Bogart finally had hospital evaulation!

[lindamarie]

I am sooooo happy! We have waited for over a year for the opportunity to have Bogart evaluated at this hospital.......
Beaumont Hospitals |
........and it was done yesterday! Huge hospital and verrrrrrrry PICKY!
I was very nervous, but Bogart semed to do really WELL!

The vet tech loved him! SHe couldn't stop hugging him!
Now........if he fails........which I doubt, it will be because he had some hesitation with the wheel chair. The lady like zoomed it at him!..........and he back away.
In the words of a friend of mine!......."Well, at least he didn't attack it!"

Speaking of "attack". Bogart sniffed a females behind and the female turned, growled and nipped.....TWICE!
I feel really sorry for the owner. She kept saying, "If only Bogart hadn't sniffed!"

Anyway, we have to wait for about 5 days for an official letter of acceptance or denial.

There were 6 observers and I believe they all vote on the dogs......and there were quite a few of them.
But on volunteer man said to me, "He has MY vote!"
.........and the vet tech, who I think will be most important, couldn't stop hugging him, smiling and telling us how sweet he is!

I feel like I'm in a contest!
GO BOGART!!

[utchuckd]

Good luck Bogart!!!

[deepnite10]

GO BOGGIE !! he s got my vote too

i remember that test too..Toby past that part..but, a few weeks later
a lady in one of those powered wheel chairs ran over his tail and he could nt help but let out a yelp..

now, when he sees a wheel chair coming he turn s to face it..

[lindamarie]

Originally Posted by deepnite10

GO BOGGIE !! he s got my vote too

i remember that test too..Toby past that part..but, a few weeks later
a lady in one of those powered wheel chairs ran over his tail and he could nt help but let out a yelp..

now, when he sees a wheel chair coming he turn s to face it..

Funny.......BUT........OHHHHHH NO!!!
Did they tell you right away if Toby passed? They had all these evaluators there and I guess they had to do a vote on each dog or something, so we all have to wait for our "professional letter" of acceptance or denial.

[lindamarie]

HE PASSED!
BOGART IS NOW A BEAUMONT HOSPITAL DOG!! :mrgr een:
I found out that there were 13 dogs and one cat.
Some passed conditionally and same didn't make it.
All dogs that passed are on probation as they need to see how they work on the floor.
Bogart will be in the psychiatric and rehab wing!
I am soooooooo HAPPY!!!!:mrgr een:

[utchuckd]

Yay Bogart!!!

[deepnite10]

Originally Posted by lindamarie

Funny.......BUT........OHHHHHH NO!!!
Did they tell you right away if Toby passed? They had all these evaluators there and I guess they had to do a vote on each dog or something, so we all have to wait for our "professional letter" of acceptance or denial.

we had to wait too..two directors of the facility, a vet, a instructor and the site minister and a member from Therapy Dogs International..

the last i was a bit worried about since Toby and I are not members of that organization..and their requirements are a bit different..

OH..it took about a month befor we heard back from their membership committee..

after the evaluation the only person i talked to was the vet..who evaluated Toby s tempermant and passed him..he said he wished all his patients were this well behaved..

[lindamarie]

In case you missed it, Bogart passed and we found out within a week.
I'm now just waiting for the schedule as to when he'll be working!

[Milo's humans]

Congratulations, Bogart!

[doodleheaven]

Congrats Linda and Bogart! I just wanted to say that this is something I've always wanted to do with my dog also. When I saw your posts about Bogart it pushed me to get on with it also.

Happy to say that Bailey passed his screening also!!!!! Our organization is a little different. We will volunteer for a program called PALS. Once screening is passed you put in your preferences of where you want to work and they try and place you. They range from hospitals to senior/nursing homes to youth shelters/homes. Bailey and I were placed at a senior's home which is what I wanted. To get into the children's hospital you need to go on a one-year waitlist but I've nursed in the children's hospital for many years so I'm happy to be somewhere else. I will also participate in a program called StoryPals which is for children who are struggling to read. In this program the kids read to our dogs in a non-threatening environment. Our dogs lay on their beds and just listen to the kids read them a story. Apparently it has done wonders for children who are struggling to read.

Our screening was also very strict. We had to sit in a room with other dogs and cats and make sure there was no sniffing, barking or aggressiveness. Bailey did great but almost lost control when he saw a wooden decorative squirrel hanging on the wall. Can you imagine him losing to that?? Then we had to go to a private room where they dropped bedpans around him and wheeled wheelchairs at him, as well as humans just acting out of control (flailing arms etc). He passed with flying colors. I think I was more nervous.

I'm so excited to start this. We are just waiting for some paperwork to go through. Bailey has already received his special bandana and leash. I can't wait!

[lindamarie]

Bailey did great but almost lost control when he saw a wooden decorative squirrel hanging on the wall.

That just made me LAUGH OUT LOUD!!! Now THAT was a great test!!
CONGRATULATIONS LILY AND BAILEY!!

I am soooo happy for you! You are in for a real treat, much joy and BIG SMILES!
It's just awesome!!

[deepnite10]

i did nt realize that some hospitals have waiting list for therapy animals..

maybe cuz there s a greater need or lack of here..once Toby passed and got his certification he was welcomed just about everywhere..

he has an open invitation to the Modoc county hospital and NorCal Kaiser
post accute care center..

locally, we visit a memory lost center weekly..and where it all started, New Hope Care where were in 3 times a week..

New Hope is part of Evergreen Heathcare and they have facilities all over the northwest..on a sunday visit we happend to meet with a corportate
supervisor..so now were welcomed to all their facilities..

though it s not suppose to be that way..New Hope considers Toby their offical therapy dog..

there s a REAL reason why Toby has enjoyed these visits with mostly the elderly..but, that s another story.. and i love telling it to the residence..

[doodleheaven]

Toby sounds very special. I hope we can make the same impact once we start up.

We are a bit short on therapy animals also. I believe that's because the screening is so strict. They have two intake screenings a year and usually recruit 20 dogs/animals. With Bailey's intake they were only able to recruit 9 dogs. The rest of the them failed. I think the waiting list at the Children's Hospital is only because everyone wants to go there vs the senior homes or youth homes. People are drawn towards little sick children and love to see the smiles on their faces. Hence the wait to get into that therapy group. For myself, I think Bailey and I can develop much stronger relationships at a seniors home as we will see the same people week after week. At the Children's hospital most of the kids are in and out quickly. Sadly, from what I've heard, these pups can sometimes be the only consistent visitor a senior gets.So I think the bond is very special. One of the screeners told me that her dog has been directly invited to several funerals when one of these seniors dies and it's very heartwarming and rewarding to have made such a difference in that persons life.

[deepnite10]

i know you and Bailey will make a huge impact on anyone you meet..

most people you visit would much rather be somewhere else..sad is that many of them only see family members occasionally and some rarely..and a visit from a memory of the past brings so much joy into their lives..even if its just a short time..but, it ll be a moment remembered..