The goal of using the term Family is to bring people together that want to Serve in the local Community. Whether the individual has a dog or not, the individual can still serve in the community. Therapy Dogs offer a fantastic avenue to be able to bring people together from just about any background. The hope is that this group of people and dogs will come together to support each other as they serve.
The first thing they plan to do is get people with dogs that have completed Therapy Dog training to get themselves and their Dogs certified. They will then work to create Teams to begin to go out into the Community.
Training will be an important part of working with the Volunteers and dogs. Handlers and Volunteers need to understand that they are truly a big part of the Therapy effort. Words and actions can give great comfort. Many times, a Therapy Dog breaks the barrier within a session. The Handler and Volunteer can then spend time just communicating in conversation. Therapy Dogs know that many people they serve feel isolated and lonely. As Team members become trained and certified, they will begin to move out into the Community serving at different locations. More experienced Teams may find themselves in more challenging places to serve.
As the Family of Volunteers grows, there will be lots of different jobs that Volunteers can fulfill that will become visible in the Community. Paul and Sue Anthony believe that Therapy Dogs and Handlers/Teams will have a positive impact on the local Community.
Teams
Being part of a “RocDog Therapy Team” does not require that you have a Therapy Dog. Our hope is that you want to be part of something that is trying to help the community by supporting each other and others around us. Teams will consist of two people with one Dog whenever possible.
Training
RocDog does not do Therapy Dog Training directly. We use Wonderful Trainers to help us.
Our goal is for you to get the best training possible so you can then become part of RocDog and work with us in the Community.
RocDog Approved Trainers:
- Woof 2 Hoof Dog Training, Henrietta, NY:
- Contact: Becky Rene
- Web: www.woof2hoof.com
- Ruff Day Dog Training, Webster, NY:
- Contact: Amy Holtz, 585-347-4033
- Web: www.ruffdayresort.com
- Katie’s K-9’s, Rochester, NY:
- Contact: Katie Gallagher 585-727-3751
- Email: kutiekt21@yahoo.com
- A Work of Heart, Honeoye Falls, NY
- Contact: Terri Bavis 585-261-6539
- Email: hickoryridgelabsny@gmail.com
- Megan’s Mutt’s, Rochester, NY:
- Contact: Megan Markanthony 607-372-2150
- Email: themegansmutts@gmail.com
- Moltuc, Walworth, NY:
- Contact: Bethany Allsop, 716-622-6192
- Email: Contact@moltuc.com
- Patrica Naliwajek, PetSmart Victor
- Contact: Patrica Naliwajek
- Email: m2232@petsmart.com
- Address: 421 Commerce Dr. Victor, NY 14564
- In Line K9 Company LLC, Wallkill NY
- Contact: Angela Miller, 845-206-8692
- Email: inlinek9company@gmail.com
- Serving the Hudson Valley
- Mischief Managed Dogs, Fishkill, NY
- Contact: Victoria Meyer 845-591-4568
- Email: mischiefmanageddogtraining@yahoo.com
- Serving the Hudson Valley
- The Barking Lot, Hamburg, NY
- Contact: Ester Pullano
- Email: info@barkinglotwny.com
- Address: 5640 Maelou Dr. Hamburg, NY 14075
- Niagara K9 Trainers, North Tonawanda, NY
- Contact: Ester Pullano
- Email: ester.ntkc@gmail.com
- Address: 2956 Niagara Falls Blvd. North Tonawanda, NY 14120
- Countryside Canine, Batavia, NY
- Contact: Katie Ellsworth, 585-943-9574
- Email: countrysidecaninedog.com
- K’s Canine, Dansville, NY
- Contact: Kaylee Walker-Lohrmann
- Email: Kscaninerocdog@gmail.com
- Address: 10895 State RT-36 Dansville, NY
- Off Leash K9 Training, Penfield NY
- Contact: Michelle Guarino , 585-445-3260
- Email: rochester@offleashk9training.com
- Address: 370 Macedon Center Road, Penfield, NY 14450
- Off Leash K9 Training, Syracuse, NY
- Contact: Michelle Guarino, 315-401-0045
- Email: syracuse@offleashk9training.com
- Address: 604 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool, NY 13088
- Dianne DelPozzo, Albany, NY
- Email: diannedelpozzo@gmail.com
- White Star Dog Training, Spelling-Hinkley, NY
- Contact: Colleen O’Leary, 315-794-4042
- Email: adirondackdogs2@gmail.com
- Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, Menands, NY
- Contact: Nancy Haynes, 518-935-3185
- Email: nhaynes@mohawkhumanesociety.org
- Suzannes Dog Training, Wappingers Falls, NY
- Contact: Suzanne Taurone, 845-629-4789
- Website: www.suzannesdogtraining.com
- Reflective Dog Training, Schenectady, NY
- Contact: Ashley Hart, 518-227-0168
- Email: ashley@reflectivedogtraining.com
- Address: 1036 Regent St, Schenectady, NY 12309
- Website: www.reflectivedogtraining.com
- Loose Leash Dog Training Services, East Amherst, NY
- Contact: John Knoph, 716-481-5224
- Email: JAK383@yahoo-com
- Address: 8335 West Point Dr, East Amherst, NY 14051
- Maureen Kramer, Kattskill Bay, NY
- Contact: Maureen Kramer, 518-744-1029
- Email: bigmoose3@roadrunner.com
- Address: 1501 Pilot Knob Rd, Kattskill Bay, NY 12844
- Doc’s K9 Center, Kingston, NY
- Contact: Dr. Karen Garelick, 914-388-3636
- Email: docpugsey@yahoo-com
- Address: 385 Foxhall Ave, Kingston, NY 12401
All of these GREAT Trainers can help you through the process of training your Dog. From Puppy to Therapy Dog Training and beyond. Even our One-on-One training for that “Problem Child” dog you may be having trouble with. They do it all. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Certification
For any Handler and Dog to be part of RocDog they must be Certified. This means that they have been tested to verify they have the proper Skills, Training and Temperament for this type of work. Some breeds are better suited for this work. Also, Liability Insurance companies also frown on some breeds. Certification is for both the Handler and the Dog.
RocDog has top Trainers and Evaluators for Therapy Dogs in the area. Our RocDog Certifiers must approve you and your dog after you complete your training. Once you pass your test, you and your Dog can become part of RocDog.
Insurance
Information about General Liability Insurance for Therapy Dog Handlers
How to Join: Membership Information
- You must have a desire to help others.
- We are looking for good listeners.
- You must be responsible.