Wow, what a wonderful choice you made and an honor for both you and your dog!!! I can only imagine the joy this will bring to the soldiers. Please keep us informed on the adventures of this new journey and let us know how it turns out. It's such a worthy cause, I'm so thrilled for you!

This is one of the greatest experences you can share with your dog. My Golden was a member of the Good Dog Foundation. We went to the pyschiatric ward in a local hopsital.
I don't think I ever felt more proud of my dog than when she put smiles on the faces of the patients that we visited.

Oh that is wonderful! What a terrific job for your pup. I would love to have my dogs trained, but despite being smart (part border collies), that test with the cookie would definitely cause them to wash out. :(. I did giggle though, picturing them at the try-outs. Maybe I will work on it with them.

Congratulations to both of you. Do share once you start! Thanks for the smile.

This is wonderful news! Please give Chase a big hug and kiss for me. And maybe an extra treat if you have one handy. Thank you both so much for all your hard work.

Thanks guys, for understanding how much this means to Chase and me.

Ellendi...it does make you proud of our furry friends. I am so excited that after posting I thought maybe it would sound like boasting. Are you still volunteering?

Cyn...2 of the 6 are border collies. Their temperament and bonding to their owners was really sweet. All of the dogs acted so proud of themselves.

My guy is a chocolate lab. Would love to share our journey and try to take pics if possible.

Awe, this makes my day!! My poor Jack would flunk out at this point but I am soo impressed with your Chase! Hope you keep us posted about the entire experience. Throw Chase a tennis ball for me.

This is so great, technicolor! You sound so excited and happy, and Chase sounds like a wonderful dog.

technicolor- My Casey passed away four years ago at the age of 15. My daughters grew up with this dog. I like to say she got them from kindergarten to college.
My nephew was a puppy raiser for three dogs from Canine Companions. It is very difficult for a dog to make it through this program and become a companion dog.(None of his dog did)But, he was a great advertisement for the program and I think my nephew deveolped a maturity and poise from being an advocate of CCI.

Technicolor, ha-boasting about your pet is is required behavior! Now, we can all share in your pride! Please give Chase a scritch for me. What a great name for a lab, btw.

Tech, thank you (and Chase) for doing such wonderful work! Will you be part of the certificate program or will he be assigned a "handler" or something? Can you tell us more about the program?

Yes, please share photos of Chase and his activities!

What a great story!

Awwww, I love hearing stories like this! :-)

Please give Chase an extra hug (or tennis ball) from me!

I missed explaining the actual program. Not Service (my head was into Army thinking), they are Therapy Dogs.

There is 8 weeks ahead in training, plus my working with him every day (homework). They are Certified when through and I am the handler. Not sure, but expect a couple of times we will go with the trainer for testing and specific training in the environment. The program is thorough and trainers are wonderful. Even though they demand a lot, you can feel they love every dog they are working with.

We will go to the the Hospital on base which is 10 min from me. He will work with soldiers in rehab, therapy groups, those in good recovery. He can get up on their beds, sit on their laps when in wheel chairs, play outside with them.

They also have the dogs on base when troops leave or return from battle. Many are without families to say good bye or welcome back.

Therapy dogs have been found to relieve a great deal of stress in the soldiers environment. This may be one on one or in groups. Or assigned to a specific person for a period of time.

We are not allowed anywhere but libraries, hospitals, hospice and private homes. Nor in areas of a hospital where open healing is being cared for.

Although Lowes and HD allow dogs on leash and I take him when buying supplies or wandering around. It is nice to have them remember me. Hopefully in a good way. I may do more of this to keep him up on being in loud and busy areas. Which isn't a problem, but it all helps. What an excuse to go to the hardware store.

Still have butterflies, I want to be able to write a successful story for you.

Thank you for caring so much. Hugs to your loving friends too.

Technicolor, that is so awesome! I recently saw a therapy dog at work while visiting a friend in a rehab hospital. I can tell you, it was the highlight of her day and she was still talking about "Shirley" a week later. What a great service you'll be providing.

Congratulations to Chase and you for making the grade! The therapy programs for our soldiers in need of that special dose of love that only a dog can give will be so grateful for your commitment, and Chase�s, to the cause. I�ve seen TV programs and read articles on the many benefits this type of companionship has brought to our military patients, and think it is such a wonderful opportunity to pay it forward.

Thank you, Technicolor, for volunteering to contribute to such an excellent program, and for training Chase to participate! I am sure he will bring happiness and much needed love to those in need. Hugs to you both!!!

Technicolor, a question for you! I have a female Westie that was rescued from a puppy mill a few years ago that I would love to have training to do what Chase is going to do. Unfortunately, I fear she may be too old, (she�s 8), and has had little formal training - but this little dog radiates love to anyone she meets. Where would I look to see if she could get trained, or do you think her age would be too much of a disqualifier?

Chase is 8, most of the dogs were older in my group. Each state has their own registry locations. This is mine:

http://nationaltherapydogregistry.com/

You can find other states in the link below. If a location is not near you, try a search for "Therapy Dogs (and your location)". They don't seem to make this easy to find them. Different animal groups have their own..SPCA, Humane Society, etc.

Heads up as always on the net....Be aware that some who show up on the net may be scams and aren't official registrants. Classes online won't work, but they will take your money. They will even sell all the paperwork and dog equipment without asking you anything.

Here is a link that might be useful: Therapy Dog Registry