A Retired Therapy Dog Makes an Encore Performance

This is my eldest Golden Retriever, Xena, who was probably the most wonderful therapy dog I have ever had the pleasure to know. She and I worked together in Galveston, TX at Hope Therapy, where I coordinated their Animal Assisted Therapy program. Now, at the age of 10, she is making an encore visit!!

It was wonderful to see Xena excited about returning to "work". As we entered the skilled nursing facility where I work, she trotted alongside me, tail in the air and wagging, and a big "grin" on her face. As is typical of Xena, as each client came into our therapy room, Xena was the first to greet them with a wag of her tail and a sniff of their hand. As you can see here, Xena likes to be with people and really enjoys love and attention. Another trademark Xena behavior is to carry around a soft toy in her mouth. Here, she's managed to find Chief's toy and proceeded to bring it to each resident for them to throw.

It's always hard to retire a therapy dog such as Xena, but the decision was made that she was getting older and starting to develop arthritis. Visiting people on slick floors runs the risk of slipping for her, and I was not willing to take that risk for her. I retired her about 2 years ago, but as you can see...it's in her blood!!

If you look at the pictures on my website and see pictures of Golden Retrievers, most likely they are pictures of Xena at work. Take a moment to look at her in action....I am quite proud to say that she is my dog!

Tammy

Chief Woo's the Veterinary Clinic

Therapy dogs must be in very good health to visit with clients in different settings. There are specific health standards that must be followed for the dogs to enter different facilities. Jumpstart Therapies follows the guidelines established by Delta Society's Pet Partners program (www.deltasociety.org), which is a world renowned visiting animal program. Although it is not required, bi-annual veterinary visits are recommended to ensure that the dog is not only up to date on vaccinations but also make sure it does not have any major health concerns. Typical health standards only require annual visits, but I feel strongly that it is my responsibility to the people we visit to make sure our dogs are in excellent health. As you know, there are diseases that can be passed from humans to animals and animals to humans. One of the goals of these health standards is to prevent such transmissions.

Prior to adoption, Golden Beginnings made sure that Chief was current on his vaccinations. This visit with Chief to the vet was to establish him with the clinic and to get his flea and heartworm preventative. As you can see...Chief had a GRAND time!! He was self-assured and quite brave to go into the back with the staff for his heartworm test...I was so proud of him!!

Okay, Chief....let the ladies get back to work!!

Tammy

Crate Training

I know, I know, I know....maybe this is a little excessive...but I was just showing him how this soft crate is so spacious!! Believe it or not, in the previous picture, my 2 other golden retrievers were trying to get in here with us. We managed 2 1/2 dogs, plus me! Now THAT'S roomy!!!

I think having a dog that is crate trained is important. The crate can serve several purposes: a place to make sure they are safe when you are gone; a way to give the dog privacy in a busy environment; and a way to facilitate house training and introduction of other pets.

Luckily for me, Chief had already been crate trained by his previous owners...so the process was easy to re-introduce. A few simple sessions with the clicker, and he goes right into his "house". His previous owners had used the phrase "go to your house", and he still responds to that with good reliability. We did learn, however, that Chief has a bit of separation anxiety in newer environments (something which I am hoping to help overcome with increased exposure and socialization). Let's just say, better reinforcement on the zippered door is necessary. We've since decided that a hard kennel or wire kennel is more appropriate in the office. (Sorry Kelly--it was a brand new kennel that he pushed through. The one featured here is my travel kennel for one of my Goldens. He and I were just playing around in this photo.)

Tammy

Who Said Baths Were in the Contract??

Well, Chief....sorry, but yes, baths are in the contract. Look at the fine print; you'll find it. It's right next to the bones and chewies clause.

Bathing is part of your training process, Chief. We need to know that baths won't stress you and the reason is simple. Our therapy program follows the policies and procedures of the Delta Society's Pet Partner program. Their standards state that prior to every visit, a dog must demonstrate proper grooming and health standards. This means, that within 24 hours of a visit, you will need a bath. When we look at stress levels and the dog's management of stress, we start with the entire preparation process, including the bath. Some dogs become so stressed during baths that the effects last for several hours to a day later. If the dog is already under stress before visiting, the likelihood of an incident occurring or the dog not enjoying the visit is increased significantly. But, if the dog is more comfortable with baths, we still have to consider the potential stress but it is less likely to carry over into the therapy visit.

If you have a dog who is reluctant to take a bath, treats are always a good starting point. I have just reinforced getting into and out of the bathtub quietly and calmly with clicker training and turned that into a training sessions. For some dogs, it's the slippery tub that causes concern. A bath mat under the dog can help reduce this stress. For other dogs, it is the water. Positive reinforcement of standing in the tub with water running can be the next step. I've also given treats during baths for good behavior and a relaxed body posture. The last step of the process would be having a treat at the ready for when he/she has successfully completed the bath. Several treats or a "jackpot" can help make the once negative situation positive.

So, Chief, get used to it buddy! You're going to have a few more of these in the coming days!

Tammy

Learning the "Obstacles" of Therapy

Chief and I spent some time in our therapy gym, getting used to some of the equipment and making up our own games. Chief is learning fast that things aren't as scary as initially thought. It's fun to watch him explore the room, nose something, wait for the reaction, then mentally tell himself..."see, it's no big deal" as he prances around.

Today, while we were in the gym, I used the opportunity to expose him to some of the obstacles that we use when our kids move through obstacle course. Here we are practicing going over a jump, using the command "over", with the eventual goal of me being at a distance from Chief as he maneuvers the jump himself. I'm working on basic agility course with him, hoping that when he's in therapy, he and the child can go through the course together. This photo was staged, as the camera was not cooperating with us and Chief was losing interest in the jump. Who said technology was to make things more convenient???

By the end of our session, I was able to take Chief off leash, set him up about 5 feet behind the jump in a sit position and give the command "over". He would jog alongside me, and go over the jump without me having to go with him. The last time, he cleared it with a little twist and attitude at the end...almost his own little "tah-dah", which earned him a HUGE jackpot!!!

I can't say in words just how fun this dog is to work with. His energy and attitude (outside the occasional bossiness during training when he gets bored) is really intoxicating!! Chief is just a joy to have around this clinic. Again, I thank Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue for steering us toward this little (well, big) guy. He's truly a amazing!

Now, if I could just get him to clean up his toys.....(maybe next week!) :)

Tammy

This Training Stuff is Fun But Exhausting!!

Kids Ride What???

Tammy...what is that scary thing??????

Today's lesson....riding toys!!

An important aspect of the training process is making sure the dog is comfortable around different equipment they may encounter in a rehabilitation environment. In a hospital setting this may include walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen and other medical equipment, sliding doors, elevators, etc. The same is true in a pediatric setting, but the equipment may change form a bit. Much of what we do in pediatric therapy is play therapy, involving the use of different types of children's equipment (seen here). I chose this scooter because it is used often, has moving parts, makes noise, and quite frankly, is the only toy that could fit me!

To make it a positive experience, I clicked and treated Chief each time he initially looked at me while on the toy, then when he moved closer to me on the toy, and finally, when he was relaxed and interacting with me while on the toy. As he learned it was fine stationary, we advanced to the toy moving around him. At first, he was hesitant, but the treats and thought of getting a treat soon won over the thoughts of this "scary thing" attacking him. One thing I can say about Chief...once he accepts something as "okay", it truly is! He was acclimated to this toy in less than 10 min, and when shown it again later, he wagged his tail and sniffed it. That reaction earned him another treat.

We will do this process with many of the toys and equipment we use in our therapy gym, as that is where he will be working the majority of the time. I think that Chief will accept them as quickly as he did this toy. I'll be there to help him along the way.

I think he likes this style of learning!!

Tammy

Goodbye and Good Luck!!

Today, I wished an old friend well in her new adventure! Onyx, my first foster dog, has been matched with her human partner, Hannah. I had the privilege to see the two work today...and it was the most rewarding (and yes, sad) moment of my life! Since that little black bundle of energy came into my life, just the mere mention of her name brings joy to my face. Onyx has a heart unlike any other...she's a very unique little individual. To see her so happy, and knowing that she is happy doing what she was put on this Earth to do...makes me immensely happy!

Onyx, I will always cherish those moments when you snuck up onto my bed and snuggled with me as I slept...waking me to large back feet in my face and a little pink belly waiting to be rubbed. I will remember our trips to Home Depot with a little smile on my face, as you tried so hard to be patient! I know...it was hard for a girl on the go!!! You are the eternal "hover-er".

Now, you are off to new adventures...and I wish you luck! Hannah...you will be the PERFECT partner for Onyx!

Love always to you both!

Tammy

Learning the ABCs of Therapy

AAT in Action!

I am constantly amazed at the creativity level of my colleagues. This photo is Paula, our COTA, who is working with a young girl with developmental delays. She is working on developmental positioning with this child, as well as developing protective extension and prone extension. Prone extension is usually what we call "superman" position or flying. It helps develop core and back strength. Protective extension is the ability to protect oneself if our body falls to one side (forward, side or backward). As we grow and develop, this protective mechanism develops. However, when children with developmental delays don't through the developmental milestones, this protection is sometimes not developed, as well. It is an essential mechanism for keeping us from being hurt. Instead of using a bolster, as we would traditionally, Paula has decided to use Zeus. That....is creativity at it's finest!!!

Training Time = Watch Everything!

What goes into training a therapy dog??

That is the question of the week. I wish I could sum it up in one concise sentence, but I can't. Training a therapy dog does not happen overnight, and it takes the right kind of dog with the right kind of temperament. There are many aspects of Chief's training that I would like to discuss, but for this post, I will limit it to temperament.

The biggest thing that we look for in a therapy dog is their temperament. Although obedience is essential, temperament is a MUST! When selecting a therapy dog, you want to select a dog that inspires confidence in the people who interact with him. You also want a dog who is predictable and controllable. A dog who shy away from touch, avoids interaction with people, or has no interest in engaging in interactions is not appropriate for therapy. You want a dog who enjoys being with people, who seeks attention and attempts to engage a person in an interaction, and one that makes a person feel "like they hung the moon" (to quote Chief's foster "Dad"--Chat).

Why is temperament important? Many of the people we visit are experiencing some sort of trauma, change in role, change in situation, loss, or illness. Emotional strains are not uncommon in these instances. Often, the animals during a therapy visit take the person's mind off their situation or return them to memories that bring them joy and happiness. For this reason, you want a dog who will facilitate this emotional response. The dog can help inspire confidence in the person and their perception of what is happening--from their own skill performance to future outlook. A dog who seeks interaction from people has the potential to help a patient (client) improve their self esteem.

The way we evaluate temperament is to see the dog in a variety of environments. I chose to take Chief with me to these 2 facilities to see how he would do. I wanted to see what his response in a novel situation would be, as well as if there were any noticeable differences between the environments. I wanted to see how Chief would handle "scary" things coming at him and how quickly he recovers from stress. The only way to really understand it is to set up simulations or go into the environment.

In both environments, I allowed Chief to dictate his role in the interaction. For the most part, he sat back and observed. I noticed that he was not disengaged from what was occurring in his environment, but he was certainly "taking it all in". From my opinion, Chief seemed more confident in the pediatric clinic than he did at the nursing home. I have given careful consideration to the differences between the two and his responses. This is what I have learned about Chief's temperament:

• Chief needs to feel in control of the interaction. He doesn't like to have someone else decide for him, that he is going to interact. When given the choice, Chief will choose to be with people rather than be away from them. But if he feels that he is being controlled, he pulls away. This is a very important realization to know for the pediatric clinic, as it is often unpredictable. We will need to make sure that we set up the environment in such a way that the interactions can be somewhat controlled and predictable for him.
• I also learned that Chief develops strong bonds....quickly!!! He is already extremely bonded with me. We will have to work on separating from me for periods of time, so as not to develop a separation anxiety. This will involve lots of positive reinforcement for relaxed body positions when I am away from him.
• Chief is SMART! He picks up new behaviors quickly and also becomes quite bored quickly. He will be a good activity dog for our high activity children.
• Chief can recover from "scary" events but he needs a little reassurance. I noticed that loud equipment seems to startle him. I noticed this more at the nursing home than I did at the pediatric clinic. This is something that can be easily managed through socialization and exposure to different things.
• Chief is also sound sensitive. Different sounds seem to trigger a startle response in him. This is something that can be managed through positive reinforcement for response during training.
• One thing that will be harder to manage in his response to non-verbal body language. There are times when different body positions seem to trigger a fear response in Chief. It is a response I have seen in a dog who has been punished for bad behavior. I think this can be managed through positive reinforcement, as well, but is hard to predict. It is evident that Chief wants to please!!!
• The last thing I noticed is very similar to the children I treat who have sensory processing disorder. Many of these kids need activities to "prepare" them for challenging tasks. Chief is no different. I found quickly that a good training session or playing ball in the yard helped him manage within the environment with more success. If we had a short session with the ball, he was much more animated, approaching people, and confident in his own skin in the office. It was as if the activity helped him "shake off" the stress...and this is a good observation!! Having this knowledge, reinforcing it, and providing Chief with this activity prior to (and during) a therapy session will definitely set him up for success!!

I think this discovery process is always the most fun of any new relationship, especially with a dog. You learn so much, and much of what you learn can be managed, if addressed early on. Now that we know some of Chief, we can set him up for success. But, learning is a daily thing...and as we go along, we will make mistakes but also successes!

Tammy

Chief and His Adoring Fans

After our visit to the pediatric clinic, Chief and I made our way to the nursing home (my other job). By this time, he had overcome any uncertainty and seemed just eager to explore the possibilities. As we walked in the door, I could hear the "ooos" and "ahhs" starting...."look at that pretty dog!" or "Tammy...what is that with you??" Chief just trotted along beside me, seemingly aware that he was the center of attention (and I know he was enjoying it!).

Throughout the course of the afternoon, different residents took their turn engaging Chief in his favorite game--toss/catch the ball. This activity was perfect for my treatment session, as most of my residents were working on increasing their upper extremity range of motion or strengthening their arms. People who typically avoid activity because it is discomforting to their shoulders were throwing the ball across the room for Chief to jump and catch. Excitedly (and in his own doggy way asking for more) Chief would chomp the ball as he returned it to me and the resident. After a few re-directions, Chief learned that I wanted him to return the ball to the resident, encouraging them to lean forward (working on postural control and balance) and reach for the ball (working on strength and range of motion). A couple of times, we were able to get Chief to do his "I Love You" for the ball...which erupted the room into laughs and coos of love.

The company of Chief was extremely important to one gentleman, who received news on Thursday that his dog had been taken to the shelter while was recuperating at the nursing home. The last few days since that news had been very traumatic for this man, as his dog was his only companion. A friend had been caring for the dog in his absence and when she arrived to feed him, discovered the gate to his backyard open and the dog missing. A neighbor made her way over to tell this caregiver that, just that morning, Animal Control had picked up the dog. After several phone calls, our resident was able to track down the shelter where his dog was taken and convinced them to hold the dog until he could make arrangements to have a friend pick it up. The reason I say that Chief's presence was important for this gentleman was observed in Chief's careful position next to this man. Despite his position in the corner of the room, Chief made sure that he laid on the floor within reach, so that as he felt like it, the man could reach down and give Chief a little pat. Even though it was not his own dog, this man later told me that Chief had filled that emptiness for the short time that he was there.

That is what Animal Assisted Therapy is all about....!

Tammy

Chief's First Day at Work

When Chief woke this morning, I don't think he had any idea of the fun that was just around the corner. He wandered outside to do his "business", ate his breakfast, and was just settling in to a good "chewie" when I grabbed his leash. Ears perked and attention fully on me, he followed me to the car and jumped into the backseat. Soon, we were on our way to our first adventure.

Our first stop, KidzTherapeze. We arrived about 15 minutes prior to my first patient, just enough time for Chief to gather his bearings, meet the staff, and discover the new stuffed toys waiting for him. Although I had intended to wait a few days to introduce Chief to kids, my planned had a few holes in it. My boss, who was to dog sit while I was in session, hadn't shown up yet, so I had to take Chief into the treatment room with me. Much to my excitement (and yes, surprise), both Chief and the child became instant good friends. Michael (seen here) usually has difficulty with direction following and attention to task, but he was able to maintain focus on the task with the dog for 15 min without redirection--a HUGE accomplishment for Michael. It was a very cute session. Chief looked on as Michael sat on the floor and practiced his mazes and scissor skills. There was mutual interest and respect from both of the "boys". It was a very nice start to his day.

After Michael, we also visited with another young boy who has not been officially diagnosed with Autism, but meets much of the criteria. Together, we sat on the floor with Chief, and I went through Misha's routine of brushing his body with the Wilbarger technique, followed by joint compressions. Misha then proceeded to attempt to brush Chief in much the same manner as I had just done him. I have a song that I sing when I brush Misha ("brush, brush, brush your leg...brush it up and down...brush it here...brush it there, brush it all around"--to Row Row Row Your Boat). Usually, Misha tries to sing the song but his words are intelligible. Today, after I was done brushing him, he took the brush from my hand and began to brush Chief, singing (and I kid you not) "brush brush brush the dog, brush it up and down". It was VERY cute!!

After we were done treating kids, Chief and I did a few training sessions. We practiced retrieving/dropping toys on cue, scooting, and spins. Chief is a quick learner and is showing very quick ability to retain learning from previous sessions. It's very exciting to work with a dog who is a quick learner and will move (yes, I found a way to get past the automatic sit!!)

Next post will talk about Chief at the nursing home.

Tammy

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Chief is enjoying the weekend. We've had a few training sessions, but this is all I have seen all afternoon. It truly is a lazy Sunday afternoon!

Tammy

"Put Treats Here"

As I was chatting with the volunteers from Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue, they showed me something I never knew about Chief or any other dog, for that matter. Chief came with his own instructions.

"The black spot on his tongue...do you know what that means?" they asked me. "It's his instructions. It means 'Put treats here!'"

Now, as we have started his clicker training, I have realized...this is the TRUTH!!! Chief is all about training and learning! The faster you put the treats on that black spot, the more he wants to do. He is a very smart boy who likes his training. The meatier the treat, the better!

Clicker training is a form of training using a box clicker to mark the exact behavior that the trainer wants the dog to perform. It's based on reinforcing consequences of behavior, using positive reinforcement. I started the initial steps of clicker training with Chief and soon realized, he has either had previous exposure to this...or he's one BRIGHT DOG!! Within a few minutes, Chief had a clear understanding of what the sound of the clicker meant, as well as had the basic behavior of "touch" down to a tee. I moved from touching my hand to touching a small target, with the hopes of later translating this to touching an object away from him. Chief also learned a new behavior, called "spin" this morning during breakfast. I had to lure him into the behavior to get him to intially perform it, but within several trials, I was able to fade the lure quite a bit and start to add the cue to indicate the behavior. My initial wondering has now been answered...Chief is a VERY SMART BOY!!

My goal for Chief's training is for him to have a "toolbox" of different behaviors that we can utilize in therapy sessions with children. The behaviors will both functional as well as "tricks" that have hand signals that the patient can give to the dog to perform the behavior. Some of the more functional behaviors include scooting, backing up, climbing onto a table/mat, side stepping, laying down, sitting, crawling, raising a paw, touching an object, opening / closing a cabinet, retrieving objects, holding objects in his mouth, etc. Some of the tricks include play bow, waving, spinning, turning light on/off, jumping hurdles, crawling through tunnels, vocalizing on command, etc. These behavioral repetoire can be used to work on different therapy goals in a treatment session. Sessions will include children who are receiving physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy.

I am hoping that within 6 months, Chief will be ready for his job as a therapy dog. Given his previous training history and his temperament, he may be ready sooner! It will all depend on how well I follow my "instructions" I've been given!! :)

This is going to be a fun adventure!!

Tammy

Arrival of a Therapy Dog

I drove to Houston yesterday to pick up Chief from his foster family. He greeted me at the door, carrying his large red Jolly ball in his mouth, quickly to be traded out for soft toys of different shapes and sizes. His foster "sisters", Trudy and Chloe seemed sad to see their foster brother leave. Chloe and Chief seemed to have developed a bond in such a short time, wrestling and chasing around the floor. It was cute to see the interplay as each would "steal" the toy from the other and bring it to one of us. Trudy (much like my Xena) seemed happy that her house was going to return to normal--but despite this sense of relief, I could tell that Trudy enjoyed the tall, handsome blonde stranger who had invaded their house for such a short time.

I have to say, Chief could not have had a better foster experience than with Chat and Bethany. He was their first foster with Golden Beginnings, and as I watched them interact, it was evident that Chief adored them!! What a wonderful testimony to the caliber of volunteers that Golden Beginnings recruit!! It gave me a sense of comfort knowing that this beloved dog, Chief, was loved and cherished by these two--even if it was for a short time. I give them sole credit for making his transition from the only home he has known into the unknown a wonderful experience. Chat and Bethany, you are truly "Golden Guardian Angels"!

The other amazing thing I have to say about Chat and Bethany...they truly know Chief!! As predicted, as soon as we were out of the drive, Chief was sitting in the front seat next to me, with his paw on my arm. For about the first 5-10 mins., he sat erect in the seat with his brown eyes boaring holes into the side of my head as we drove 610N around downtown Houston. As we veered onto 290W toward Austin, he changed positions so that his head was rested behind my shoulders. I could sense that Chief was sad and uncertain of things, but he never whined or showed any other signs of distress. Together we drove the 2.5 hours, him either nuzzled behind me or with his paw on my arm. He wanted to be close...he needed that reassurance that things would be "okay" in his ever changing world.

As we pulled into my driveway, I strategized how I would introduce my 3 dogs to Chief without him feeling completely overwhelmed. I decided we would have introductions in the backyard, so as I gathered my dogs from their crates, I left Chief in the backyard to explore. Intial introductions were as expected. He was carefully inspected from head to toe by my "girls" and my only male dog, Jinx. Instantly, I could tell that Xena loved him. Her tail was wagging incessently, with her eyes soft and full of "golden love" that is her trademark look. Abbey was a little put off, because Chief didn't bounce around with her as she expected. (Abbey, of course, realizes that the world does revolve around her...and anyone and everyone should automatically realize this fact, too!) Jinx was indifferent...but that's Jinx.

I grabbed some toys and tennis balls for some late evening backyard romping. Abbey happily chased her tennis ball around, while Jinx did his "border patrol" looking for "illegal squirrel/cat immigrants", and Chief and Xena were glued to my side. Despite my efforts, I could NOT get Chief to chase the ball. I had hoped that we could work out some of the "kinks" from the long car ride. By accident, I tossed the ball for Chief and was surprised to find that he had hidden springs in his back legs!! He was a golden/saluki "Air Bud", leaping and flipping for the tennis ball. After about 30 min. of activity, all of the dogs' tongues where hanging out the sides of their mouths, and we went inside.

Our first training project, I have decided, is to acclimate Chief to cats. It became quite apparent that he had never seen them before. Gabriel, my normally talkative, interactive, and friendly cat, gave Chief one dirty look, and Chief was plastered against either myself or the wall. He made a large arch to get away from Gabriel, only to run into Frazier, my happy go-lucky tabby cat. Frazier displayed no interest in Chief, but still...Chief was taking no chances. He scurried to the back of the house, only to come out with coaxing and several food treats. The sadness about this interaction is that as soon as Chief realized the cats were merely bluffing, his lack of interest turned into "ahhh.....something to chase!" The first attempt to grab Gabriel's back leg was indication to me that baby steps toward introduction was absolutely necessary.

My philosophy of cat/dog interaction is that it can be done through persistence, positive reinforcement, and understanding of each party's situation. This was the cat's "turf", and I have to realize that Chief needs to respect that he is invading their space. At the same time, their safety is of my utmost concern. For this reason, the cats were relocated to the office with the door closed for the weekend. Brief interaction periods with Chief in a down position and being offered treats for redirecting his attention to me instead of the cats were the first step in the training process. Chief has also been tethered to me on leash, so that he quickly learns I am the person who he is to listen to, as well as being able to manage the interactions. I do believe that dogs need to establish themselves in the pack, but when you have an established pack, it is also the person's responsibility to help the new dog assimilate slowly.

Our first night ended with 4 very tired dogs and 2 humans squished together in a queen sized bed. I don't think Chief moved all night long. In fact, the several times I woke to check on him, he was in the same sleeping position, belly up, head toward the foot of the bed, and one paw slightly extended up. Not too bad for a first night, eh?

We'll see what morning brings....
Tammy

Meet Chief!!

Jumpstart Therapies and KidzTherapeze would like to introduce you to our newest therapist, Chief!!

Chief comes to us from Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue program (http://www.gbgrr.org/) and is in training as a therapy dog. Chief is a 2 1/2 year old Golden Retriever and Saluki mix and quite the little charmer. When we first met, Chief won my heart with his Golden smile and charismatic brown eyes.

We are excited about working with Chief as he is a very smart little guy! He already has his basic obedience training and so much more! If you hold a treat up and say "I love you", Chief will respond with his own version of "I ruff woo". Now how can you turn away that kind of charisma???

Look for more posts on Chief as his training progresses. We will give you regular updates and photos, so you can see how a therapy dog is readied for a career full of pets, hugs, kisses, and lots and lots of treats and toys. Now what dog would pass up this kind of treatment???

More to come...

Tammy

New Program!

Jumpstart Therapies would like to introduce our latest AAT program development. KidzTherapeze is a pediatric clinic in Killeen, TX servicing primarily children of Fort Hood--one of Texas' largest military bases. This clinic provides physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy services. Owner and physical therapist, Kelly Barr, PT, approached Jumpstart Therapist (and staff occupational therapist) Tammy Renaud about beginning an AAT program at the facility. This is an exciting adventure, in that it will be one of the first visiting animal programs at a pediatric facility in the Killeen area.

Here is a link to the KidzTherapeze webpage: www.kidztherapeze.com

Stay tuned as we search for the perfect therapy animal!! We will provide you with more information as this program develops!!

Tammy Renaud