In 2010 we had a lot of new teams go through training which is a good thing because in 2011 I will be taking a break from doing any training of new teams. There are testers available in Hendersonville and Greenville, just check the TDI Inc website for thier contact information.
The Pavillion, located in Mill Spring/Sunny View area, a drug and alcohol treatment center is looking for someone to come to visit once a month. The contact there is:
Deb Williamson
800-392-4808
Polk County Adult Day Care is also opening up and will need Pet Pals to visit. Please contact them to set up a time to visit.
Christy Beddingfield
828-894-2007
Friday, December 17, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
2010 Training Announced
The dates of the training have been set. There may be some slight changes as we go depending on how many people participate in the training but please plan on these dates and locations for now.
Please let me know if you are planning to attend and when or if you would like to be taken off this list. Once you respond I will let you know where you can pick up your paperwork that needs to be completed BEFORE the training. Call or e-mail 864-415-5804 or tricoach@windstream.net
You are required to attend 3 of these training sessions. Your first training session is preferably going to be one of the first 3 because that is when we will be going over the introduction and the initial training video will be shown. During the first training session you will also be asked to commit to when and where you plan to be visiting over the year. You are required to make 8 visits over the course of the year. They can be at any location but must be documented. If you are unable to commit to visiting on a regular basis you will not be allowed to continue through the training.
You can read more about our program at www.polkcountypetpals.blogspot.com and at www.therapydogs.com
Saturday February 6, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1, 4:00 Group 2 - Laurel Hurst, Columbus NC
Saturday February 7, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1, 4:00 Group 2 – Laurel Hurst, Columbus NC
Tuesday February 16, 2010 -3:00 Group 1 & 2 – Laurel Hurst, Columbus, NC
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1 & 2 – Tryon Estates, Columbus, NC
Sunday, February 28, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1 & 2 – White Oak, Tryon, NC
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1 & 2 – White Oak, Tryon, NC
Saturday, March 6, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1 & 2 – White Oak, Tryon, NC
Please let me know if you are planning to attend and when or if you would like to be taken off this list. Once you respond I will let you know where you can pick up your paperwork that needs to be completed BEFORE the training. Call or e-mail 864-415-5804 or tricoach@windstream.net
You are required to attend 3 of these training sessions. Your first training session is preferably going to be one of the first 3 because that is when we will be going over the introduction and the initial training video will be shown. During the first training session you will also be asked to commit to when and where you plan to be visiting over the year. You are required to make 8 visits over the course of the year. They can be at any location but must be documented. If you are unable to commit to visiting on a regular basis you will not be allowed to continue through the training.
You can read more about our program at www.polkcountypetpals.blogspot.com and at www.therapydogs.com
Saturday February 6, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1, 4:00 Group 2 - Laurel Hurst, Columbus NC
Saturday February 7, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1, 4:00 Group 2 – Laurel Hurst, Columbus NC
Tuesday February 16, 2010 -3:00 Group 1 & 2 – Laurel Hurst, Columbus, NC
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1 & 2 – Tryon Estates, Columbus, NC
Sunday, February 28, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1 & 2 – White Oak, Tryon, NC
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1 & 2 – White Oak, Tryon, NC
Saturday, March 6, 2010 – 3:00 Group 1 & 2 – White Oak, Tryon, NC
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Which of my dogs will make the best Therapy Dog
This question came to me recently; "I have multiple dogs so I do I chose the right one to go through the Therapy Dog training with me and what do I do to prepare for the training?"
The way to tell the perfect Therapy dog is to see which one LOVES people the most. It needs to be a dog that is very outgoing without being obnoxious. It is the dog that runs to strangers to get affection. At the same time you can walk it on a leash and it will mind you. You can practice by taking your dog out with you to Petsmart and/or Home Depot since both allow dogs and are a great place to expose your pet to new environments. You can also take the dog for walks in the park, like Harmon Field or Fence.
It also seems that size matters - small dogs are very popular because you can pick them up and let people pet them and big dogs are large enough to just walk up next to a bed or wheel chair and be touched. Medium size dogs are often too big to be picked up but yet too small to be reached by those in bed. This is not saying that there are not some very good medium sized Therapy Dogs but it is just something to consider when you have multiple dogs to chose from.
Taking an obedience class with the dog beforehand is also a great idea just so you learn how to handle a dog correctly. We will cover a little bit of this during the Therapy Dog training but you would be ahead of the learning curve if you made this extra effort. It will add to your experience and knowledge as well as be a good learning tool for you and your dog.
The way to tell the perfect Therapy dog is to see which one LOVES people the most. It needs to be a dog that is very outgoing without being obnoxious. It is the dog that runs to strangers to get affection. At the same time you can walk it on a leash and it will mind you. You can practice by taking your dog out with you to Petsmart and/or Home Depot since both allow dogs and are a great place to expose your pet to new environments. You can also take the dog for walks in the park, like Harmon Field or Fence.
It also seems that size matters - small dogs are very popular because you can pick them up and let people pet them and big dogs are large enough to just walk up next to a bed or wheel chair and be touched. Medium size dogs are often too big to be picked up but yet too small to be reached by those in bed. This is not saying that there are not some very good medium sized Therapy Dogs but it is just something to consider when you have multiple dogs to chose from.
Taking an obedience class with the dog beforehand is also a great idea just so you learn how to handle a dog correctly. We will cover a little bit of this during the Therapy Dog training but you would be ahead of the learning curve if you made this extra effort. It will add to your experience and knowledge as well as be a good learning tool for you and your dog.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
How do I become a member?
Once a year Polk County Pet Pals holds training for teams. A team consists of a dog and a handler. The dog must be friendly, willing, non-agressive with people or other dogs and under control. They don't have to have formal obedience training but they should be obedient and know basic commands. The training is really to teach you and your dog how to behave in a nursing home in order to have a happy and safe visit. The "observer" from Therapy Dogs Inc. must meet with each team 3 times before they can be approved and signed off on.
The cost? A commitment from each team to visit at least 8 times within the year. If you can't commit to this don't bother coming to the training. Training is for people who are committed to volunteering. If you want a title for your dog you need to go somewhere else!
Therapy Dogs Inc. charges $35 for your registration and insurance per year for the first year and then $25 to renew every year after that.
The next training session will take place in January or February 2010.
The cost? A commitment from each team to visit at least 8 times within the year. If you can't commit to this don't bother coming to the training. Training is for people who are committed to volunteering. If you want a title for your dog you need to go somewhere else!
Therapy Dogs Inc. charges $35 for your registration and insurance per year for the first year and then $25 to renew every year after that.
The next training session will take place in January or February 2010.
Where to Visit:
Magnolia Manor
864-472-9055
Contact is Katilia Brannon
Check in at front desk and ask for Katilia - Make sure you have your PAPERWORK! The people here love to see our dogs.
Directions:
This is in Inman, SC
Option #1 - Take 176 towards Spartanburg (from Landrum) go all the way to Inman. Take a RIGHT on 292 (away from the town of Inman) go about 400 yards. Veer LEFT on Blackstock Rd. Magnolia Manor is the 2nd nursing home on your LEFT only about 200 yards down Blackstock Rd.
Option #2 - Take I-26 to exit #10. Take a Right off the exit ramp and go all the way into Inman. At the first light go Left. Stay on main Rd that veers to the right. At the light go straight across Hwy 176. Take a left on Blackstock Rd. Go about 100 yards and Magnolia Manor will be the 2nd nursing home on your Left.
Camp Care
864-472-2028
Lisa Jobst
The people here LOVE to see our dogs! It is worth the trip.
Inman
Option #1 take I-26 to exit #10. Take a Right off the exit ramp and go all the way into Inman. At the first light go Left. Stay on main Rd that veers to the right. At the light go straight across Hwy 176. Take a left on Blackstock Rd. Go about 100 yards and Camp Care will be on your Left.
OPTION # 2 - Take 176 towards Spartanburg (from Landrum) go all the way to Inman. Take a RIGHT on 292 (away from the town of Inman) go about 400 yards. Veer LEFT on Blackstock Rd. Camp Care is the 1st Nursing home on your LEFT only about 100 yards down Blackstock Rd.
Tryon Estates
828-894-5500 x360
Contact is Caroline Eller
We visit at Oak Brook Terrace and Willowbrook. You need to call first!
Directions:
This is in Columbus, NC
From downtown Columbus take Walker Street to the stop sign. Take a Right on Peniel Rd. Go about 1 mile and you will see the entrance to Tryon Estates on your Right. Go to the guard house to check in. Follow the main road all the way until you see a sign for Oak Bridge Terrace & Willowbrook. Turn left into that parking lot (it will be just past a small putting range).
White Oak
828-859-9161 x221
Jennifer Frederick
Directions:
This is in Tryon, NC
Take Hwy 176 into Tryon (from Columbus) Take a Left onto Palmer Street immediately after Stott's Ford. Cross over Maple St. at the end take a quick left and then almost an immediate right into the parking lot at White Oak.
Laurel Hurst
864-529-8041
Vera Monzitta
Call first to make sure residents will be available. You can visit both buildings as long as you schedule it like that. You need to talk to the Activities Director.
Directions:
This is in Columbus, NC
The entrance is located directly across the street from St. Luke's Hospital off Hwy 108. We visit in the building closest to the road
Life Care - Adult Day Care
828-288-1697
John
Directions:
This is located in Rutherfordton
Directions from Polk County: Hwy 74E (4-lane)take the Rutherfordton Exit/221. At the end of the ramp, turn left, traveling 221N toward Rutherfordton. You will travel approximately 2-4 miles. You will come to the bottom of a hill, where there is a traffic light. Turn right onto Thunder Road (if you turn left it is Coxe Rd). Travel Thunder Road 1-2 miles and you will come to a group of businesses on your left. You will pass an insurance building, a vets office, a dentist. LIFE Care is on the LEFT next to LIFE Start.
864-472-9055
Contact is Katilia Brannon
Check in at front desk and ask for Katilia - Make sure you have your PAPERWORK! The people here love to see our dogs.
Directions:
This is in Inman, SC
Option #1 - Take 176 towards Spartanburg (from Landrum) go all the way to Inman. Take a RIGHT on 292 (away from the town of Inman) go about 400 yards. Veer LEFT on Blackstock Rd. Magnolia Manor is the 2nd nursing home on your LEFT only about 200 yards down Blackstock Rd.
Option #2 - Take I-26 to exit #10. Take a Right off the exit ramp and go all the way into Inman. At the first light go Left. Stay on main Rd that veers to the right. At the light go straight across Hwy 176. Take a left on Blackstock Rd. Go about 100 yards and Magnolia Manor will be the 2nd nursing home on your Left.
Camp Care
864-472-2028
Lisa Jobst
The people here LOVE to see our dogs! It is worth the trip.
Inman
Option #1 take I-26 to exit #10. Take a Right off the exit ramp and go all the way into Inman. At the first light go Left. Stay on main Rd that veers to the right. At the light go straight across Hwy 176. Take a left on Blackstock Rd. Go about 100 yards and Camp Care will be on your Left.
OPTION # 2 - Take 176 towards Spartanburg (from Landrum) go all the way to Inman. Take a RIGHT on 292 (away from the town of Inman) go about 400 yards. Veer LEFT on Blackstock Rd. Camp Care is the 1st Nursing home on your LEFT only about 100 yards down Blackstock Rd.
Tryon Estates
828-894-5500 x360
Contact is Caroline Eller
We visit at Oak Brook Terrace and Willowbrook. You need to call first!
Directions:
This is in Columbus, NC
From downtown Columbus take Walker Street to the stop sign. Take a Right on Peniel Rd. Go about 1 mile and you will see the entrance to Tryon Estates on your Right. Go to the guard house to check in. Follow the main road all the way until you see a sign for Oak Bridge Terrace & Willowbrook. Turn left into that parking lot (it will be just past a small putting range).
White Oak
828-859-9161 x221
Jennifer Frederick
Directions:
This is in Tryon, NC
Take Hwy 176 into Tryon (from Columbus) Take a Left onto Palmer Street immediately after Stott's Ford. Cross over Maple St. at the end take a quick left and then almost an immediate right into the parking lot at White Oak.
Laurel Hurst
864-529-8041
Vera Monzitta
Call first to make sure residents will be available. You can visit both buildings as long as you schedule it like that. You need to talk to the Activities Director.
Directions:
This is in Columbus, NC
The entrance is located directly across the street from St. Luke's Hospital off Hwy 108. We visit in the building closest to the road
Life Care - Adult Day Care
828-288-1697
John
Directions:
This is located in Rutherfordton
Directions from Polk County: Hwy 74E (4-lane)take the Rutherfordton Exit/221. At the end of the ramp, turn left, traveling 221N toward Rutherfordton. You will travel approximately 2-4 miles. You will come to the bottom of a hill, where there is a traffic light. Turn right onto Thunder Road (if you turn left it is Coxe Rd). Travel Thunder Road 1-2 miles and you will come to a group of businesses on your left. You will pass an insurance building, a vets office, a dentist. LIFE Care is on the LEFT next to LIFE Start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
