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PowderfingerSenior Contributor
I live in WA. I want to look into getting a therapy dog but I don't know where to start nor where to look. I don't even know the process. I have never had a dog before but I have wanted to get one for a few years. I live in a house now where it's possible for me to have the space for a dog.
Does anybody know where I start this process and what is involved?
PF
In response to: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
Owen45Senior Contributor
Pets are therapeutic for us people with mental health issues. Cats are my therapy.
In response to: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
wellwellwellnezSenior Contributor
While you're in the early decisions process, I'm pretty sure you can also train and designate exotic animals to be therapy specialists. Just sayin'.
Actually I think it works for dog as well. Like, you can pick the dog and co-train the therapy style. I found a link that has seems to have some training schools and also some other stuff about "home-school" options.
What a clever and fun thing you're doing.
In response to: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
wellwellwellnezSenior Contributor
You know what....you might want to consider looking at rescue options. I know one particular rescue dog that is an excellent comforter. Not official or anything but the furry equivalent of a lived-experience peer support worker. You and every dog is unique but it's something to consider.
Also imagining you getting an access pass for a comfort emu. That would be a great service to yourself and the world.
In response to: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
Emelia8Senior Contributor
@Powderfinger you could perhaps start with:
You obtain your own dog and "Mind Dogs Australia" help you train them to be accepted as official assistance dogs.
Have a look at the website, it has all the details that you may need. To my knowledge they are Australia wide.
Emelia
In response to: Re: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
PowderfingerSenior Contributor
@wellwellwellnez
Thank you, you have given me a few different options to think about. If I had the space for a comfort emu, I would consider it!
PF
In response to: Re: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
PowderfingerSenior Contributor
@Emelia8
Oh that is very interesting. Thank you, I will look into that.
PF
In response to: Re: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
BPDSurvivorSenior Contributor
Hi @Powderfinger ,
Pets can do a world of good for people. The process is extremely long as each dog costs tens of thousands of dollars to be ready to be used as 'therapy dogs'. Hence, it is not an easy process. Wait lists are long and each dog has to be specifically matched to their owners.
Other members have already shared some websites.
Depending on what you're looking for, maybe there are also other ways to have a dog for therapeutic purposes (like what @Owen45 said about cats), but are not specifically trained as "assistance/therapy dogs"? This way, there's a higher chance you'll get one sooner rather than later!
All the best though. Dogs are a treasure.
Would you be interested in
In response to: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
ArizonaSenior Contributor
Hi @Powderfinger
I have owned four dogs in my life and just having a dog (without the official label) is very therapeutic in my experience.
Can I ask what you are wanting from a therapy dog?
In response to: Re: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
PowderfingerSenior Contributor
@Arizona
Same reasons as you, therapeutic. My heart has been absolutely shattered in the last three years and even more so recently. I don't have many people in my life. I have alot of love and time to give a dog and vice versa. I have to park the idea for a bit because I have way too much on my plate. Need to clear some things first.
In response to: Re: Therapy dogs - where do I start?
ArizonaSenior Contributor
Hi @Powderfinger
I asked because I wasn't sure what you wanted a therapy dog for (and I'm not really clear what a therapy dog does). I hope I didn't sound nosey 😊 Some people get service or assistance dogs that they are allowed to take everywhere with them, like to cafes and stores and on public transport. And some people get dogs who are trained to alert people when their owner is having a seizure. It sounds like you could just get a dog without having to go through all the stuff to get an official label. Just having a dog is therapeutic in my experience.
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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