Therapy Dog Program
The Therapy Dog Program is run by St. John Ambulance in Yellowknife. Any dog of sound temperament can become a Therapy Dog, regardless of size or breed, once they pass the St. John Therapy Dog test. All volunteers must be able to make the commitment of time to visit on a regular basis. They must also be willing to participate in a screening process, which includes a police records check.
Evaluation sessions are held to test dogs on obedience and temperament. Testing consists of a heeling pattern to show control when walking, a sit and down stay, noise distraction, greeting a friendly stranger, reaction to other dogs, interaction with wheelchairs, accepting a treat from a stranger, a patient draped in a robe and a crowd petting the dog.
Once the dog and handler have passed the testing then they're ready to visit their designated facility under supervised visits.
Therapy Dogs offer unconditional love and friendship to the sick, lonely and helpless. Dogs are non-judgmental. They are undeterred by human frailties and accept human illness, handicap or disfigurement, confusion or tears. They calm the distressed, distract the pain-ridden and comfort the despondent. They, in return, are often accepted when humans are rejected.
For all the information you'll need please
call St. John Ambulance at (867) 873-5658
or email ykadmin@nt.sja.ca
February 2008
The St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program is in the midst of a new
intake for dog and handler visiting teams. Our recent information night
on Monday February 11th was very successful, with seventeen interested
people attending, and others who sent regrets but would still like to
participate.
The next step is to do a pre-evaluation of each dog/handler team, using
the standard St John Ambulance therapy dogs tests. We will be doing this
on Saturday February 16th at the St John Ambulance office from 9 am to 4
pm. After running thru the twenty-minute series of tests, the evaluators
will be able to give each handler comments as to what, if anything,
needs to be worked on. Then we'll have a break for a few weeks while
everyone can work with their dog and oh, yes, volunteer for Arctic
Winter Games, prepare for year-end at work, and do all those other
March-type things.
In mid-April we'll set up a weekend for a workshop.
This will involve a day of class work-some of it involving simulated
hospital or nursing home situations-and we will run the final
dog/handler St John Ambulance tests for all teams who wish to test.
These tests are exactly the same ones as we do in the pre-test, so no
surprises. After that, those who qualify become St John Therapy dog
teams. They'll get a cool People Shirt and a cool Dog Bandanna with
logo, and are ready to start visiting!
If you are interested in the program and would like more info, contact
Cindy at St John Ambulance ( 873-5658) or Heather at or email calunav@ssimicro.com