Entrant's First Name
Stacy

If you are not an active therapy animal team, explain how your dog provides therapy to you through the human animal bond.
91/2 years ago, I entered the Dog Training Industry here in Jacksonville. When Opie came into my home as a foster dog, it was clear he was going to need to special patience and help to overcome his early, frightening, start-as a feral puppy. The bond took quite some time to desensitize this 4 month old to lights, door bells, phones ringing, and even to humans. After a year solid of Positive Reinforcement Training and making sure this little guy was always happy in training and AT A PACE that was best for him, he passed his CGC Certification in 2008. I knew that he was happy working with me as his mom and trainer and decided to train him further to be my Demo Dog for very large humans only classes . He is not only very successful, he is now going on his 9th year working these very large crowds. Having said that, I have also learned, to "know my dog". Not all dogs want to do Therapy Dog work. My relationship with Opie, is helping the humans to understand Positive Reinforcement Training is the most humane way. No harm done to the dog. He's very happy!