Can anyone offer me advice in preparation for a Pets as Therapy assessment this Friday? Rosie has grown into quite a lovely person, but I don't want to do anything to blow it!!  Any advice much appreciated - thanks, Karen

Just make sure that she's clean and tidy, which I'm sure you would do anyway and just enjoy the experience!  I'm sure she'll do well, as you say she's a lovely dog.

I remember the lady dropped an oven tray on the floor behind Henry - it's ok for them to flinch or jump, but they should recover quickly, and it's good if they go to sniff it. She also gave him a treat to check he isn't likely to take peoples' fingers off if they offer food. She had a dog too and noted down that he was good with other dogs, though I don't suppose you often meet other dogs when PATing. She checked he wasn't out of control and madly pulling at the lead all the time, and that he was happy to be handled. Can't remember what else!

Pretty much about it really.  Though we had a handbag dropped behind us (not as noisy as an oven tray - I'd be surprised if any dog didn't flinch at that!) and the assessor didn't have a dog with them although it took place on a Saturday morning in a busy public park. 

You also have to be able to demonstrate how easily the dog is groomed and the assessor also runs her hands all over the dog.

Good luck

Thanks all for your replies ...... are these assessments usually carried out outside??

Ebony had his done at our vets...a place he doesn't like, but bless him he was an angel as ever. Wasn't scary - just want to check that the dog is healthy, happy and well looked after, happy to have an average check over by a vet (ears, teeth, paws etc), fairly easy going around noise, taking treats etc, and easily controlled on a lead etc. Goodluck.

Thanks everyone - I'm getting really excited and nervous!! Do you generally get an idea what the assessor recommentations will be at the time?? - I know there is a 6-8 week wait for an official decision.  Thanks, Karen

I think mine said she couldn't imagine there would be any problem judging by what she'd seen, but did say the official decision would come in writing. :-)

Just want to let you know that everything went really well and Rosie did everything she had to!  I was very pleased and am now just waiting for news!! Thanks everyone for the encouragement,  Karen

Well done to Rosie and to you :) :) :)

Good news and good for Rosie!

Any News yet on Rosie becoming a PAT dog .....thinking of putting Kez in got the application just waiting to see how he gets on with his Good Citizen Bronze first.

Sorry not to have replied sooner - been away for a while; I haven't heard anything yet, but I was rather slow in returning all the paperwork so hopefully it will only be another couple of weeks or so before I hope to hear.  Will let you know any news as soon as I receive anything. Thanks very much for the support and hope Kez does well in his Good Citizen award!!

I never replied but I read your thread before and I'm so pleased it went well. PAT dogs are fantastic!!!!!  So a big CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!  ... and I look forward to hearing the official announcement! 

Alf got his stuff through the other day, he has his own ID and everything - apparantly I look like a prison warden on my id

>apparantly I look like a prison warden on my id

Better then looking like a criminal!!! :P

lol, my dog sitter said I looked like myra hindley

Its so exciting when you get it through isn't it. I bet you can't wait to start. Have you got anywhere in mind to take him?

Unfortunately I am not able to do it at the moment but during the summer and next year I am hoping to get started again.

Best of luck with where ever you decide to go, I am sure they will love him.

Best wishes
Anna

I havent read through the stuff yet, I would like to go to something like a hospice or a school.

How rewarding a hospice would be to see the smile on thier faces but also great at school to educate the children, either way it will be so rewarding for you both good luck

You can choose the sort of establishment you wish to visit. I do not like children particularly so I avoid schools... :D

oh Allyson, surely not!!

I used to visit the local hospice, and i really enjoyed it in a funny way. Isla was there as much for the staff as for the patients.

A lot of people think that they want to go and visit kids, BUT as far as the dog goes, it CAN be a pretty full on experience. Children in hospital can be (IMHO) very excitable for about 3 minutes then wander off to do something else, which is fine, BUT personally speaking Isla prefers calmer, gentler voices and longer conversations!

Please remember, PATting can be quite tiring for the dog, even if it is young and very healthy, hospitals, oap homes and hospices etc are normally pretty warm places, and concentrating for a long time can be pretty exhausting.

Ali

Hi - Finally I received all the paperwork and I have my first visit planned for next Thursday at a private nursing home - most of the patients there have dementia in varying degrees. I expect my first visit to be quite draining - I have had very little experience of dementia, (although friends may disagree!), but having spoken to an experienced PAT visitor I think there will be quite a learning curve at first. I'm sure that Rosie will respond well and will add something to their day - I just hope I can do the same.

It all seemed such a lovely fluffy idea a while back, but now it is very real and I am just a tad nervous!!

Thanks for all the support :)

Karen

Hi Karen I felt exactly the same which was why I made my first visit when I went home to Scotland and I went with my mum to see my gran in her home who also had dementia. After doing that a couple of times while I was home it made me feel more confident. I'm sure you and Rosie will be fine, it is such a rewarding thing to do as my gran never responded to anyone that went to see her apart from when I took Cali in to see, her eyes used to light up every time!!

Enjoy it!

Jenny

Good luck and have fun I am sure in a few weeks time you will think nothing of it.

xxxx

Well done... that must be exciting. At least if a visit goes a little pear shaped the next week the patients will have forgotten.  ;)

They will get a lot from the visits. Dogs can give people so much.