Madonna & Rhett, Delta Certified
What began as a dream, an idea, has come true. Madonna and her Standard Poodle, Rhett, have been certified through the Delta Society as a therapy team |
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We are so proud of the hard work and dedication they have both given to meet this goal.
Madonna chose the Delta Society over other therapy dog programs because it is the one that the R.E.A.D. program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) requires that the dogs be registered with in order to participate in that program. Delta is also the only therapy dog program that expects the handler to get as much or more training than the dog. |
Delta Society focuses on three components--Human, Animal, Health--(hence the name Delta, the Greek triangle/alphabet letter “D”). Dr. Mortimer strongly urged her to look into the Delta Society program because of his personal connection with Dr. Leo Bustad, the veterinarian who first noticed, documented and taught about the connection between human health and animals. Dr. Bustad developed the Delta Society. |
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So, how did she do this? Madonna ordered the home study workbook from the Delta Society and read it from cover to cover. She and Rhett took training classes from the kennel club--basic obedience, advanced obedience and the Canine Good Citizen class. Madonna located a Delta Society Pet Partners evaluator on the Delta Society web site. Once she had completed the home study course on her own, she took Rhett to Billings to be evaluated. |
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Madonna and Rhett have begun visiting a local nursing home as a team every week. The residents look forward to these weekly visits and for many this visit is the highlight of the week. Many of the residents will share stories of dogs they or family members have had. The difference this weekly visit makes in the lives of some is evident in their smiles, the gentle petting and the laughter. |
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Madonna and Rhett also recently participated in the “Meet the Breed” program at the kennel club dog show. Rhett was very popular. |
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Soon Rhett will assume his duties in the R.E.A.D. program, visiting the local library on a weekly basis. |
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The mission of the R.E.A.D. program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams. The R.E.A.D. program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. But not just any dog. R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children. |
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Find out More - Delta Society |
