (German Shepherd Dog) were the first group to visit institutions and helped put into action Elaine Smith’s dream. Of those
living, all are still active Associate Members with TDI.
TDI was formed so
that dogs could be certified, insured and registered as volunteer Therapy Dogs. The goal of the organization is to unite and increase the number of available Therapy Dogs, give them the recognition
they deserve, and to alert hospitals and other institutions to the importance of “Therapy Dog visits to their patients.”
Milton Wynn (the
first president of TDI) and Elaine Smith were instrumental in drafting legislation in New Jersey, which was passed in 1984, allowing assistance dogs for people with disabilities all the same rights
as guide dogs, not to be confused with emotional service dogs (our TDI dogs).
Since the term
“Therapy Dog” has become a household word, confusion has arisen concerning these rights. Different organizations have been created, and some have copied Elaine Smith’s ideas and used the term
“Therapy Dog” or even “TDI.” Currently all dogs which are registered with TDI provide emotional service only! Laws in various states are confusing and often use the phrase “Therapy Dogs” to indicate
dogs that may or may not be dogs used for emotional service. Laws have to be read carefully as sometimes the legislators are not aware of the difference between an emotional service dog and an
assistance dog for people with disabilities. Emotional service dogs are the type of dogs which are registered with TDI. TDI dogs do not have the same rights as assistance dogs, which at times are
also referred to as Therapy Dogs.
The dogs used for
therapy work vary in size and type. They may not all be “pure-bred,” but they all have a love of people. As Elaine Smith has often said, “All Therapy Dogs have one thing in common. Their owners have
discovered Therapy Dogs International, Inc. and have the unselfish desire to help others, taking time to paws awhile for love.”
After years of
informal evaluations of potential Therapy Dogs, our Board of Directors decided that a more formal test was needed. At the same time, the American Kennel Club (AKC) was developing the Canine Good
Citizen Test (CGC). A board member of TDI served on the committee developing the CGC. The test was developed “to demonstrate that the dog, as a companion of man, can be a respected member of the
community.”
Before
certification to serve as a potential Therapy Dog, dogs and handlers must pass the Canine Good Citizen Test meeting our requirements, given by our special qualified, certified Evaluators. These
Evaluators all have years of experience working with dogs and experience with Therapy Dogs. Evaluators must submit a detailed resume of their dog and Therapy Dog activities to TDI and have to abide
by TDI’s rules and guidelines.
The organization,
which is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, now has an office located in Flanders, NJ, with a full-time paid staff. Funds for TDI come from the registration of the dogs and the Associate
Member dues. Donations and bequests are welcome.
TDI is the oldest
registry for Therapy Dogs in the United States, with dogs working in the US and Canada and some other countries.
TDI was founded
in the late 1970’s. In 1989, TDI was completely reorganized under the direction of the current volunteer President/CEO, Ursula A. Kempe.
The future goal
for TDI is to continue to bring joy and comfort to those in need, to improve all phases of operations, and to make more TDI dogs available by striving to improve and expand the relationship between
TDI and institutions, and individuals in need of emotional service dogs.
Therapy Dogs International, Inc. ©
2006
Copyright © 2002-2018
Family Dog Center
N3089 Hwy 16 LaCrosse, WI 54601
kennel@familydogcenter.com
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