Minnesota Therapy Animals
Since You Asked
For years the idea of pet therapy in my community has been of
interest. Now I have a three month old puppy. What steps do I now
take to get him registered? Jessie
interest. Now I have a three month old puppy. What steps do I now
take to get him registered? Jessie
Since You Asked is an added feature. You have the question,
we will locate the expert to best respond.
we will locate the expert to best respond.
| Jacki Jones with Tasha, Blue and Ralph |
This month's our expert could be best
described as an AAA/AAT veteran. Jacki
Jones is also the 2006 Delta Beyond the
Limits award winner with her partner,
Ralph.
In the pet therapy world, she has taken her
professional expertise and along with her
AAA/AAT activities, and expanded her role
to pet therapy instructor, evaluator,.and
AAT instructor. Ahead of her time, she then
took the time to become certified as a
crisis responder.
Age does take its toll and Ralph, after a
recent illness, is retiring for a well
deserved rest. Her youngest, Blue, is
preparing to step up to the plate as Jacki's
new partner.
An Ohio native, her professional back-
ground and expertise took her across the
country from North Dakota to Florida. She
completed her journey as program director
and department chair for ten years during
her seventeen years Elizabethtown College
PA. Retirement is sort of elusive, as she
continues to be one of the most recognized
and active Associate Professors in the
Department of Occupational Therapy.
Jacki now resides in nearby Bainbridge.
PA. with her Border Collie crew.
Jacki Jones can be contacted at:
jljralph@dejazzd.com
described as an AAA/AAT veteran. Jacki
Jones is also the 2006 Delta Beyond the
Limits award winner with her partner,
Ralph.
In the pet therapy world, she has taken her
professional expertise and along with her
AAA/AAT activities, and expanded her role
to pet therapy instructor, evaluator,.and
AAT instructor. Ahead of her time, she then
took the time to become certified as a
crisis responder.
Age does take its toll and Ralph, after a
recent illness, is retiring for a well
deserved rest. Her youngest, Blue, is
preparing to step up to the plate as Jacki's
new partner.
An Ohio native, her professional back-
ground and expertise took her across the
country from North Dakota to Florida. She
completed her journey as program director
and department chair for ten years during
her seventeen years Elizabethtown College
PA. Retirement is sort of elusive, as she
continues to be one of the most recognized
and active Associate Professors in the
Department of Occupational Therapy.
Jacki now resides in nearby Bainbridge.
PA. with her Border Collie crew.
Jacki Jones can be contacted at:
jljralph@dejazzd.com
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Please add "Since You Asked" in the subject
Line. Thank you
will do our best to find the best response.
Please add "Since You Asked" in the subject
Line. Thank you
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Let your puppy be a puppy. Socialize him/her with all sorts of people and
animals, and in all sorts of situations, making sure that he feels safe (no
trips to the dog park with roughhousing big dogs, or with rowdy groups of
children) Interact with him, and have fun. Play tug and hide the toy.
Name toys and see if she will "get snake" or "get grouse". Absolutely
start puppy obedience classes, if you can find an instructor who values
having the dogs learn to think, rather than be "trained" to follow
commands. This is often done through clicker training. It is amazing to
watch a puppy trying to figure out what you want her to do, then do
something, get a click and a reward for it. And hey, you can see the
lightbulb go on "if I sit on the little rug I get a treat - so I will go sit on the
rug". It is hard to put the action/reward before the request (notice I didn't
say "command"), but once the behavior is solid, you can use the word. It
is magical, and such fun to watch the little brain as it is working
situations out. Takes time and patience, but is so rewarding. Good luck
- and enjoy interacting with your pup. Jacki Jones
Comments: Jacki has reminded us that our companions learn best in
small increments. Ah, how often have we heard that before. Also, just
as a reminder. Time is on your side. Most registering organizations do
not evaluate an animal until it has reached the age of one and in the
home of the handler for at least six months.
animals, and in all sorts of situations, making sure that he feels safe (no
trips to the dog park with roughhousing big dogs, or with rowdy groups of
children) Interact with him, and have fun. Play tug and hide the toy.
Name toys and see if she will "get snake" or "get grouse". Absolutely
start puppy obedience classes, if you can find an instructor who values
having the dogs learn to think, rather than be "trained" to follow
commands. This is often done through clicker training. It is amazing to
watch a puppy trying to figure out what you want her to do, then do
something, get a click and a reward for it. And hey, you can see the
lightbulb go on "if I sit on the little rug I get a treat - so I will go sit on the
rug". It is hard to put the action/reward before the request (notice I didn't
say "command"), but once the behavior is solid, you can use the word. It
is magical, and such fun to watch the little brain as it is working
situations out. Takes time and patience, but is so rewarding. Good luck
- and enjoy interacting with your pup. Jacki Jones
Comments: Jacki has reminded us that our companions learn best in
small increments. Ah, how often have we heard that before. Also, just
as a reminder. Time is on your side. Most registering organizations do
not evaluate an animal until it has reached the age of one and in the
home of the handler for at least six months.
