No matter how carefully you screen residents, accidents may happen as well as scary incidents. The sounds of monitors and scents of urine and fecal matter can set some dogs off. Others cannot handle working around wheel chairs, walkers or crutches. Now you have a dog you think is up to the task. As much as Pet Therapy gives you the warm fuzzies and the residents a wonderful treat, it can also cause burn out.
People tend to try and visit everyone, which can take hours.
Most dogs are good for up to an hour. Some dogs, like Muffin, were created to work for hours, but this is not the norm. With the aid of the recreation director in the facility, create a list of residents or patients who would benefit and spend about five to ten minutes with each. Try to go weekly or every other week so you can create a bond. Bring easy to eat treats and make certain your dog will not snap food from hands.