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  1. #1
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    Therapy training on RAW diet. Can the two co-exist?

    Hi everyone! Nice to be back on the forum after being gone for months and months. I have a question for you all. I was researching therapy training classes and in my area (Portland, OR) it looks like Pet Partners is the primary certifier of therapy dogs. (I've just begun my research, so if there are other certification organizations, I would love links to their info.) As I was perusing the pre-reqs for training, one of the rules stated no raw protein diets. Koa is fed raw and I have no intention of switching as he is doing superbly on it. Does that mean that we are not eligible for being a therapy team? Is the concern that bacteria will be passed to people who may have suppressed immune systems? If anyone has experience with this I would love to hear about it. It seems hard to believe that none of the therapy dogs out there are fed raw diets.

    Thanks!!

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    that's something you will need to discuss with them. And then decide if you want to "plead the fifth" (just not tell them you feed raw and pretend you don't) or be honest and see if you can negotiate with them.

    When I was with a therapy group they also required no raw (yes they say it's about contamination rigthtly or wrongly) and bi-weekly bathing. I didn't feed raw but also didn't give bi-weekly baths.

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    I was not feeding any raw when Maxx was certified. I will keep my mouth zipped!
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  6. #4
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Yes speak to the agency you would work with. With some it depends where and what kind of therapy visits you will do. Hospitals might be a no-no, but a reading program for children at a school might be ok. Here, the one I would go with would assign individual clients so it would depend on the client.

    Did you check out who offers insurance? For a while one agency here did not provide insurance for you or your dog. If someone claimed your dog bit a person you'd be on your own and also on your own if a client/person hurt your dog.
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  8. #5
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    I've read that before also that raw diet is a no w/ therapy dog teams. That said, it's a good thing I have no time for it because mine are out hunting mice in my field as I type!!!
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  10. #6
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    Great information! Had not considered insurance, but that's a good point and worth checking into. Seems like everything is so complicated these days. I understand the reason behind many of the "complications," but part of me misses the simplicity of yesteryear. Back when I was a wee one, my grandpa would tuck his cairn-poodle under his arm (back before it was a hybrid "breed") and head to the local nursing home to visit with folks. (That was a picture in and of itself to see a big masculine teddy bear of man with a wisp of a dog!) No program, certification, or organization involvement. He just knew his dog loved people, was trustworthy, and that the residents benefitted from time w/ a furry friend. How times have changed! Appropriately so, in some cases, I know...but still!

    Thanks everyone! I appreciate your input.

  11. #7
    Senior Dog doubledip1's Avatar
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    Luna is certified through TDI (Therapy Dogs International) and I didn't see anything on her requirements that she couldn't be fed raw.
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  13. #8
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
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    This is likely a local (state-level?) restriction, based on the problem of suppressed or compromised immune system. I'd ask about it.

    And if it's a hard and fast rule—no worries. There are lots of other great types of training you guys can do!

    My dog is training for Therapy Dog cert., but she's not on raw.

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    Koa's Mom (11-01-2015)

  15. #9
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by doubledip1 View Post
    Luna is certified through TDI (Therapy Dogs International) and I didn't see anything on her requirements that she couldn't be fed raw.
    Maxx is also and I couldn't find any info either.
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  17. #10
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by doubledip1 View Post
    Luna is certified through TDI (Therapy Dogs International) and I didn't see anything on her requirements that she couldn't be fed raw.

    it would be a requirement by the facility or some groups (many people are part if a group that facilitates/arranges visits vs just knowing a placrmyou can go).

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    Koa's Mom (11-01-2015), windycanyon (10-31-2015)

 



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