Monica and her Dalmatian Therapy Dogs are making an impact relieving stress for passengers at their local airport.

In this 45th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Monica and her Dalmatian therapy dogs, Quint and Orio, about their amazing work with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) and the P.E.T.S. airport therapy dog program in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Monica’s passion for dogs is evident, as she shares her journey from adopting her first Dalmatian, Doc, to becoming a Tester/Observer for ATD and starting up the airport therapy dog program.

In this episode, we discuss …

• Why Monica became a Tester/Observer for Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
• How she founded the Therapy Dog program at Myrtle Beach Airport.
• What she’s learned over the years about volunteering with multiple Dalmatian Therapy Dogs.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

—

How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/the.hero.dogs

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/45

Inspired by his dog Winston, John set out to create his own pet therapy program Moments with Win.

In this 44th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with John Dunay and his 3-year-old Goldendoodle, Winston, about their journey to create their own pet therapy program called Moments with Win. John shares how neighborhood walks with Winston led him to discover the joy that therapy dogs can bring to people and inspired him to enroll in the Pet Assisted Therapy Certificate program at Providence College.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How John created his own Therapy Dog program—Moments with Win.
• What it was like to go through the pet assisted therapy certification program at Providence College.
• How Winston is helping to train their new puppy Finley.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

—

How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/momentswithwin

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/44

For Marcia, avoiding volunteer burnout is essential in order to continue sharing her Therapy Dog Charlie with others.

In this 43rd episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Marcia and her Golden Retriever, Charlie, about their inspiring volunteer journey as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Therapy Dog team in Georgia. We focus on the importance of avoiding volunteer burnout and maintaining a healthy balance for both the handler and their dog.

In this episode, we discuss …

• Why the book Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog holds so much meaning for Marcia.
• How Charlie is a good fit for Therapy Dog work.
• What Marcia does to help protect Charlie from volunteer burnout.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

—

How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/charliethetherapy

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/43

Volunteer pet therapy team Nicole and Eleanor love to share their bond to help brighten the day for others.

In this 42nd episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I spoke with Nicole and her 70lb rescue dog, Eleanor, about their heartwarming journey as a volunteer pet therapy team in Florida. We dive into their experiences working with Pet Partners and the impact they have on those they visit.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How Nicole helps Eleanor to connect with people who may be timid around large dogs
• Why a brush is helpful for them to bring on visits.
• What Nicole loves about volunteering through Pet Partners.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

—

How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/pettherapy_eleanor

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/42

San Diego Therapy Dog team Sarah and Cocoa have jumped all paws in to volunteering through Love on a Leash.

In this 41st episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Sarah and her Maltipoo Schnauzer, Cocoa, about their uplifting volunteer work as a therapy dog team in Southern California through Love on a Leash. We particularly delve into how a visit to Sarah’s grandparents inspired her to start their therapy dog journey.

In this episode, we discuss …

• Cocoa’s training journey to Therapy Dog and the prep course that helped teach the basics.
• Why Sarah chose to certify through Love on a Leash and how it’s been a positive experience.
• What Sarah finds to be truly rewarding about their pet therapy visits.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

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How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/lilmiss_cocoa

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/41

Kenzie has a heart for Animal-Assisted Therapy and is partnering with her Goldendoodle Kopa in her social work.

In this 40th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I spoke with Kenzie and her Goldendoodle, Kopa, about their journey into Animal-Assisted Therapy and their work together in Kenzie’s social work practice. We delve into their experiences with training, evaluation, and how they became a registered therapy dog team through Pet Partners.

In this episode, we discuss …

• The differences between two Animal-Assisted Therapy programs for mental health professionals.
• What the Pet Partners training and evaluation experience was like for them.
• How Kenzie has helped Kopa to build his confidence with inanimate objects.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

—

How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/kopadoodle

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/40

Tracy enjoys volunteering with her two Therapy Cats Roger and Sal and wishes that other cat owners would join her.

In this 39th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I switch things up to chat with Tracy and her Therapy Cats, Roger and Sal. We explore their unique journey into therapy work and discuss why more cat owners should consider getting involved in this heartwarming volunteer field.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How being raised by a dog made Roger a natural at pet therapy.
• What the requirements are for volunteering with a cat through Pet Partners.
• What to look for in a cat to know if they would enjoy, and be suitable for, pet therapy.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

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How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/therapycatroger

https://instagram.com/therapycatsal

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/39

Dr. Sunday Agbonika is pioneering Animal-Assisted Interventions in Nigeria with a specific goal of helping children with Autism.

In this 38th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I spoke with Dr. Sunday Agbonika, a Veterinary Surgeon, dog trainer, and 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow, about his groundbreaking work in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) in Nigeria, focusing on helping children with Autism. Dr. Sunday shares his journey of discovering AAI through a short documentary by Nathan Selove, which inspired him to bring this life-changing therapy to Nigeria.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How Dr. Sunday discovered animal-assisted interventions through a short documentary.
• Which animals Dr. Sunday partners with and what his dogs Tish and Bishop love about being Therapy Dogs.
• How Dr. Sunday is bringing together his community and international leaders in AAI.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

—

How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/drsenos

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/38

Kim and her Greyhound Therapy Dog Bubbles bring the fun to their campus visits as part of the founding BGSU PAWS Team.

In this 37th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I spoke with Kim and her Greyhound Therapy Dog, Bubbles, about their fantastic volunteer work as part of the founding Bowling Green State University (BGSU) PAWS Team. We dive into Bubbles’ unique personality and love for people, which make her the perfect therapy dog for bringing joy and stress relief to students on campus.

In this episode, we discuss …

• Why Kim knew early on that Bubbles would enjoy Therapy Dog work.
• What gear Kim and Bubbles always have on hand (paw?) during visits.
• How Bubbles won the hearts of a secret society and our hope that she become an honorary member.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

—

How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/bubbles.therapy.dog

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/37

Being a Junior Therapy Dog team with her pup Millie is the beginning of a dog-centered career for Holden.

In this 36th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Holden and her charming yellow labrador, Millie, about their inspiring work volunteering through Aggieland Pets with a Purpose as a Junior Therapy Dog team in College Station, Texas. We focus on their experiences visiting memory care residents and the impact they’ve made.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How Holden’s first experience with Therapy Dogs inspired her to work with dogs.
• What it’s like to connect with residents in memory care and how they’ve impacted Holden.
• An important reminder to know your dog’s limits and be ready to advocate for them.

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I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!

—

How to get started as a Therapy Dog team:

http://freeguide.therapydogtalk.com

Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/milliethetherapydog

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/36