The labradoodle was originally bred to be a seeing eye dog for an allergy sufferer, and has
since evolved in it's purpose. Not only are labradoodles used as seeing eye dogs, they have
an extensive history of service as certified therapy dogs, dogs for the hearing impaired,
medical alert dogs, as well as family pets for allergy sufferers. Two of our own dogs are
Certified Therapy dogs and we expect many of our breeding dogs to achieve this goal. We
will continue this tradition of service and companionship with their offspring.
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There are several different organizations that provide certified therapy dog training such as Delta
Society, Love on a Leash and AKC Canine Good Citizen just to name a few. Several communities
offer therapy dog programs and have a certified tester in their area. These dogs provide an important
and needed service in their community by visiting nursing homes, hospitals, hospice care, schools (Paws
to Read Program), special needs children, and much more. They bring so much joy and comfort to
those in need. It has been proven that just petting a dog can lower your blood pressure and raise your
endorphin level (the happy hormone)! The program requires that the dog and his handler pass rigorous
training and temperament tests. Most testing includes but is not limited to:
* Random Sit, down, "with me" commands.
* Settle: Dog must lay on his or her side with head resting on the floor and stay until released.
* Leave it: Dog must ignore food, toys, and other items on the ground and in hands.
* Get it: Dog must take food on command gently.
* No Jumping or Pawing: even when encouraged to jump.
* Say Hi!: Calmly interacting with strangers on command.
* Calmly accepting Children.
* Calmly accepting people with physical and mental difficulties.
* Calmness around loud noises and chaos.
* Calmness around medical equipment.
* Accepting all types of petting, hugging, examination from others.
* Crowded petting: dog must remain calm with multiple people all approaching and petting.
* Bumped from behind: Dog must remain calm when bumped from behind.
* Calmly enduring supervised separation from the handler.
* Reacting calmly to another dog.
* Walking on a loose lead.
* Appearance, and allowing basic grooming procedures.
All dogs must be healthy, well groomed and have current Rabies vaccination.
About Certified Therapy Dogs
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Colonial Village Glory Glory
Glory's happy-go-lucky personality makes her perfect
for therapy work. She is gentle and sweet, but quite
the little comic. Glory has participated in the READ
(Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program.
Glory now lives in a guardian home who will
continue Glory's therapy work.
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Tawna
Tawna was practically a therapy dog before we
ever started training her. She has a natural heart
from the moment you meet her. One elderly
woman Tawna visited kept kissing her on the
head and telling her what a
"good dog" she was.
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Service and Therapy Dogs in Training
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Daisy Hill's Reya
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Reya is a service dog in training for a boy with type I diabetes.
Her focus will be in blood sugar detection. Dogs are excellent
at detecting rises and falls in a persons blood sugar. This can
be a life saving tool for a child with diabetes. Reya is out of
Buttercup's and James Brown's litter, June 2008.
Reya, as described by her family;
"Reya joined our family when she was 9 weeks old. Since her arrival
she’s slept on Henry’s bed every night. Reya provides a calm, loving
focal point for Henry’s s stressful world. She attends all his medical
appointments at Seattle Children’s Hospital wearing her “Service Dog
in Training Vest”. She rides elevators, walks all over the hospital---
she immediately follows the ‘under’ command to lie under a chair
during the appointment. She also started clicker training and scent
training for blood sugar detection. She is a bright, motivated learner!"
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Daisy Hill's Andie
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Andie is a service dog in training for Aubrey, a
child with Autism. Children with Autism or other
emotional disabilities can benefit greatly from the
stability and security a dog can provide them. This
sweet girl is also out of Buttercup's and James
Brown's litter of 2008. What an incredible girl. I
can't wait to see her progress.
This is what Andie's family says about her;
" Andie took to Aubrey right away, but Aubrey wasn’t too
sure of his new four legged friend. Now they’re best
friends. Andie and her handler have graduated from
puppy and advance puppy class with flying colors, their
instructor commented that “she’s a natural”. Andie will be
enrolled in more training come this spring, as well as in-
home training and practicing. For now she “finds” Aubrey
every morning and wakes him with “kisses”, he used to
be a very grumpy boy in the morning, now he wakes up
in good mood everyday. Andie goes to therapy sessions
and community outings and watches over Aubrey. She
goes outside after school with him and plays, even on the
trampoline. Her temperament is absolutely fantastic, she’
s gentle, loving, protective, obedient, and has fun in
whatever she does. Stay tuned for more as she grows
and is certified for therapy and service."
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Daisy Hill's Leia
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Leia is a very sweet little girl and is
service dog in training for a little girl
on blood sugar detection. Dogs are a
persons blood sugar. This can be a
diabetes. We wish her family much
success with Leia's training. We will
be adding updates as she progresses.
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