Hi all - I'm a nursing student in my second year and my hobbie (passion really, next to nursing) is/are my dogs, I compete in the sport of agility, I hunt with my dogs, am a judge, I teach basic obedience and agility and am an amateur ethiologist (animal behaviorist).
So I reasoned that volunteering with my dogs would be a good combination, not to mention rewarding. Two of my four dogs (only 2 were suitable - the other 2 are "problem children") just finished the extensive screening/testing required by Therapy Dogs International and I completed the process involved to become a hospital volunteer (a 3 hospital consortium). Now we are ready to start visiting patients and families.
Any nurses with advice? experienced any problems? good stories? opinions? observations?
Any and all would help - haven't seen any previous posts regarding therapy dogs.