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There are several Icelandic Sheepdogs who work as therapy and reading dogs throughout the United States.
Let us introduce you to some of our dogs and their stories.
Thorri, TDI, CGC and West Hills Angel, TDI, CGC
Let us introduce you to some of our dogs and their stories.
Thorri, TDI, CGC and West Hills Angel, TDI, CGC
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| Click on photos to enlarge |
Kol was voted Top Therapy Dog by the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club in 2007. Kol story includes several
trips to an Alzheimer’s facility and the people just love her. They may no longer remember who they are, but
Kol's grandma-in-law, who is in the facility, remembers Kol's name. It is pretty touching to see Kol work with
them, sit quietly for petting, and nudge the hand that forgets what they were doing.
Studies demonstrate that touching a dog brings down blood pressure and heart rate, relaxes a person. Anyone
who has a dog knows this is true and Kol reminds us of the benefits of her therapy dog work every time we go.
She is quite a trooper; it is a joy-filled opportunity to share our beautiful breed with those who need a little love.
trips to an Alzheimer’s facility and the people just love her. They may no longer remember who they are, but
Kol's grandma-in-law, who is in the facility, remembers Kol's name. It is pretty touching to see Kol work with
them, sit quietly for petting, and nudge the hand that forgets what they were doing.
Studies demonstrate that touching a dog brings down blood pressure and heart rate, relaxes a person. Anyone
who has a dog knows this is true and Kol reminds us of the benefits of her therapy dog work every time we go.
She is quite a trooper; it is a joy-filled opportunity to share our beautiful breed with those who need a little love.
We have friends who have a son with autism. When we visit he doesn’t seem too interested in playing with us,
BUT... when Greta comes into the room he just lights up. He loves her kisses and spends the entire time of all
visits attempting to get near to her. It really tugs at your heartstrings in a major way to see his parents' reaction.
They love to see Miss G. coming. We love it too.
BUT... when Greta comes into the room he just lights up. He loves her kisses and spends the entire time of all
visits attempting to get near to her. It really tugs at your heartstrings in a major way to see his parents' reaction.
They love to see Miss G. coming. We love it too.
There are many more stories, such as these. We encourage you to do this rewarding work with your dog.
More information can be found on the following web sites.
More information can be found on the following web sites.
Kiska is a therapy and reading dog through Therapy Dog International (TDI). TDI is an AKC approved
certification to test and register qualified dogs and handlers for the purpose of visitations to hospitals, nursing
homes and facilities or any place where therapy dogs are needed. TDI also does a lot with reading and young
kids. Several schools have programs to help young readers become more comfortable reading. The kids are
hooked up with a therapy dog who “listens” to the kids read. TDI's Reading Program "Children Reading to
Dogs" is a relatively new program for TDI. Libraries and schools schedule reading hours for children and
Therapy Dogs. Children and dogs bond together over a shared story. Children's confidence and reading skills
grow in a relaxing environment.
To become certified by TDI, the dog must first pass the CGC test. Then they have to past additional testing.
They are tested around medical equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers, or other devices. The
dogs must walk on a loose leash and pass food on the ground. Dogs must respond appropriately to people
walking with uneven gaits, shuffling, breathing, heavily, coughing, wheezing or other distractions that may be
encountered in a facility. The dog must be willing to be petted by strangers.
We do not have the dogs wear vests during therapy visits because we want people to be able to pet the dogs.
The close contact is important and vests interfere.
The dogs receive Therapy Dog tags to wear on their collars and the handlers receive an identification card with
the member dog's photo to show that the dog has been certified.
TDI also provides liability insurance coverage during visits.
certification to test and register qualified dogs and handlers for the purpose of visitations to hospitals, nursing
homes and facilities or any place where therapy dogs are needed. TDI also does a lot with reading and young
kids. Several schools have programs to help young readers become more comfortable reading. The kids are
hooked up with a therapy dog who “listens” to the kids read. TDI's Reading Program "Children Reading to
Dogs" is a relatively new program for TDI. Libraries and schools schedule reading hours for children and
Therapy Dogs. Children and dogs bond together over a shared story. Children's confidence and reading skills
grow in a relaxing environment.
To become certified by TDI, the dog must first pass the CGC test. Then they have to past additional testing.
They are tested around medical equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers, or other devices. The
dogs must walk on a loose leash and pass food on the ground. Dogs must respond appropriately to people
walking with uneven gaits, shuffling, breathing, heavily, coughing, wheezing or other distractions that may be
encountered in a facility. The dog must be willing to be petted by strangers.
We do not have the dogs wear vests during therapy visits because we want people to be able to pet the dogs.
The close contact is important and vests interfere.
The dogs receive Therapy Dog tags to wear on their collars and the handlers receive an identification card with
the member dog's photo to show that the dog has been certified.
TDI also provides liability insurance coverage during visits.
We got Thorri, the red one, in 1998. He started doing therapy dog work at nursing homes and the Children’s
Hospital when he was 2. We got Angel in 2005 and she started when she was one. It didn’t take much training
on our part because these guys have such a great temperament. Just a basic training and Good Canine Citizen
(CGC) class is usually all you need to take to get certified. Once they are certified you can either join a club,
like we did for a while or just go on visits on our own.
Thorri and Angel have been taught that when we go into a resident’s room, they are to go over to them and
“visit”. This will usually include lots of kisses. The residents love it Thorri usually sits on their feet. Sometimes, I
will get them up on a chair next to the residents or put them in their bed.
Most of the people in the nursing homes had animals they had to give up when they were admitted to the facility.
When they see the dogs, their eyes light up. It is a great feeling.
In 2006 we started going to the Veteran’s Hospital in Richmond. The girls and guys coming home from the wars
need lots of therapy. They will throw the dogs’ squeaky toys in the rec room, which helps out with physical
rehabilitation.
There is also another thing my “kids” and I do for fun. They are certified Reading Education Assistance Dogs.
This program was established many years ago but it is just starting to take off in Richmond.
We will go to a school library two or three times a month. In order to get certified you must go through a short
orientation with the National Association for READ. If they are already certified therapy dogs, it is just a matter
of filling out a form and sending in your fee.
I alternate Thorri and Angel on the visits. They sit in a quiet part of the library and have one of the children who
have signed up read to them for about 20 minutes. It is usually a child who is having problems reading to an
adult. The dogs are not intimidating to them so they are more comfortable. The children are tested at the
beginning and end of the season. There is a marked improvement in their reading skills.
Hospital when he was 2. We got Angel in 2005 and she started when she was one. It didn’t take much training
on our part because these guys have such a great temperament. Just a basic training and Good Canine Citizen
(CGC) class is usually all you need to take to get certified. Once they are certified you can either join a club,
like we did for a while or just go on visits on our own.
Thorri and Angel have been taught that when we go into a resident’s room, they are to go over to them and
“visit”. This will usually include lots of kisses. The residents love it Thorri usually sits on their feet. Sometimes, I
will get them up on a chair next to the residents or put them in their bed.
Most of the people in the nursing homes had animals they had to give up when they were admitted to the facility.
When they see the dogs, their eyes light up. It is a great feeling.
In 2006 we started going to the Veteran’s Hospital in Richmond. The girls and guys coming home from the wars
need lots of therapy. They will throw the dogs’ squeaky toys in the rec room, which helps out with physical
rehabilitation.
There is also another thing my “kids” and I do for fun. They are certified Reading Education Assistance Dogs.
This program was established many years ago but it is just starting to take off in Richmond.
We will go to a school library two or three times a month. In order to get certified you must go through a short
orientation with the National Association for READ. If they are already certified therapy dogs, it is just a matter
of filling out a form and sending in your fee.
I alternate Thorri and Angel on the visits. They sit in a quiet part of the library and have one of the children who
have signed up read to them for about 20 minutes. It is usually a child who is having problems reading to an
adult. The dogs are not intimidating to them so they are more comfortable. The children are tested at the
beginning and end of the season. There is a marked improvement in their reading skills.
North Star Kiska, TDI, CGC, NJP
U-CH Pineridge Kolperla TDI, CGC
Greta