[SIZE=12pt]Is there any kind of animal assisted therapy certification required at nursing homes?[/SIZE]
The ones I go to do not require it but Mercy is Delta Society certified (renewal pending). Most hospitals DO require it (Delta for all species or Therapy Dogs for dogs), at least in my area. I recommend it for anyone considering visiting with their minis. Your animal has to be checked by your veterinarian, you have to pass a written open book test and you and your pet have to go through testing in front of an evaluator in a setting that will resemble things you may or may not encounter. On an Animal Planet show (not mine), I heard 10% of all applicants make it through the testing so I feel honored. It gives me confidence too as the evaluator has to make sure the Pet Partners team is ready for
anything that can happen. If you are Delta Society certified you do not charge for your visits.
In eleven years of service work we do not charge - if folks are insistent to make a donation, I have told them to donate to a favorite charity of their own choosing. Mercy's work is done voluntarily because she spreads a remarkable "magic" of kindness and love - my son has said if the magic has touched you, it is up to you spread it however you see fit.
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Lots of good suggestions here but the best training I found is halter obstacle training. In a setting like a nursing home where you may be surrounded by wheelchairs and walkers, it is helpful when your horse can step up a little, move back, whoa or move over on a voice command. The odd obstacles to look at also help and if your horse has a melt down in the ring, it may help indicate whether he/she is up to the task. Mercy does not balk at the tiled linoleum that changes color (that can be a problem if you have elderly folks in your horse's way when he/she is trying to avoid "falling into the abyss") nor do mirrors bother her. One of my other minis, Freedom, will spook if there is additional hay in the barn when she comes in at night and she notices EVERYTHING and is visibly upset by it. She is not a good candidate!
We do not allow Mercy to be fed by anyone as she is VERY food driven and will literally climb in my own lap for treats... she does take a "doggie bag" home to share with the other 5 members of our horse family.
We then progressed to many outdoor events... Mercy has handled helicopters landing and taking off in close proximity to her, sirens, guns (in a parade), loud music, crowds, fire trucks, police cars, people yelling (in Delta Society testing - she yawned).
The public as a rule does not seem to think that minis kick (I tell people - if they have teeth they can bite and if they have claws they can scratch and if they have hooves, they can kick) and we usually have kids and parents who stand right behind Mercy... :no: To discourage this, I point at the tail and tell people "That is where the poop comes out" and the expressions on folks' faces as they run is hilarious. Little kids are notorious for wearing flipflops and sandals when they are visiting us so we warn them that Mercy weighs 350 lbs and their toes are at risk so be aware. Halter obstacle training helps here... if Mercy looks like she is going to swing her butt around to reposition herself and take out half of a class in the process, I can ask her to step forward or over in the opposite direction to avoid doing so.
You may also get the "horse hogs"... kids (and adults) who do not allow others in the crowd to take a turn. Luckily I have only run across one or two of these... usually kids by themselves whose parents are off at some other aspect of the festival...we have reported this to festival organizers as all children should be safe and attended by their caretakers. Potty breaks work well here, too.
: I liked the sign that I saw at our trailer repair facility,
"Unattended children will be given an expresso and a free puppy." I think a bag of candy and cookies, a double expresso and a free puppy would really be discouraging!
We use Vetrap - would never take a chance having a horse slip and fall on linoleum. :no: That would be a good way to lose your horse's trust, or even worse, injure a resident or yourself. Duct tape works well, too. For long visits with lots of walking, reapply as necessary - horse hooves are sharp and will wear through the tape.
Mercy and I have been at this for 11 years...and I can literally take her anywhere that she fits. Attendees at the MA Equine Affaire saw me (lost as usual - I am directionally challenged) and Mercy (ears up and very confident in her self-assured way) trying to find our booth so we entered right along with the crowds entering the Mallory Complex...no hassles, no poop, no problems! She thinks she is a human a lot of the time.
Mercy does not wear the "diapers" that driving horses wear... she has been very good about telling me when she has to go... but she has learned by giving her "alert" and I rush her out for a "potty break", she gets to eat on the trailer (where she poops) so she has faked me out a few times.
Your horse's body language can tell you a lot - if your horse is stressed by a certain person (you can tell by tensing muscles, ear position, etc), politely excuse yourself and move on to another location or take a potty break. We did a series of summer camp visits on one afternoon - visiting 4 locations, traveling by backseat of my Jeep, nontheless. Mercy liked the first, second and fourth locations but the kids at the third location were rowdy, loud and obnoxious. The camp counselors were having trouble getting them to be quiet. Mercy had a different look in her eyes and her stance was different. I asked her if she liked the particular camp she was visiting, cueing her for the "yes" answer and Mercy shook her head "no" to my horror and to the delight of the kids there. However the kids were a little more polite and respectful after that!
I always remember "SAFETY FIRST" and never consider your horse totally "bombproof" - when you let your guard down is when accidents can happen.
Just my two cents on another subject that is very dear to me.
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Denise
Silversong Farm