MONROE - Two dogs a decade apart in age celebrated graduation together at Monroe Clinic on Tuesday, standing in staunch attention near their owners as trainer Scott Lindner from Das Hund Haus of Evansville recognized their new status as therapy dogs.
Brodhead resident Mary Mason and her husband, Gary, decided black-and-white English springer spaniel Oreo, 11, had the personality to serve as a therapy dog within their community.
"Her disposition is excellent," Mason said. "She is so loving and friendly. We just had to get the calmness established. I think that was the hardest part, just getting them settled."
Cathy Maurer of Monroe brought her 1-year-old beagle Toodles to Lindner after realizing she was meant to be around people and other dogs as a calming presence.
"Her temperment from basically the minute I had her has been incredible," Maurer said. "I had two beagles before and they both died within a year of each other, which was very sad. I looked for a puppy and I went to get a little boy puppy, but Toodles looked at me that way, and I knew she was the dog."
Oreo and Toodles began Canine Good Citizen training together. The program to become a therapy dog begins with basic obedience training, followed by the citizen program, culminating in seven weeks of therapy training. Each dog received an ID badge and official therapy dog vest.
Lindner and his wife, Tina, have been training dogs for 22 years in different programs. He said for therapy dogs, the owners and animals have to make visits, sometimes not knowing the destination until an hour before, to different places as a way to test whether becoming a therapy dog is possible.
"It takes a special dog to do this," Lindner said. "It's my job to put them in stressful situations to test their reactions; situations they've never encountered before to see what happens."
One example is being aggressively hugged by juvenile inmates, which happened quickly when Oreo and Toodles took a trip to the Rock County Youth Services Center during their training period. Therapy dogs are a positive influence on a number of people, from elderly residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to elementary schools and even hospitals. Lindner said he was excited to see a graduate of Das Hund Haus serve the Monroe area.
Maurer said Toodles has already visited Monroe Manor to perk up residents and has made trips to other gatherings over the summer. Toodles and Mary will begin volunteering at Monroe Clinic next week.
Oreo will likely spend more time in the Brodhead area, Mason said. She already visits Wood's Point Community, an assisted living facility within the city.
"It was such a rewarding part of training just to see the older people respond to them," Mason said.
Lindner asked them during the ceremony to check in and update the couple on how each dog was progressing in their lives as therapy for others.
Maurer and Mason both wanted to ensure the public can keep up-to-date with each pup's adventures. Toodles and Oreo both have searchable Facebook pages: Travels with Toodles and Oreo on the Go. Toodles also has an Instagram by the same name.
Brodhead resident Mary Mason and her husband, Gary, decided black-and-white English springer spaniel Oreo, 11, had the personality to serve as a therapy dog within their community.
"Her disposition is excellent," Mason said. "She is so loving and friendly. We just had to get the calmness established. I think that was the hardest part, just getting them settled."
Cathy Maurer of Monroe brought her 1-year-old beagle Toodles to Lindner after realizing she was meant to be around people and other dogs as a calming presence.
"Her temperment from basically the minute I had her has been incredible," Maurer said. "I had two beagles before and they both died within a year of each other, which was very sad. I looked for a puppy and I went to get a little boy puppy, but Toodles looked at me that way, and I knew she was the dog."
Oreo and Toodles began Canine Good Citizen training together. The program to become a therapy dog begins with basic obedience training, followed by the citizen program, culminating in seven weeks of therapy training. Each dog received an ID badge and official therapy dog vest.
Lindner and his wife, Tina, have been training dogs for 22 years in different programs. He said for therapy dogs, the owners and animals have to make visits, sometimes not knowing the destination until an hour before, to different places as a way to test whether becoming a therapy dog is possible.
"It takes a special dog to do this," Lindner said. "It's my job to put them in stressful situations to test their reactions; situations they've never encountered before to see what happens."
One example is being aggressively hugged by juvenile inmates, which happened quickly when Oreo and Toodles took a trip to the Rock County Youth Services Center during their training period. Therapy dogs are a positive influence on a number of people, from elderly residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to elementary schools and even hospitals. Lindner said he was excited to see a graduate of Das Hund Haus serve the Monroe area.
Maurer said Toodles has already visited Monroe Manor to perk up residents and has made trips to other gatherings over the summer. Toodles and Mary will begin volunteering at Monroe Clinic next week.
Oreo will likely spend more time in the Brodhead area, Mason said. She already visits Wood's Point Community, an assisted living facility within the city.
"It was such a rewarding part of training just to see the older people respond to them," Mason said.
Lindner asked them during the ceremony to check in and update the couple on how each dog was progressing in their lives as therapy for others.
Maurer and Mason both wanted to ensure the public can keep up-to-date with each pup's adventures. Toodles and Oreo both have searchable Facebook pages: Travels with Toodles and Oreo on the Go. Toodles also has an Instagram by the same name.