Marilyn - Test/Observer #5297
Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Rockledge, Florida
therapydogtester@bellsouth.net
I first became interested in pet therapy in
1983 in Miami, Florida. My first registered therapy dog was a little beagle
named Twit (Ch. Teloca Patches Educated Guess, CD). She was a wonderful little
dog who taught me what a wonderful experience pet therapy can be. She loved to
meet everyone and people loved her. Residents in the nursing home would ask if
it was Tuesday because they knew that Twit would be coming to see them. Twit’s
daughter, Gambit, became my next therapy dog. She was a clown who brought much
laughter to the nursing home with her antics. Rascal came next and is still
working as a therapy dog, although she is semi-retired. At thirteen-years-old,
she still loves to go on a visit but it takes her two days to recover, so she is
used very sparingly. Sassy is my current therapy dog. She is a tiny little
beagle and most people think that she is a puppy although she is five-years-old.
She is very special and her many talents have been recognized. Channel 13, a
local television station honored her as “Central Floridian of the Week.” The
reporter stated “Who needs a doctor when Sassy is on call.”
My employer, Brevard
Community College, encourages employees to do community service and gives six
hours per month for an employee service project. Sassy and I visit assisted
living and adult daycare facilities. We were awarded the “Employee Service
Project of the Year” in 2000. Sassy even has her own BCC badge (picture ID)
identifying her as a therapy dog in the Allied Health Division. Sassy and I have
given lectures on pet therapy to the community, to students in nursing,
veterinary technology, and certified nursing assisting and at a state convention
for medical assistants.
Over the years, I have shown my beagles in obedience and
they have numerous titles and I am currently working on canine freestyle
(obedience to music) with Sassy. I have also taught obedience, clicker and trick
classes. I am an approved tester/observer for Therapy Dogs, Inc. and am
committed to certifying qualified dog/handler teams for national registry.
