JAG Dog Training Club Graduates Fourth Class of Therapy Dogs

The Jefferson Lab Activities Group Dog Training Club graduated its fourth class of therapy dogs on June 28. In order to become a certified therapy dog, a dog had to pass a series of tests including sit and down on command, coming when called, navigating around a person in a wheelchair or on crutches, and staying in place and remaining calm when a child runs past. A dog is evaluated by a CGC/TDI evaluator and after passing the tests, given the title of Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog International Dog.

Now in its fourth year, the JAG Dog Training Club plans to hold a basic obedience class at the beginning of each year to train a new group of therapy dogs. Dogs from past classes have gone on to do some much-needed therapy work in the community, according to Joyce Miller, Physics Division, and club captain.
                                       
Once a month Dan Young, Physics Division Hall C designer, and his Samoyed, Nikko, visit patients at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. In order to visit CHKD, in addition to his CGC/TDI rating, Nikko had to be evaluated by the CHKD program staff. Young takes along some of Nikko's show ribbons to pass out to the children.

Mary Beth Stewart, Project Management and Integrated Planning technical illustrator, takes her talented golden retriever, Tobie, to visit patients at the York Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center.

Joyce Miller, Physics Division Hall A designer, and her greyhounds, Sammy and PG, will be attending an event called Greyhounds Rock in Fredericksburg, Va., this year, a fund raiser for canine cancer research at Ohio State University.

Brian Kross, Detector Group designer, and his boxer, Loki, participate in the Paws to Read program at Hampton and York public libraries.

The Canine Good Citizen, CGC, is a certification program of the American Kennel Club. The dogs and handlers must complete a multi-step test. The primary objective of the Therapy Dog International, TDI, dog and handler is to provide comfort and companionship by sharing the dog with patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions. This is done in a way that increases emotional well being, promotes healing, and improves the quality of life for the people being visited and the staff that cares for these people, according to the website.

Therapy Dog International receives many requests for therapy dog visits. Locally, The Arbors at Port Warwick senior community and the Peninsula Regional Jail are currently requesting therapy dog visits, so more trained dogs are always welcome and the JAG dogs can help fill those voids, Miller adds.

The JAG Dog Training Club is open to all employees, users, family members and their dogs. The club meets on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Support Service Center lobby. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the dog club and training their dog, may contact Miller, ext. 7163 or email miller@jlab.org , or Brian Kross, co-captain, ext. 7022 or email kross@jlab.org .  In addition to the therapy dog class, the dog training club also has held classes in agility, rally obedience and K-9 nosework.