View Single Post
Old 02-05-2006, 07:45   #25
Rona
Distinguished Member
 
Rona's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Kraków
Posts: 3,509
Default

To conclude the above discussion I think it would be fair to write only about the first attempts to train CzW for dogotheraphy, not that they are already in in, because this may be misleading: CSVs have not proved to be good therpists yet, though of course they might in the future if people like Ela, Mijke or Daniel (Andariel Wolf's owner) put a lot of effort and heart into it.

Per Olav, I really understand your frustration at the ban of CSVs but remember that handicapped kids are sometimes unpredictable, they may hit, bite, scratch, pinch etc. the dog and he must be fantastically well trained and socialised in order NOT to react instinctively. I have a friend who is a therapist (not dogotherpist, though) and she told me that during the sessions sometimes things happen in fractions of seconds and however well she controls the situation she cannot fully anticipate the reactions of kids.

If only one stupid guy hurts only one handicapped kid by offering him only one unqualified dogotherapy session with a CSV, it would be an additional serious argument AGAINST the breed and may spoil the work and efforts of many people. Imagine the uproar in the media and all the "catchy" headlines about wild wolfish beast that attacked poor, sick kids, not to mention the feelings and reactions of the parents. In such a case nobody would mention the fact that the kid first "attacted" the dog! These are simply very, very serious and sensitive matters, especially that they involve the element of unpredicatbility of both sides: the kids and dogs.

Personally I'd rather concentrate on the CSVs' versatilty as companions and friends of people of various ages, professions and lifesyles, as well as friends of other animals and NOT ONLY their working abilities, however great they might be.
Rona jest offline   Reply With Quote