What’s it like for a family to work with volunteer Therapy Dogs? The Wadleys weigh in with their experiences.

In this 35th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Jared Wadley, News Magazine Editor for Alliance of Therapy Dogs, and his sons, Jordan and Devin, about their amazing experiences with their volunteer therapy dogs, Bella, Legend, and Bree. We talk about training the dogs, how Jared found out about therapy dog work, and why volunteering is great for families.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How Jared discovered Therapy Dogs and encouraged his sons to join him as Junior Handlers.
• What it has been like to train three dogs to volunteer in a variety of settings.
• The unexpected benefits of volunteering as a Junior Handler.

—

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/bree_the_therapydog

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/35

Mental health professional Xochitl is making a positive impact with her Labradoodle Lucy, a certified Therapy Dog.

In this 34th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Xochitl, a licensed mental health professional, and her pawsitive Labradoodle, Lucy. We talk about their journey into therapy dog work during the tough times of the COVID pandemic. Xochitl is a mental health helper in Southern California, and she tells us how therapy dogs made a big difference in her job. That’s why she decided Lucy was the perfect dog to join her family.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How Xochitl discovered Therapy Dogs in her work as a mental health professional.
• What she does to continue Lucy’s socialization and skill development.
• Things you may want to know when working with a dog in a professional setting.

—

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/lucylu_pawsitivepup

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/34

Certified dog trainer Michelle knows how important it is to understand what her Therapy Dog, Pippin, needs on their visits.

In this 33rd episode of Therapy Dog Talk,I talk with certified dog trainer Michelle Stern of Pooch Parenting and her therapy dog, Pippin. We discuss their volunteer work with First Responder Therapy Dogs and the importance of knowing what your dog likes when doing therapy work.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How Michelle knows that Pippin enjoys volunteering as a Therapy Dog.
• What she is looking for in adding a second Therapy Dog to the family.
• How important it is to listen to your dog and put their needs first.

—

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/poochparenting

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/33

Tanya says her special needs Therapy Dog Boone provides unique opportunities to connect with children with special needs.

In this 32nd episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Tanya Diable and her amazing special needs rescue dog, Boone. We talk about their inspiring adventures together and the wonderful friendship they’ve created while volunteering with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. We also discuss Tanya’s non-profit, Joey’s Paw, which helps disabled dogs by giving them wheelchairs and prosthetics.

In this episode, we discuss …

• Why Tanya knew that Boone would enjoy volunteering as a Therapy Dog.
• What inspired Tanya to found her non-profit Joey's Paw and how they've helped over 1,000 other dogs.
• How Boone's wheelchair allows them to reach children with special needs as well people who are afraid of dogs.

—

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/a.miracle.named.boone

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/32

Retired Guide Dog Otto has found his calling as a volunteer Therapy Dog with his puppy raiser, Kathie.

In this 31st episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Kathie Neyman and her Golden Retriever, Otto. Otto used to be a Guide Dog, but now he loves being a volunteer Therapy Dog with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. We talk about their amazing journey and how they’ve helped many people.

In this episode, we discuss …

• Why Kathie knew that Otto would enjoy volunteering as a Therapy Dog.
• What it was like to welcome Otto home after his short tenure as a working Guide Dog.
• What the future looks like for Kathie and Otto and their plans for her husband and youngest dog to join them.

—

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/lark_otto_paddy

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/31

Charlene never runs out of projects but her favorite one is volunteering as a Therapy Dog team with her Great Dane, Grey.

In this 30th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Charlene Potts and her Great Dane named Grey about their work as a therapy dog team with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Charlene tells me how she fell in love with Great Danes and her dream of becoming a therapy dog team. She shares with me how she socialized and trained Grey to become a successful therapy dog.

In this episode, we discuss …

• Why Charlene decided she wanted to train a Great Dane as a Therapy Dog.
• What it was like to find places to volunteer during the pandemic and how her solutions led to over 200 visits.
• What Charlene is doing to help support other pet therapy teams to make an impact.

—

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/grey_thegreatdane

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/30

A career changed Guide Dog can often thrive as a Therapy Dog and puppy raiser Hallie’s journey with Buddy is a great example.

In this 29th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Hallie and her friendly Golden Retriever, Buddy. We talk about their journey from training Buddy to be a Guide Dog to working as an Animal Assisted Therapy Dog. We discuss the ups and downs of working with therapy dogs and the amazing ways Buddy helps people.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How Buddy's hatred of crates and love of people led him to continue Lulu's legacy.
• What it can look like when a dog is able to thrive through a change in roles.
• What Hallie finds most rewarding about being a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs and working in Animal Assisted Therapy.

—

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/apgars_buddy_morris_

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/29

Different breeds bring their own unique challenges but Cheyanne is up for the task with her Therapy Beagle, Tiana.

In this 28th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I’m joined by Cheyanne and her Therapy Beagle, Tiana who volunteer through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. We learn about their adventures and the special challenges they face, and solutions they’ve found, working with a hound breed in therapy settings around Phoenix, Arizona.

In this episode, we discuss …

• How a veteran encounter at a dog park encouraged Cheyanne to pursue volunteering with her first Beagle, Sophie.
• Why Cheyanne decided to carry forward Sophie’s Therapy Beagle legacy with her new hound, Tiana.
• What Cheyanne and Sophie enjoy about therapy animal opportunities available in Phoenix.

—

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/hound_dog_fitness

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/28

National Therapy Animal Day takes place every year on April 30. Pet Partners shares how you can get involved.

In this bonus episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I sat down with Elisabeth Van Every, Senior Communications Specialist and Managing Editor of Pet Partners, for a conversation about National Therapy Animal Day and how you can join in the celebration. Pet Partners founded National Therapy Animal Day in 2015 to raise awareness about the important work of therapy animals and to build standards in the industry.

In this episode, we discuss …

• When National Therapy Animal Day began and why it exists.
• How evidence and standards for human-animal interactions matter and what Pet Partners is doing to stay up to date and participate in the research on an international level.
• What Elisabeth hopes to see in the future of animal-assisted interventions.

—

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/petpartners

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/national-therapy-animal-day-with-pet-partners/

Have you ever wondered what it's like for an Assistance Dog to volunteer as a Therapy Animal?

In this 27th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I sat down with Evelyn and her charming Cavalier, Indie, about their incredible journey as an Assistance Dog and Therapy Dog team. We explore their experiences volunteering with Story Dog Australia and their plans for the future with Pets as Therapy in London.

In this episode, we discuss …

• What Evelyn looked for in an Assistance Dog which led her to finding Indie.
• How impactful a program like Story Dog Australia can be to build confidence in children.
• What their plans are to continue Therapy Dog work now that they've relocated from Australia to London.

—

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/cav_indie

https://instagram.com/therapydogtalk

Episode show notes:

https://sherrierohde.com/27