I was snooping a newspaper from back in Illinois, and I read where they are going to be putting another "Therapy dog" on the expense account to have on standby for a elementary school for next year...

Guess when the little boogers have a bad day, they'll have somewhere to turn to.

Sure glad I don't live in Illinois any more and have to pay taxes for things like that.


WuzzFuzz

When I was in elementary school, I had many bad days at the office. Mom & Dad usually took the schools side of things! The dog was the only sympathetic ear I had! This is just another way to do away with teaching kids to talk to their parents!

I bet there is a Therapy Dog trainer and Groom and Vet that all just got a raise too! Dad taught me (when I wasn't talking to the dog) to follow the money!

Ivan

Isn't that just special! Just makes me want to give everyone a hug, but that's not allowed around schools anymore, is it?

Perhaps it is a Border Collie and the teachers use it to herd the children at recess. I can see where this would be therapeutic for the teachers.

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That's gonna leave a mark.

Sometime's the ignorance shown on this site is more than I can fathom.....just saying......


"Therapy dogs" Currently being used in Hospitals, Burn Centers, Cancer Centers, Assisted Living Centers, Crisis Center's and Grief Counseling Centers across the globe to what is considered to be a great and constructive resource by all parties involved.



Nuff said......

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Hipcocked45

My comment is "no comment."

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

A good dog is never a bad idea.

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Ad Astra Per Aspera

I get your point.
Some Chicago school kids do live in urban combat zone's and have probably seen more death's and drive by shootings than most veterans and cops have.

But the schools the therapy dogs will be used in aren't in the west side of Chicago where the violence occur's.

Has anyone stopped to consider that the "good old days" created the grandparents that created the parents that created these kids . . . ?

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I don’t know, I must be getting old and soft but I think that some of these kids might benefit from a four legged friend to lean on, so to speak, in difficult times. We’re not talking college kids here, it’s elementary school. I’m sure they find worse ways to urinate money away. I don’t see a dog as a bad thing other than the cost.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Next thing you know, they will be providing therapy dogs for prison inmates.

Wait a minute, they already do.

I guess some of the kids will feel right at home, later in life.



Y'all see where I'm going with this?

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Death? Smile back...

I hated school. I think having a dog to pet would have made it better.

I’m not seeing where this is a sign of the end times. Sounds like a good idea to me.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I got jerked through my bad days very quickly by my Dad or Mom.
I had a dog, but I don't remember having many discussions with him.

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Eccentric old coot

Well, darn, I guess I must've drunk the kool-aid because I've got this scruffy little border collie that follows me around 24/7. Her name is Suzy. She's not very big. She was the runt of the litter and only weighs about 28 pounds. Perfect size.

Suzy doesn't wear one of those fancy little vests that has "Therapy Dog" printed on it, but by golly, I know I feel a heckuva lot better whenever she's there by my side.

She goes in the truck with me when we go into town to pick up the mail. She insists on riding in the front passenger seat instead of in the pickup bed like all of my previous dogs. I'm sure it's just because she wants to make sure I don't have some kind of anxiety attack.

She goes with me to bring the mules in from the pasture and insists on herding them in herself because she doesn't want to cause me any stress.

She's with me throughout the day while I do chores, just to make sure I don't overdo it. In fact, she's lying here at my feet right now while I write this.

At around two o'clock every afternoon, she gives me a little "nose poke" on my leg, no matter what I'm doing, to remind me it's time for the two of us to go upstairs and take a nap...I'm certain it's because she wants me to relax and avoid stress.

Then finally, around ten o'clock at night, just after the news, I get another little "nose poke" to let me know it's time for bed. Suzy climbs the stairs with me, gets in her bed, which is right next to my side of the bed Ms. Judy and I sleep in, and stays there the rest of the night, doing her best to protect me from bad dreams or things that go bump in the night.

My grown kids give me a hard time saying that they never thought they'd see the day when I'd let one of the stock dogs sleep in the house. I just smile and tell them that Suzy is my therapy dog.

Therapy dog? You betcha. I know there are a lot of people who don't have the luxury of owning a dog. I believe every kid should have a dog. If for nothing else, the dog teaches the kid to turn around three times before lying down to go to sleep.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

MP done hit the nail right on the head. Dogs are just good company.

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Eccentric old coot

I think it's a great idea - everyone can learn from dogs...maybe they could fire 2/3rds of the staff to fund the project...just saying...

Pete99004

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Don't tread on me

A well-trained dog on the payroll is the least of our problems.
Go for it. Heck, the dog probably possess more reasoning power than the idiot politicians.
Maybe the dog can chase bad guys and protect the school too. Probably need two dogs...
one cuddly Golden for a calming influence and one Malinois to deliver pain therapy to those that needs it.


Don't get me started on 'safe spaces.' I just can't.

A dog is seldom a problem. A bad dog, owner, a dog "expert", a dreamer out of touch with reality, a idiot do gooder on the other hand can be way more of a problem than any dog.

My dog phobia from being mauled as a child means I desperately avoid canines, but I've seen benefits they provide to others and I'd be proud if my school district was open-minded enough to employ them for children's benefit.

I'm amazed at some of the sentiments expressed in this thread. And disappointed in some forum members who I thought would know better. Some folks' day just doesn't seem to be complete for them unless they're griping, complaining, or making fun of something or someone. Or whining about their "tax dollars".

Therapy dogs have been in extensive use in this country and around the world for so many years, I can't even remember when the practice came into play.

Anyone here remember September 11, 2001, and all the dogs who helped? Anyone?

Any of you folks ever see a wounded, disabled, and traumatized veteran with a therapy dog? Or therapy dogs on the battlefield?

How about a handicapped child with a therapy dog or a service dog? A kid in a wheelchair who can't even open the refrigerator or turn on a light switch by himself? Ever see that? Or a classroom full of kids who are mentally and physically challenged? Downs Syndrome kids, autistic kids?

Or a blind person with a Seeing Eye Dog? Same thing...or don't you consider that therapy?

What's wrong with some of y'all? Never get outside in the real world and see what's going on all around you?

I have no problems with therapy dogs in general. Who would?

I have questions when a school system starts a K9 program, on their on. State owned dogs cost BIG bucks. I know.

If volunteers bring in dogs for special events or show-and-tail type days, I don't question it. Fantastic idea. The cops and firefighters used to when I was in school.

I think the school systems needs to stick to education. That's all.

Maybe I'm just old school.

Side note: Prison inmates need to be making little rocks out of big rocks, not petting dogs to pass the time. Unless it's an incentive, after work hours.

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Death? Smile back...

Spend the day with a bunch of school kids? My dog would do it for free, and we'd have a hard time getting her to come home at the end of the day.

Therapy dogs are far better than therapy peacocks.

'Wouldn't be surprised if the school district creates a $100K position for the person taking care of the dog.

WardenRoss pretty much spoke for me....I too have no problem with therapy dogs...So many useful places for them, and they do excellent for which they are trained.

But I cannot get it thru my head how a small farming town of 1000 people find it beneficial to have on the school coffers two therapy dogs. I grew up in and around that town. The money being spent could be better spent on school supplies, teacher salaries, school activities..a school bus field trip to XYZ.

As far as a therapy dog in prison, that's where many, many are trained. Kudo's to those prisoners who train them. No doubt it is hard for them to give up that dog which they have spend so many many hours with.

Let me clarify...I too have a dog, and she gives me great comfort. She is a real terror, she will wag her tail lick you to death.

But I will not relent, I do not believe it is necessary to have a therapy dog on the payroll of a school system, that can barely afford necessities for the kids.


WuzzFuzz

All I know is that you can be having the worst day ever and all it takes is a little nuzzle and the wag of a tail to make it all better.

I read that in middle Europe stubborn sheep were handled by Rottweilers. They are more physical than other herding dogs and bump the sheep and bite at their heels to make them go in the right direction. We have a little Rotter that muscles our two much bigger dogs around. She will catch up to them and bump them in the shoulder and down they go. Then she prances around them like she's big stuff.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

You need a good tempered dog. Get a Golden or a Lab. They will help you chase those bad memories away.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Our North American pit bull terrier Bob will sleep with the wife when she dozes on the couch or in her bed. When she's away visiting our grandkid I get the honors most of the time. His bed is in my room as we speak. Come a thunderstorm and no one's home but me I end up with about 90 pounds of quivering heavily panting dog on my lap. Frank

The last time that one of my clients was audited by Illinois, I had to lend the Illinois auditor bus fare to get home because she had not been paid. I guess the budget has improved.

If I have offended any here with my comments about K9's in school systems, I apologize.

I have been on the administrative side of "state" dogs in the past and the cost is a challenge. To start a K9 program it takes $35,000* for police work.

A school K9 program (call it therapy program if you wish) start-up would be less, but still the costs have to be considered. Thus my comments about allowing certified volunteers to provide the service.

Yes, I love dogs and every boy should have the privilege of having one for a great companion.

Also, "live work programs" for inmates to train rescued dogs is a great idea. The inmate must work toward lowering his security (good behaviour) as an incentive to get into this program. Similar to inmate firefighters.

As far as bringing in therapy dogs for inmates to cuddle and pet, I see this as a liberal idea. UNLESS it is an incentive award for after work hours. Shouldn't inmates be put to work during business hours? Perhaps recidivism is high because "time" is too easy to do.

Off my soap box.


*
http://asctk9.org/sitebuildercontent...nCouttsPDF.pdf

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Death? Smile back...

My wife and I both have dogs we trained and got certified as therapy dogs.We will soon be starting hospital visits schools and a autism center .My wife’s previous therapy dog also did a reading program with 1st grade children.We still run into parents and students who praise and ask about Murphy .My good girl has been gone three years now and is still missed by those she helped.My wife and I are both volunteers.I recently took my big boy out to the staging area where they were looking for the man who murdered Sgt Daniel Baker (May you Rest In Peace Daniel)He was very welcome among the first responders and their families.
I am going to retire in a few years.And part of my retirement plan is to spend a lot more time volunteering.My big guy (Doc) Is teaching me to be nicer to people again instead of viewing all as suspects.

Rottweilers are officially classed as Working Dogs, although throughout history, they were used to herd livestock. They were also known as "Butchers' Dogs". They were used to herd the cattle to market. After the sale, the money was put in a purse tied around the Rottweiler's neck...where no sane would-be thief would dare try to steal it.

When I was a kid growing up apart from “seeing eye dogs” there was no such thing as a therapy dog. What most of us were taught was to “man it up and deal with it, and a real man does not show emotion which is a weakness.”

I managed to make it through life well following the above advise. But I believe my life might have been a little easier if I did not been trained to be cold, cool and dispassionate no matter what happened.

I could have used a therapy dog from time to time, how about the rest of Ya?

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Always Stay Strong!

Hmmmm...I can't say how I turned out..That is still under construction...As I remember, many of the boys had a dog..(at home)...The girls would have a kitten to raise.....It taught responsibility....

I'm going to tell on myself....I was around 5 years old I guess...I remember my first dog was Blackie, a sort of mutt mix.

Anyway, the first time I saw Blackie take I dump in the yard, I went running out with some toilet paper..What did I know then???? I thought they needed to be wiped...So I guess you might say, Blackie taught me, they didn't need to be wiped.

Don't remember what ever became of Blackie....But the next one was "Boots"...

My mother gave in when Boots had her pups...Dead of winter and bitter cold...She had her pups out in the unheated garage....2 of her pups died from exposure, so my mother gave in and let Boots and the reminder pups be brought into the back porch...Not heated but it was better than out in the garage.

I guess that episode taught me about compassion.

Were they comfort dogs, therapy dogs or service dogs? I don't know. Maybe a little of both for a little boy at that time.


WuzzFuzz

One of the great disappointments in my life and my Granddaughter's is that she's allergic to dogs, even our Shih Tzu. She loves the dog, but can't stay around her for long. Real shame. Good on you if you can have a relationship with a dog. Cherish that.

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Foster Positivity.

I currently have a little female Shih Tsu “Ellie” that is my little buddy. Come home after a hard day and there she is happy as can be to see me. They are sweet and lovable breed.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy