Abby Does Therapy...PICS

[MySweetDoodle]

Wonderful! What a great job you have done with Abby. And such a rewarding *job" for her, helping and bringing joy to others. She looks so happy in all of the pictures - just look at that beautiful smile on her face!

[julie_s]

What inspirational photos! Abby certainly looks like she enjoys her visiting. You must have worked very hard to get her over her initial shyness. What other types of places do you visit? I have heard locally about dogs going to schools or libraries to let kids read to them, visiting hospitals/hospice/long-term care facilities, and even read about some dogs who visit funeral homes to help relieve stress from the grieving family.

I'm really interested in therapy dog training with Stella. Right now, she is only 9 months and we are about to graduate from advanced beginners obedience. I am thinking our next logical thing will be to take the CGC, then enroll in a therapy dog handler's class that is offered by the volunteer coordinator for some local hospitals.

If anyone is interested in learning more about therapy dogs, an informative book I would recommend is Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others, by Kathy Diamond Davis.

Thanks for sharing your photos of Abby!

[Lucee&Rusty]

Beautiful heartwarming photos! I was just reading today a book called "For the love of a dog" by Patricia McConnell and she was describing how the open mouth expression
which Abby is demonstrating very well indicates a very relax and happy dog. Well done Renee and Michael for all your time and patience in training such a beautiful dog.

[my Boo]

Way to go Abby! She looks so cute in her service vest, too!

[pringle's mom]

Way to go Abby! You make so many people happy with your work. You go girl!