02/22/2023
Update: I think I’m going to cancel this “page” and make it a “group” but it will take me a couple of days to do it. Other pages I’ve made didn’t have this issue, but when I go to this one there are tons of automatic FB posts on the timeline…need to figure this out 🙄😍😩.
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Hello to those I started with - those who are already heavily involved in building the presence of therapy dogs in Stillwater and surrounding areas. I think we all find it difficult to communicate opportunities to others while keeping up with our jobs, families and therapy dog visits!
As ATD Tester/Observers Christine Garbutt and I are sometimes crazy/busy testing prospective teams and handling our own pups while also being contacted by facilities wanting therapy dog visits.
As coordinator of St. Andrew’s Therapy Dogs, Pat Dohmann has many facilities asking for visits and too few dogs to fill them!
ATD Handlers who work with OSU’s “Pete’s Pet Posse” team and SPS “Paws for Pioneers” often ask about what community opportunities are available when they aren’t at work.
Area dog trainers like Teresa Pankratz are asked for information about how they can become a certified therapy team on a weekly basis, and scheduling handling tests and observations at appropriate facilities can be a nightmare at times!
So….
I’ve been invited to several FB groups in the last couple of years in communities I’ve lived in or visited and have seen how wonderful it is for ALL certified teams to have a central place to communicate! They also post helpful educational links for teams and (following ATD and facility photo release rules, of course!) share appropriately edited photos from events they attend.
Finally, this would provide a forum to discuss best practices for all of the new teams being certified and also a place to announce new facilty groups being started!
I hope those I invite will invite other therapy teams that I don’t know. I will start out as admin for the group, but if anyone more experienced with social media is interested in helping let me know!
