Tania enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering as a Therapy Dog team with her Golden Retriever, Molly Rose.
In this 67th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with with Tania and her nine-year-old Golden Retriever, Molly Rose. Together, they form a heartwarming therapy dog team in Texas, volunteering through Paws for Therapy. We discuss their journey into therapy dog work, the importance of finding a good group to volunteer with, and the rewarding experiences they’ve had along the way.
Tania shares how Molly joined their family as a puppy to help with her daughter’s speech delay, and it was during obedience training that a trainer noticed Molly’s natural talent for therapy work. Though Molly’s playful nature as a Golden Retriever meant she wasn’t ready until she was five years old, she transformed into a focused worker when she put on her therapy vest.
Throughout their volunteer journey, Tania and Molly have visited various places like hospitals, schools, assisted living facilities, and memory care centers. Tania emphasizes the importance of being part of a good group like Paws for Therapy, which provides a supportive team environment.
We also discuss the impact that Molly has made on children with sensory issues or those who are nonverbal, helping them become more comfortable with petting her or calling her name. Tania has even created trading cards and stickers for Molly to give out during their visits.
Toward the end of our conversation, Tania reminds us that therapy dog work is a volunteer effort, and it’s essential to enjoy the work and have the time for it. For her, it has been incredibly rewarding. She shares touching stories that illustrate why she loves volunteering with Molly.
After listening to this episode, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the joys and challenges of volunteering as a therapy dog team, as well as valuable insights on how to prepare your furry friend for this rewarding work.
In this episode, we discuss …
- How a trainer told Tania that Molly Rose was born to do this work.
- Why it can be important to find a good group to volunteer with.
- What Tania finds rewarding about volunteering.
Key moments you won’t want to miss:
- [01:08] Tania explains how Molly Rose joined their family as a puppy to help her daughter with speech delay.
- [01:58] A trainer noticed Molly’s natural talent for therapy work during obedience training and encouraged Tania to pursue it.
- [03:24] Molly wasn’t ready to be a therapy dog until she was five, but her playful nature transformed into focus when she wore her therapy vest.
- [04:05] Molly needs time to settle when she arrives at the hospital to volunteer, showing her dedication to the work.
- [06:32] Tania highlights the importance of being part of a supportive group like Paws for Therapy when volunteering.
- [06:56] Molly has had a significant impact on children with sensory issues or those who are nonverbal, helping them become more comfortable with her.
- [08:29] Tania has created trading cards and stickers for Molly to give out during their visits, adding a personal touch.
- [10:59] Tania and Molly visit a variety of places, including hospitals, schools, assisted living facilities, and memory care centers, as part of their volunteer work.
- [14:37] Tania emphasizes that therapy dog work is a volunteer effort and that it’s essential to enjoy the work and have the time for it.
- [17:42] Visits typically last 1-2 hours, and sometimes it takes longer to leave because so many people want to meet and interact with Molly.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a watch or a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!
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