I know the AKC is adamant about dogs being CGC tested that they wear a buckle or martingale collar with leash.  Are any exemptions given for Tripawds?  As you guys know, there's a hook for the leash on Shelby's Ruff Wear Harness and I wonder if the AKC will make an exception for that.

Any of you done either the CGC or TDI test with your Tripawd?  I'd love to hear experiences!

Have I mentioned how blessed I am that I adopted this girl………….she is such an inspiration and so eager to please.  Just love the stuffin' out of her.

She and Kona helped to heal broken hearts after I lost my 14 year old golden Freeman and 11 year old lab Carson just weeks apart.

Wow!  Something must be in the air!!  Gerry is currently enrolled in a Dog Therapy class, though it's not one that will lead to certification. We have three more sessions of that and will actually go to retirement home to test what they've learned in a week or two. 

On top of that though, just yesterday Gerry had his interview (oh and me too) with the volunteer coordinator at an assisted living place near our home and Gerry passed!  Seemed like it might be a close call after he licked her (had a long talk about how some residents might not like it and its a hygiene issue) and he was pulling rather madly (lucky for me Gerry is only mid-sized and I'm stronger – barely) as we went around the new place.  But, he then seemed to totally win the coordinator over once she saw him meet with a resident as a sort of test run.  Phew!  Now I just have to remember all the rules and keep up with his training.  And get some sanitary napkins to have on hand for licks!

If Gerry takes to this as wonderfully as he seems to – and if I don't get too lazy – I think we'll try for certification as well and perhaps end up visiting people in hospitals too.  Though I think the assisted living place could certainly keep us plenty busy/fulfilled.  Good to know that others have been through TDI.  That's one of the options for the program I read about for one of our local hospitals.  The also accept Delta or another one that I think has the same initials, but stands for something different.  Is TDI one of the ones that requires you pass CGC as well?  One of them didn't (I can go back and look that up myself), and I'd rather avoid the cost of another class, in order to pass CGC, but we could always wait a year and then pursue it when I have more money saved up.

I've been meaning to blog about this, but there hadn't been much to say quite yet.  Maybe after our next class this week.  But I'm going to be sure to subscribe to this thread so I don't miss out on any good info.  And will be back when I have more to share.

Congrats Gerry!

Thankfully, the VA Hospital/Rehab Facility here in Orlando does not require TDI certification.  Just a well-behaved dog and a CGC certification is certainly a plus.  I chose the VA especially because there are many amputees there and also because my late mother and father were in the Navy and Army respectively….and I did a short stint in the Navy 1,000 years ago.

Again, thanks for the encouragement and input.  This goober girl continues to amaze me!

P.S.  Hey Comet, I'm on another computer again….can you tell?  I can type VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV.  No stupid asterisk in place of (ahem) "the letter following U in the alphabet".  I've had many offers of a new keyboard, but unfortunately I have a laptop.