Anyone have a staffy as a therapy dog

Hi, I am a new comer to the forum, and a lover of staffies, owning a 2 year old rescue boy called Bodhi. He's been a challenging little bundle at times but wouldn't be without him.

I've recently started volunteering with a staffy charity and am hoping to find someone who would be happy to talk about their staffy becoming a therapy dog to be included as part of a blog about happy staff stories.

It would just involve answering a few questions, I'd be happy to do all the hard work and give all the credit (or not, if that's preferred)

Hope someone would be interested in helping but thanks for taking the time to read anyway.

Welcome to the forum

Sadly not, my fella wouldn't be up to that standard of behaviour. But I applaud you on the idea and anyone who is able to do these things

We certainly did have a member who was taking the course/exams but I'm not sure if they are still active.

I think its a great thing to do and maybe approach the vet or speak to them directly.

Hi by the way Xx

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

My hubby and me have been considering Rocky to be a PAT dog in about a years time, when he has calmed down a little more

It may be worth you contacted their site directly to ask your question there:

http://www.petsastherapy.org/

Welcome . I wanted Loki to be a therapy dog but he's too much of a wild maniac good idea from Kathy though, contact them, see if they can help you out.

The one Janey is referring to has a very successful staffies as a service dog, but i think she may have left in bad terms

Hi and welcome from me and tyke, why not pop and introduce your self hear

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

As far as tyke goes he has a brill temprement BUT his obedience would not be up to scratch.

I think a staff been a therapy dog would be brill!!!

This is something I'd like Tank to do, he has a great soft personality, loves everyone n everything.
I've looked into it on the pat website.

Any advice is welcome !

Thanks for all the lovely welcomes Also love everyone quietly admitting their staffies are on the slightly bonkers side for being a therapy dog!! Sadly Mr Bodhi is a little too "exuberant" as well.

I've contacted PAT directly too, I'll keep everyone updated if I get anywhere.

I think my girl Tilly would make a fantastic PAT dog and would love to learn more where I think my boy Tommy would make the perfect **** dog so keen for feedback

Seriously though Tilly is such a fantastic friendly little person , maybe this is her outlet , not 100% obedient (stay , etc) scared a little of agility , but getting a fuss made of her

I'd love for Dragon to be a therapy dog, he's very calm with people and quite obedient, I think he would do amazing because he's just so calm and he would just get on his back so people can rub his belly only thing is he's dog aggressive and I'm not sure if they would allow a dog like that, but ill be looking into this in the future! He's made me "overcome" my fear of dogs.

Just a quick update. PAT came back to me to say they have loads of staffies as therapy dogs. Also went on to say that they did a recent session at Crufts and of all the dogs they took the staff was by far the best and was absolutely brilliant at meeting people etc. Thus has delighted me for obvious reasons but she's also passing my details onto the owner to see if I can get some input to my planned blog.

Sooooooo pleased

Great news and a great update keep us updated Xx

Great progress already

I haven't done it with my Maggie our Staffy x as I stopped before I got her. But did 6 years with Gizmo our Jack Russell and Millie our Australian Kelpi x. They really enjoyed it.

Good luck I'm sure you'll both really enjoy it.

SRS14 wrote:Just a quick update. PAT came back to me to say they have loads of staffies as therapy dogs. Also went on to say that they did a recent session at Crufts and of all the dogs they took the staff was by far the best and was absolutely brilliant at meeting people etc. Thus has delighted me for obvious reasons but she's also passing my details onto the owner to see if I can get some input to my planned blog.

Sooooooo pleased

That's great that you got a reply from PAT so quickly, I personally cannot think of any breed of dog more suitable for this purpose. It's almost as if they are made for the job.

I just became a member and wanted to reply about pet therapy. My staffie and I having been doing pet therapy for close to three years now at the hospital I work. I go once a week and my staffie ,Ozzy, and I enjoy every visit. It is a great time with people in need of a little pet therapy. The Patients just love the visit and it makes their day.

It might be worth contacting the breed council as I think the breed club secretary has a PAT Stafford

A lovely lady has got back to me about her staffy girl Kaja who was at Crufts this month and sounds like she is a wonderful rescue staffy. Just trying to write something now but I will try and share when it's done.

Awesome

Looking forward to reading it

OK, it's taken me sometime as I got punted off to foreign climes by my work but, this is Kaja's story - I may have to steal this dog

http://bit.ly/13Ia6XS


If you do like it and wouldn't mind sharing on the inter web that would be lovely.

I know Tracey, she's a wonerfull lady and her current dog is gorgous. I first met Tracey at an open show. She helped me tame kenny lol x

I planned on doing it with Harvey until they told me he would have to be routinely vaccinated etc and he doesn't get vax at all

They have since emailed me back saying they now accept nosodes instead of vax so it's something i'm looking into again

SRS14 wrote:OK, it's taken me sometime as I got punted off to foreign climes by my work but, this is Kaja's story - I may have to steal this dog

http://bit.ly/13Ia6XS


If you do like it and wouldn't mind sharing on the inter web that would be lovely.

Unable to get the link working for me, never mind will try again a bit later.

Try Staffordshirerescuescotland.org/blog

SRS14 wrote:Try Staffordshirerescuescotland.org/blog

Thanks got that, lovely to read Kaja's story and all the good work she does

We went through all the assessment and paperwork for Kerry to become a PAT dog just before Christmas. Fingers crossed for her.