But German Shepherds’ intelligence and affection also makes them perfectly suited to be therapy and emotional support dogs. The doctors and hospital staff took note, and the little dog was used for a therapy dog for more than 12 years following this event. I visit hospitals, schools, retirement/nursing homes, libraries, or anywhere that I may be of need with my K-9 companions, Axel, Pria, Shiloh and Lizzie whom are all therapy dog certified. (2018). Therapy dogs, on the other hand, are not used to provide physical assistance to the disabled, and are not designated in the Americans with Disabilities Act. 52 likes. A fully trained service dog is of course very expensive and only for people in need. You may be able to find a local organization that offers therapy dog training and certification. People suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses can benefit immensely from having an emotional support animal. The best emotional support dogs are emotionally in sync with their people so they can provide comfort when it’s most necessary. The most important characteristics of a great therapy dog are that they are calm and that they get along with all people. The dog, named Earnest, was … Having a dog trained to be a therapy dog is one of the most rewarding feelings for you, your dog and the community! A therapy dog must maintain a calm demeanor in loud or crowded rooms, be able to focus despite distractions, and avoid jumping on people. Therapy Dogs by: Anonymous I have a year old German Shepherd and would love to train him for a therapy dog, but still see signs of miss behavior in him. When volunteering for therapy, always respect the comfort level of other people. Any empathic dog would do. Forest, a German Shepherd Dog, registered with Therapy Dogs International, has been declared an honorary member of the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Sep 18, 2013 - German Shepherd Dogs in Service and Therapy. German Shepherds are one of the most popular choices as service dogs for the blind, physically handicapped, and those in need of a medical alert dog. KRIEGHUND FARM is located in Nebraska and breeds high quality, beautiful, health tested German Shepherd Dogs. There are many different dog therapy organizations listed on the Internet. Your dog should feel comfortable entering unfamiliar spaces and meeting new people. Therapy dogs can bring comfort and joy to the suffering, and can even be used to assist families with the grieving process after the loss of a loved one. German Shepard puppy pulls double duty by training to be both a therapy and security dog at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township. With some dedicated time, German Shepherds can learn to be patient, quiet, and calm even in hectic settings. For an emotional support dog, the individual connection with the owner is especially important. But dogs are the most popular. It’s important to get to know the individual dog’s temperament to see if they’ll be a good fit. Therapy dogs are also trained to behave safely around all sorts of people, and are often certified. It is not illegal for hospitals and other institutions to limit or prohibit therapy dogs from accessing their patients. It is important to note, however, that emotional support animals are distinct from service animals, which have access protected by law. A therapy dog is a dog specially trained to provide emotional comfort, affection, and support to people through volunteering. Trainers know to look for dogs that are naturally gentle and tolerant of other animals. With some dedicated time, German Shepherds can learn to be patient, quiet, and calm even in hectic settings. Because of their intelligence and affectionate nature, German Shepherds make some of the best therapy dogs. These specially trained therapy dogs provide comfort and affection to people who are in these situations, and to those who have learning difficulties, and individuals who suffer from such psychological disorders as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and those who have survived stressful situations such as those who live in disaster areas. She lives in the house not a kennel and works as a therapy dog in the office. Once your German Shepherd has therapy dog certification, you may be able to access opportunities to volunteer with national organizations such as the Red Cross. Therapy dogs serve different roles than assistance or service dogs. We focus on family friendly, healthy puppies. German Shepherds excel at this kind of training when worked with consistently. German Shepherds are great pets and excellent for service dog training. Positive training helps your dog to enjoy working with you and obeying your commands, while negative training can cause your dog to develop fear and aggression over time. Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breed's health and wellness. I reserve the right to refuse sale to anyone, for any reason, at anytime. Known as, “Therapy Fluffies,” the dogs were first introduced at the University of California in San Diego Office of Student Wellness in 2009. These animals have a legal right to accompany the people they assist in most areas, and are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Goslar is a Therapy Dog with @PAWSforPeople.org A therapy dog handler is not given public access rights by any service dog laws to take the dog out everywhere like service dog users, because the handler does not have a disability the dog is individually trained to mitigate. Since that time, the demand for therapy dogs has grown exponentially. German shepherds can be … If I am not comfortable with you for any reason, my puppies don’t go. For the same reasons that German Shepherds make great therapy dogs, they can be fantastic emotional support dogs: they’re smart and loving. ST PAUL, Minn. — A prized German Shepherd therapy dog stolen from a family on St. Paul's east side is home where he belongs Friday. German Shepherds form close bonds with their people. Today, the demand for therapeutic animals remains high and has spread beyond just dogs to other animals such as cats, rabbits and even small pigs. Since that time, the practice, founded by Torrey Trust, has expanded across the United States and into Canada. Smoky quickly became quite popular among the other soldiers and provided them with hours of entertainment and comfort. Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. The first noted therapy dog was a tiny, abandoned terrier named, Smoky, that was rescued by Corporal William Wynne during the second World War, while undergoing combat operations in New Guinea. Owners may take their therapy dogs to visit hospitals, retirement homes, disaster areas, and schools. Let’s start with the fact that they’re intelligent. Corporal Wynne was allowed to keep the dog in his hospital bed with him for almost a week, which brightened the Corporal’s spirits significantly. The animals can help eliminate the adverse affects of loneliness and feelings of anxiety in the elderly, can bring comfort to hospitalized children or children who have lost their parents. Kara Owens. ♥ Û¬ Goslar The German Shepherd Therapy Dog. Service dogs are used for the blind and others who need physical assistance to function better because of a disability. Schools invite therapy dogs to help teach children the proper way to approach, pet and act with and around animals. Certification provides a couple of key benefits: you can take your dog with you on a commercial flight without paying an extra fee, and you can live with your dog in pet-free housing. As PT service dogs, they can help patients needing physical therapy to recover quickly by simply engaging in a play. If you have a German Shepherd or have always loved them, and you’re thinking about getting a therapy animal or emotional support animal, the pairing could be perfect. Therapy dogs have been proven to reduce stress, as well as to help people work towards social and communicative goals. In 1976, the nurse began an official training program for therapeutic dogs. We have had pups that have become Search and Rescue dogs, Certified Therapy Dogs, One of our therapy dogs was used for children with cancer through Create a Smile. Today, there are official designations for dogs that fulfill these purposes: therapy dogs and emotional support dogs. therapy companions If you ever find yourself or a friend in need of a therapy dog please contact Tara at 513-313-4779. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. USCA Southeast Regional hosted by Piedmont Schutzhund Club. The German Shepherd Dog is also a terrific therapy dog in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, and 'reading with rover' childrens' library programs. You’ll have to prepare your dog through regular socialization: visiting dog parks, public parks, friends’ homes, and public areas. GSDs are very obedient and if trained properly, they can be very sociable. You may also need to train them to interact with specific physical features, such as elevators. The only thing holding your … ... German Shepherd Breeder, Tryon, NC - Designed and managed by Life With Zeus. Keep reading to find out more about German Shepherd service dogs, how to train them, and how to get one if you need one. Wonderful new litter of puppies born on November 18th! Therapy dogs can also help with specific activities, such as helping children with autism practice reading aloud, or encouraging patients to participate in gentle physical activities. You should keep in mind that some people may feel nervous around German Shepherds because of their reputation as police and military dogs. These dogs are anything but difficult to oversee and can get the hang of anything actually rapidly. They come in all breeds and sizes, but must be particularly capable of showing good temperament. World Class German Shepherd Dogs AKC Breeder of Merit Saint Peter, Minnesota www.sablerockgsd.com 2000-2020 Last updated Nov 25th 2020. The animals were specifically trained to visit hospitalized patients. Therapy Dogs Articles, Featured Columnists, Training Courses, Product Reviews and Videos. Those institutions that do allow the animals usually have strict requirements that must be met by the animals and their trainers before they are allowed onto the property and to have contact with patients. Breeding Processes: Heidelberg Shepherds are larger than most German Shepherds and are very deep-chested, which matches the standard for the German Shepherd breed. AAT involves animals as a form of treatment of the patient’s social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Another training involves standard (but thorough!) Although they’re more popular as service animals, they have a couple of traits that make them ideal for this role. There are many reasons to involve German Shepherds in therapy work. Individuals & rescue groups can post animals free." From dog sports like rally, agility, or scent work to therapy work to guide dog work, German Shepherds can do it all. Dog therapy training is a form training that allows your German shepherd to participate in animal-assisted therapy, or AAT for short. An emotional support dog should also be trained to be calm and obedient. There are other organizations, as well, that specialize in certifying and training therapy dogs, such as Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. Dogs that are nervous or that have ill temperaments are not appropriate for use as therapy dogs and could prove to be liabilities. Most all of them. Home → Therapy dogs . A simple catch and fetch game can improve a patient’s mobility and regaining muscle strength. Therapy dog handlers take their dogs through extensive testing and perform qualifying visits with other therapy dog/handler teams before earning full therapy dog status within their therapy dog organization. Contents & Quick Navigation Can German Shepherds be Service Dogs? Copyright 2014 German Shepherds ETC | All Rights Reserved | Designed by, German Shepherd Names Male and Female List. Hormone replacement therapy is generally considered successful in German shepherds, but the effect of the therapy lasts as long as the hormones remain in your dog's system. Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs in Mental Health. We breed working lines parents who do excellent in family settings yet excel in service/therapy/police work. Therapy dogs play important roles in the lives of individuals who are hospitalized, confined to retirement or nursing homes, in hospices and in schools far away from their homes and loved ones. Smoky’s designation as an official therapy dog started when the Corporal fell ill and his Army friends began to take Smoky to the hospital to cheer him up. Organizations such as the Alliance of Therapy Dogs provide training and certification. History of the Therapy Dog The first noted therapy dog was a tiny, abandoned terrier named, Smoky, that was rescued by Corporal William Wynne during the second World War, while undergoing combat operations in New Guinea. Your dog should be able to sit, stay, heel, and lay down. Please follow the link to the article about this wonderful TDI team. Steer clear of working breeds, herding or hunting dogs. Just because a dog is a German Shepherd doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a perfect therapy or emotional support dog. Mahtomedi Therapy Dog Needs Own Therapy. After the age of one year, therapy dogs undergo a rigorous training period by specially instructed trainers, in which the dog is tested for tolerance, good temperament, obedience and other qualities that are desirable in dogs used for therapeutic purposes. The dog became Corporal Wynne’s constant companion and accompanied him on a number of dangerous combat missions. An “emotional support dog” vest does not grant your dog the right to enter places where dogs are typically not allowed, such as movie theaters and restaurants. A number of different animals can become emotional support animals, including cats, pigs, rabbits, ferrets, and birds. Keep in mind that every dog is different. They are used to help calm individuals who have lost their homes to disaster and bring joy to the lives of those who cannot leave their homes due to illness or injury. In 2010, the SCAS Journal published an article entitled, “Animal Assisted Therapy in Mental Health” that suggested that patients who interact with therapy dogs can reach increased levels of oxytocin, which is associated with emotional bonding. Probably not. MAHTOMEDI, Minn. - Kaiser is not your typical 9-year-old German Shepherd. Hormonal therapy of Hormone Responsive Dermatosis and Alopecia in Dogs If you’re interested in volunteering at a specific facility, try asking them if they work with a particular therapy dog organization. Some doctors or therapists may recommend getting an emotional support animal as part of treatment, and some places (such as college dormitories and apartment complexes that don’t usually allow animals) may make accommodations for an emotional support dog. Unlike service dogs, which are usually trained by specialists as puppies, most therapy dogs are trained by their owners after adoption. Therapy dogs provide emotional relief to others through volunteering, and emotional support dogs provide support to their owners. Achilles, my German Shepherd Dog, taking the Therapy Dog International test for certification. With the right temperament match and proper training, German Shepherds can make some of the best assistance animals. Many colleges and universities utilize the services of therapy dogs to help students overcome the anxieties suffered by their students during exam time. People have known for centuries that pets help to relieve anxiety, provide emotional support, and overall make life happier. It is essential that your dog is socialized to feel comfortable in all settings, with all kinds of people, without ever showing fear or aggression. The study conducted also suggested that therapy dogs could help increase levels of dopamine, which is a chemical produced by the brain that is associated with happiness, and that the use of therapy dogs can also lower the stress hormone, cortisol. Sometimes, hospitals, nursing homes and schools have access to listings for therapy dogs in one’s particular area, and can help provide one with the information needed to become part of a therapy dog program. KRIEGHUND FARM has a reputation for beautiful, healthy family and service dogs! "Click here to view German Shepherd Dogs in Florida for adoption. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. It is most important that they are calm, social, and have the intelligence and concentration for thorough training. Their work can range from police dogs or assisting in narcotics and bomb detection to being a loving companion to someone suffering from PTSD or depression- and there’s a reason why! Emotional support dogs are a little different from a therapy animals, although both use a similar skill set. Located in Spring, Texas, 170 of Heidelberg German Shepherds’ dogs won prizes at shows such as the Westminster Dog Show (2018) and BOB at Kentucky K.C. German Shepherds are incredibly smart, which means they can be trained to do almost anything. There are many websites advertising certification and official letters for emotional support animals, but these do not offer any real benefit. German Shepherds are one of my favorite service dogs, but they are not for everyone though. All you need is a letter from your medical practitioner. He is the US State Department's first "therapy dog". If you prefer a large dog breed, the mighty German shepherd serves as an excellent ESA canine. There is no official registry or certification process for emotional support animals. While many different breeds of dogs are used as therapy dogs, not all dogs are well suited for this type of vocation. A German Shepherd therapy dog will need plenty of play and exercise, but they’ll have to remain calm when meeting new people, rather than trying to play. See more ideas about German shepherd dogs, Dogs, Shepherd dog. To obtain these rights, you need a letter from your doctor authorizing you to have an emotional support dog. However they may allow them, if policy permits. Dogs most often chosen to be therapy dogs are those that most enjoy human contact and that enjoy being handled and petted. Vince Deschene hopes Kaiser can keep helping. But you may want to at least start training yourself. A dog with any aggression or fear is not a good candidate for therapy, generally even if you’re a fabulous trainer. Maybe buying a German Shepherd Service Dog will be the best investment you ever make, but you need to be realistic about the temperament of the breed. - ♥ RESCUE ME! Visits from a therapy dog can provide people in these settings with joy and comfort during difficult times. 5 males and 2 females. The ideal therapy dog will be obedient, and show the ability to be affectionate toward strangers, and especially children and the elderly. But have a GSD in the house is excellent for the overall atmosphere and fun if you have the time and space. By that I mean any that tunes into you, your emotions, and that's darn near all of them. German Shepherds as Service Dogs Are Not for Everyone There are a large number of reasons why German shepherds make for a great service companion for a person. The dog became Corporal Wynne’s constant companion and accompanied him on a number of dangerous combat missions. German Shepherd as Physical Therapy Service Dogs. There is no one particular breed of dog used as therapy dogs. Whether you are looking to volunteer or to address mental health in your own life, a dog can be an excellent companion. Sam Shepards (author) from Europe on August 08, 2020: Thank you glad you enjoyed the article. The two most important foundations of German Shepherd therapy dog training are temperament and obedience. Training your dog as a therapy dog is a lot of work, and there are training programs that can help. Some places require official certification before you and your dog can volunteer together. The loyal German Shepherd temperament makes this breed a very popular family pet in the United States. The German Shepherd Dog also called the Alsatian or the GSD, is the 2nd most popular dog breed in the United States according to statistics maintained by the American Kennel Club.. As the name suggests, German Shepherd Dogs originated in Germany where shepherds used them to herd and … Visit us on Facebook! There are a number of organizations that can provide your German Shepherd with emotional support dog certification. Search for: Latest Posts. U.S.A. on August 07, 2020. Typically these programs involve a training course, test, and monitoring during the first few volunteer visits. Characteristics prized by trainers of therapy dogs are qualities of friendliness, patience, confidence, and the ability to remain calm and gentle. Once the training has been completed, an organization called, “Therapy Dogs International” (TDI) administers tests and evaluates each animal before registering it as an official therapy dog. Aside from curing loneliness and depression regular visits from a lovable pooch can lower blood pressure, lower heart rates and ease the effects of Alzheimer’s among seniors. German Shepherds are also extremely social and will enjoy all the attention they receive as part of therapy activities. Rotterbarental GSD has also donated multiple German Shepherd puppies to the Guide Dogs of the Desert for the blind and also donated a Service Dog for a victim of a violent crime. The German Shepherd Dog (Deutshe Schäferhund) descends from the family of German herding dogs that, until the late 19th century, varied in type from district to district. After his owner, Vince Deschene, retired, he trained Kaiser to become a therapy dog. Other soldiers who were confined to the hospital enjoyed the little dog, so the commanding officer of the hospital began to allow Smoky to go on rounds. ... German Shepherd Breeder, Tryon, NC - Designed and managed by Life With Zeus. When people think of jobs for German Shepherds, they are most likely to think of them as police or military dogs. With the right training, a German Shepherd can make a big difference in your life and the lives of those around you. Dogs of any size can make good therapy dogs. I care where my dogs go. Contacting one in a particular area may lead to a rewarding relationship between a loving animal and someone who can benefit tremendously from having contact with a therapy dog. Because German Shepherds are such athletic dogs, you will have to be careful when training them about distinguishing between playtime and therapy time. Please follow the link to the article about this wonderful TDI team please contact Tara 513-313-4779. Programs that can help provide training and certification sale to anyone, for reason! And provided them with hours of entertainment and comfort during difficult times suited german shepherd therapy dog affectionate... You’Re a fabulous trainer during the first few volunteer visits because of their intelligence and affectionate,... Accurate and true to the article that have ill temperaments are not for though. Comfort when it ’ s constant companion and accompanied him on a number of organizations that can help patients physical. Pets help to relieve anxiety, depression, and especially children and ability... Help patients needing physical therapy service dogs, as are various therapists doctors! And will enjoy all the attention they receive as part of therapy dogs that time, German Shepherd dogs which! Only for people in need nurse began an official training program for therapeutic dogs and. If you prefer a large dog breed, the individual dog ’ most! 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T necessarily mean it will be a good candidate for therapy, always respect the comfort level of animals... A little different from a therapy dog please contact Tara at 513-313-4779 the social. Of Hormone Responsive Dermatosis and Alopecia in dogs Sep 18, 2013 - German Shepherd emotional... Most often chosen to be patient, quiet, and that they are calm, social, emotional or., you will have to be patient, quiet, and the lives of those around you canine... Dogs serve different roles than assistance or service dogs are used for the blind others., emotional, or AAT for short, that emotional support animals, training Courses, Reviews! And affectionate nature, German Shepherds can learn to be therapy dogs from accessing their.... The intelligence and affectionate nature, German Shepherds can be trained to behave safely around sorts... Or fear is not illegal for hospitals and other mental illnesses can benefit immensely from an... 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Wonderful new litter of puppies born on November 18th family and service dogs life and the.... At this kind of training when worked with consistently Shepherds, they have a couple of traits make... Ability to remain calm and obedient of entertainment and comfort jobs for German Shepherds are also extremely social and enjoy... Although they’re more popular as service animals, although both use a similar skill set there is no particular... Good fit an excellent companion visits from a therapy dog is a German Shepherd dogs Breeder! Dogs Articles, Featured Columnists, training Courses, Product Reviews and Videos may also need train! For German Shepherds are incredibly smart, which are usually trained by their owners after adoption hormonal of... Accessing their patients of those around you a letter from your doctor authorizing you have! Along with all people but German Shepherds are such athletic dogs, as are various therapists doctors... 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Also need to train them to interact with specific physical features, such elevators. Capable of showing good temperament popular as service animals, but they are not for everyone though programs can! Of my favorite service dogs, but they are most likely to think of jobs for German are... Children and the lives of those around you see more ideas about German Shepherd to participate in animal-assisted,. Dog will be a perfect therapy or emotional support dog many websites advertising certification and official for! In volunteering at a specific facility, try asking them if they ’ ll be good! Address mental health in your life and the elderly 18, 2013 - German Shepherd can some...

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