PAWS FOR PEOPLE
Our Mission … Is to bring together dogs and people in a warm, non-threatening manner, allowing them to interact positively through use of our controlled and friendly approach.
Our History … We enjoy assisting our dogs in interacting positively with young and old alike. We have trained with our dogs for many, many hours, so that they work well and we always ensure that they enjoy what they do. We are eternally grateful to our dogs for giving us this wonderful opportunity to meet people we would otherwise never have had the pleasure of interacting with.
Our Responsibility … Is to ensure that our dogs are in perfect health, of excellent temperament, trained to the highest possible standard and above all … that they love people and other animals.
Our Vision … Is to dispel any negative beliefs people have about domestic animals and to bring untold joy to old and young alike, through the basic means of a loving and willing dog.
Our Future … Is to continue creating Therapy Dog Units nation-wide so as to offer more people the advantages of interacting with friendly dogs and share the unconditional love they offer. Beyond this we are looking towards training our wonderful dogs in many more service orientated activities. Our dogs “paws” for people.
Regular Visits Paws for People® Current Operating Programs
Regions that Paws for People® operate in:
East Rand Region
Johannesburg North & West Region
Vaal Region
Natal Region
Temperament & Training Requirements
for Prospective Therapy Dogs
Temperament:
The temperament of an appropriate therapy dog is one of stability, tolerance and consistency in behaviour. Although Paws for People® allows dogs to attend visits at the age of 12 months, they cannot be permanently certified until the age of 18 months, due to behavioural changes that may occur at this age. Dogs must be able to cope with a reasonable amount of noise and stress! Puppy visits may be done under supervision till the age of 5-months. Aggression will NOT be tolerated.
Profile of an appropriate Therapy Dog is not limited by breed (other than the dangerous dog legislation as specified by our insurance company), size or shape. The prospective dog should be interested in people, tolerant of other animals, and able to cope with new environments/situations.
Training:
The handler and dog team has to pass the AKC CGC (American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen) test and the Paws for People® skills and aptitude test. These specific tests are used as they are geared towards situations that may be encountered during therapy calls.
Over and above this the handler-dog team must successfully complete six supervised visits before they may be certified. Supervised visits may NOT be done in hospitals!
The dog must be able to stand, sit or lie quietly (on command by the handler) on the floor to allow a person to brush, pat or generally interact with him/her. The dog must tolerate other dogs/animals and general handling that includes feet and ears.
Dogs trained to aggressively protect and/or encouraged to actively bite, even as a component of a dog sport – i.e. – bite work that is part of Schutzhund work – shall not be evaluated, nor can they ever be used as therapy dogs. Dogs trained to react obsessively to toys or other articles as rewards in training shall not be evaluated.
Should a dog exhibit any signs of stress or aggression at visits, the handler and dog team can/may be suspended! Paws for People® working parameters and all other relevant documentation will be available to the handler team once all tests have been passed, and all payments (testing fee & public liability insurance contribution) have been made by the handler.
Health Requirements
If any of the following symptoms exist a dog will not be permitted to be tested or conduct/attend any visits to any facility:-
skin rashes, lameness, extreme hair shedding, runny nose, change in eating and/or elimination habits, odd smelling ears or breath, vomiting, eye infections, diarrhea and/or bloody stools, sutures (stitches), chronic illness, female in season or during the time duration that any medications for infections or illness are being administered.
The following canine health regulations must be in place before any supervised visit is allowed:-
Upcoming Assessment Dates GAUTENG:
Date: to be advised...
Venue: Progressive Dog Training Centre/Paws for People® Assessment Centre
Corner Main Reef & Serfontein Roads, Roodepoort West.
Please make sure you fill in the questionnaire and read the requirements for assessment from the website!.
PLEASE READ THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSESSMENT CAREFULLY SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BRING TO THE ASSESSMENTS.
For more details contact Lesley de Klerk on 082 901 8267 or 'E' mail: [email protected]
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Our History … We enjoy assisting our dogs in interacting positively with young and old alike. We have trained with our dogs for many, many hours, so that they work well and we always ensure that they enjoy what they do. We are eternally grateful to our dogs for giving us this wonderful opportunity to meet people we would otherwise never have had the pleasure of interacting with.
Our Responsibility … Is to ensure that our dogs are in perfect health, of excellent temperament, trained to the highest possible standard and above all … that they love people and other animals.
Our Vision … Is to dispel any negative beliefs people have about domestic animals and to bring untold joy to old and young alike, through the basic means of a loving and willing dog.
Our Future … Is to continue creating Therapy Dog Units nation-wide so as to offer more people the advantages of interacting with friendly dogs and share the unconditional love they offer. Beyond this we are looking towards training our wonderful dogs in many more service orientated activities. Our dogs “paws” for people.
Regular Visits Paws for People® Current Operating Programs
Regions that Paws for People® operate in:
East Rand Region
Johannesburg North & West Region
Vaal Region
Natal Region
Temperament & Training Requirements
for Prospective Therapy Dogs
Temperament:
The temperament of an appropriate therapy dog is one of stability, tolerance and consistency in behaviour. Although Paws for People® allows dogs to attend visits at the age of 12 months, they cannot be permanently certified until the age of 18 months, due to behavioural changes that may occur at this age. Dogs must be able to cope with a reasonable amount of noise and stress! Puppy visits may be done under supervision till the age of 5-months. Aggression will NOT be tolerated.
Profile of an appropriate Therapy Dog is not limited by breed (other than the dangerous dog legislation as specified by our insurance company), size or shape. The prospective dog should be interested in people, tolerant of other animals, and able to cope with new environments/situations.
Training:
The handler and dog team has to pass the AKC CGC (American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen) test and the Paws for People® skills and aptitude test. These specific tests are used as they are geared towards situations that may be encountered during therapy calls.
Over and above this the handler-dog team must successfully complete six supervised visits before they may be certified. Supervised visits may NOT be done in hospitals!
The dog must be able to stand, sit or lie quietly (on command by the handler) on the floor to allow a person to brush, pat or generally interact with him/her. The dog must tolerate other dogs/animals and general handling that includes feet and ears.
Dogs trained to aggressively protect and/or encouraged to actively bite, even as a component of a dog sport – i.e. – bite work that is part of Schutzhund work – shall not be evaluated, nor can they ever be used as therapy dogs. Dogs trained to react obsessively to toys or other articles as rewards in training shall not be evaluated.
Should a dog exhibit any signs of stress or aggression at visits, the handler and dog team can/may be suspended! Paws for People® working parameters and all other relevant documentation will be available to the handler team once all tests have been passed, and all payments (testing fee & public liability insurance contribution) have been made by the handler.
Health Requirements
If any of the following symptoms exist a dog will not be permitted to be tested or conduct/attend any visits to any facility:-
skin rashes, lameness, extreme hair shedding, runny nose, change in eating and/or elimination habits, odd smelling ears or breath, vomiting, eye infections, diarrhea and/or bloody stools, sutures (stitches), chronic illness, female in season or during the time duration that any medications for infections or illness are being administered.
The following canine health regulations must be in place before any supervised visit is allowed:-
- Veterinary certification that the dog is in good health (including a fecal flotation test) to be renewed annually
- Proof of up-to-date vaccination
- Proof of de-worming every 3 months
- Proof of monthly flea and tick control
- Clean teeth, ears and eyes
- Dog to be groomed and coat clean
- Toenails trimmed if necessary and any rough edges filed
- All breeds of dogs over the age of 8 years, require an additional veterinary certification every 6 months, which clearly states that in the vet’s opinion the dog is capable of coping with the therapy activity or visits and that the dog currently has NO major health issues or problems
Upcoming Assessment Dates GAUTENG:
Date: to be advised...
Venue: Progressive Dog Training Centre/Paws for People® Assessment Centre
Corner Main Reef & Serfontein Roads, Roodepoort West.
Please make sure you fill in the questionnaire and read the requirements for assessment from the website!.
PLEASE READ THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSESSMENT CAREFULLY SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BRING TO THE ASSESSMENTS.
For more details contact Lesley de Klerk on 082 901 8267 or 'E' mail: [email protected]
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________