We are considering training the calmer of our two 2 year old boxers to be a therapy dog? Diesel has only had puppy kindergarten, so he has a loonnng way to go...around here (Minneapolis, Minnesota) he needs Obedience I and II and then the Canine Good Citizen Award and then Therapy Dog training. But he's such a loving dog and good boy - I really think he would warm the hearts of everyone he meets. Anyone done this? Success stories???? Thoughts??? Thank you, Luka
Anyone had their boxer become a therapy dog?
- Thread starter LukaKP
- Start date
- Status
IluvLucy
Boxer Insane
We have! 
J.C. has been doing Therapy Dog visits for about 2 1/2 years now and is approaching his 150th visit. It is a very rewarding experience and the residents at the nursing home really appreciate it. I would really like to get him into one of the reading programs so he could work with kids (he LOVES kids)but I haven't managed to set one up yet.
J.C. has been doing Therapy Dog visits for about 2 1/2 years now and is approaching his 150th visit. It is a very rewarding experience and the residents at the nursing home really appreciate it. I would really like to get him into one of the reading programs so he could work with kids (he LOVES kids)but I haven't managed to set one up yet.
Goodgirl
Boxer Booster
I'd be interested in hearing other's stories as well. I would like to get Felix therapy dog certified once he is old enough. Mainly b/c he loves kids, but is also deaf and i sometimes see dogs with disabilities on tv that are therapy dogs and their owners say it helps kids relate to them.
Delilah loves adults and getting attention where ever we go so I think she would be good at that since she is so calm, but she is dog aggressive and hasn't been good with children in the past so I don't think she would pass the required tests even though she is very obedient.
Delilah loves adults and getting attention where ever we go so I think she would be good at that since she is so calm, but she is dog aggressive and hasn't been good with children in the past so I don't think she would pass the required tests even though she is very obedient.
Walkssoftly
Completely Boxer Crazy
Service animal
Hiya.. My Precious Tuff E. Nuff.. aka Tuffy.. (R.I.P.) that I lost last year at 9yrs old.. He was my service animal.. Not a therapy dog though.. Tuffy went w/ me everywhere I went... Even flew in coach w/ me when I went home to visit family in Fl. (I live in Az. ) He was awesome.. Nothing seemed to shake him, and his first flight wasn't until he was about 7yrs old. He was amazing. Just a natural! He was certified and soooo much help to me. I miss him terribly, and hope to train both my white boxers to do the same.. Tuff made it so much easier for me to go where I needed to, as my balance can be "iffy"..
I had heard that in Europe they used Boxers for service animals..
Anyway,.......... that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! *grinz*
Karen
TaTanka 1yr white male
Sequoia 1yr white female
SLY 21 yr old domestic male kitty
Hiya.. My Precious Tuff E. Nuff.. aka Tuffy.. (R.I.P.) that I lost last year at 9yrs old.. He was my service animal.. Not a therapy dog though.. Tuffy went w/ me everywhere I went... Even flew in coach w/ me when I went home to visit family in Fl. (I live in Az. ) He was awesome.. Nothing seemed to shake him, and his first flight wasn't until he was about 7yrs old. He was amazing. Just a natural! He was certified and soooo much help to me. I miss him terribly, and hope to train both my white boxers to do the same.. Tuff made it so much easier for me to go where I needed to, as my balance can be "iffy"..
I had heard that in Europe they used Boxers for service animals..
Anyway,.......... that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! *grinz*
Karen
TaTanka 1yr white male
Sequoia 1yr white female
SLY 21 yr old domestic male kitty
dizzydogmom
Boxer Booster
Piper Ann is TDI certified and just recently began to make visits at the hospital where I work. I'm a nurse at the VA Medical Center here in Minneapolis, and I work on the polytrauma unit with the young guys who have just gotten back from the Middle East (aka, "the coolest job ever"). Piper Ann visits up here on polytrauma and down on the transitional unit (where our guys go before heading back into the community), and she's a big hit. She's higher energy, but so are the guys, so she really keeps up with them well. A lot of my job is knowing my dog and her limits-realizing when she's too stressed out, or knowing when someone's making her nervous. It was quite an adjustment for me because as I nurse, I have to put the patients first, but as a dog handler, I have to put Piper first. Being a therapy dog is hard work for her and me, and I think it's one of the better ways I've found to tire her out. It's a lot of fun for both of us-I love seeing the eyes of the patients I see everyday light up when they see my dog.
There are several really good therapy dog programs in the cities-I'd mention a couple of them, but I'm not sure if it's allowed. Do your research and find the group that's best for you, and you and Diesel will have a lot of fun if nothing else!
There are several really good therapy dog programs in the cities-I'd mention a couple of them, but I'm not sure if it's allowed. Do your research and find the group that's best for you, and you and Diesel will have a lot of fun if nothing else!
Lola's mum
Boxer Insane
No people would need to be in therapy if my lot were therapy dogs 
AdamsBunch
Boxer Booster
I have been thinking about getting Oscar into the therapy dog thing, he has the temperament but I am unsure about how we go about getting him certified? Help?
- Status