Well, yours truly and  12 month old Kerry Blue ,Elvis have now qualified as PAT dog and handler !

We now have an appointment to see the Matron at a nearby Nursing Home. ( No, not for residence ) A few questions ( not all serious)-

-Will she look like Hattie Jacques ?
- Do I have to put on a Kenneth Williams accent ?
- Is there a technique for coping if Elvis runs off with someones prosthetic limb/ eats their lunch/ knocks over their drip/ attacks the Nursing Home cat ?
- I really want to do this, but isn't it all a bit scary ?
- Does anyone else on the Board do it and what do they think of it ?

All the best

Rod

Well done.
I visit nursing homes with my PAT dog Cali. I remember the 1st visit that I did and is was quite scary as you just don't know how your dog will behave as it is slighty different to the test itself, but she took it all in her stride. The one thing that I have to watch is that she doesn't get porky as they do like to give them biscuits (nurses included).
Enjoy it, it is so rewarding and the dogs love it.
Let us know how you get on.

Jenny

Hiya,

Congratulations, I'm just curious really as there's no way this would suit my girl, what does the test involve, what does your dog have to be able to do to qualify to be a PAT dog?  I hope you both enjoy your very worth while new service.

Karen

walking on a loose lead.
taking a treat gently
being handled by another person.
how they greet people

and others but i can't remember as my dog became one over a year ago

not startling to loud noises, or if they do, then recovering quickly. calm natured and will settle, have to be either atleast 6 months old or have been wned by the handler for 6 months so they can read the dogs stress responses if needs be. i now cant remeber any of the others!

how do you go about doing this do you have to go to classes???

You can usually tell which people don't like dogs.  I went for ages with Dilita when she was alive and was always wary of one woman, I let my guard down one week and as the woman put her hand out to stroke her I let her and she really hit her hard on the head, two weeks later my girl ended up with glaucoma on that side and was PTS soon afterwards, she did already have it on the other side for 8 years.  Whether this was a coincidence I don't know but I must admit I haven't registered any of my other dogs since.

Just be aware as there are usualy tell tale signs of people who are scared of dogs.

I will one day register a dog agin but this did put me off for a while.

I did have the paper work for it as it would really suit Alfie but I didnt get round to filling it out and now ive lost it.  I must go onto their website and order another lot.

Just a note.  I'm applying for Earl to become a PAT dog and they now have to be 9 months old before you can apply.....

I have done it, Henry is a PAT dog. But the place I found wasn't very welcoming so I quit. One day I'll find the time to look for somewhere else! :-)

My dog is not a PAT dog ,when I had Trav my mum was in a nursing home after having 2 major strokes.He made his first visit at 8 weeks which was supposed to be for 10mins an hour and 15mins later we were still there,he still visits twice a week,he is 17months old now and gets spoilt rotten by the staff and the patients,he had more xmas presents than the kids,it is amazing he is a full of life 38kg curly coated retriever pup,but when he makes his visits he is so laid back and just sits at the sides of the patients for them to smooth him.You will have a very rewarding time making your visits hope all goes well

My Groen girl Lily is a PAT dog and comes into school with me every Friday. She has been doing this for the last 9 years and is just amazing with the kids ( I teach in a special school) - loads of parents and teachers have fallen in love with her and ask about getting an Belgian but I have to be truthful and say that she is NOT typical ( although she is the second Belgian I've used - the other being Amber, a Terv boy who came through rescue and stayed !) and that they are most definitely not a breed for the faint hearted or inexperienced - if they are still keen I invite them over to meet the rest of my gang - that usually does the trick ;)

I'm hoping that the puppy I'm bringing over from France will be able to carry on with the PAT work - her mum has an amazingly laid back temperament -and Lily is just gettig a bit too old now and finds it all TOO tiring.

Yvonne

Congratulations thats great news :)

I have a PAT dog, I don't really do hospitals and as the scheme permits you to choose a venue to suit both you and your dog I chose to visit another type of establishment.

I visited the venue on my own at first to see if I thought it was suitable.

By way of a postscript, we have now done our first visit !

All went well, and Elvis managed to put a lot of smiles on some faces that might not have had too many of late. It was particularly touching that he seemed to choose the most aged and infirm to deliver a big wet sloppy Kerry kiss to. Their delight was apparent and great to see.

The Home is happy that we call as and when we can, and will issue us with ID, security pass etc. All of the nurses gave Elvis just as much fuss, and one enquired if he'd " Like to stay for dinner "! Not sure if I was included...

I noticed he was very tired after an hour's visit. I'll probably cut this down to 45 minutes in future.

Thanks to all for their  helpful messages

regards

Rod

Watch you Elvis doesnt get overweight,Trav comes home with a bag full of treats every week,dont think I will ever have to buy treats ever again,there is one old lady who insists leaving a drop of tea in her cup for Trav,the patients love Trav visiting,and Trav loves all the attention he recieves