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Saturday, September 22, 2012

Big News! Sam the Therapy Dog!


We have some exciting news to share!  We took Sam for a TDI (Therapy Dog International) test this morning and he passed!  Our Sam is now a therapy dog! 
I'm ready to share the love!
I'll admit, I was a bit nervous, which is why I hadn't mentioned on the blog we were attempting this.  There were two parts of this test that we were worried about.  The first was a 3 minute stay where I had to leave the room.  Sam hates to be separated from me, but he passed this part with flying colors!  The second,which most of the other dogs where failing at, was ignoring food on the ground.  They tossed chicken in front of Sam and he walked over it twice without even looking at it.  The evaluators were amazed that a Golden would ignore food.  Shoot, I was amazed Sam ignored the food. 

Sam is getting a well earned nap right now - both Monty and he have had treats to celebrate and lots of loving.

61 comments:

  1. Yea Sam,

    We are so proud of you.

    Hamish & Sophie
    Sheila & Bob

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  2. Wow!!! Congratulations!!, we are so proud of you Sam!!

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  3. Way to go Sam! :)

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae and Max

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  4. YEAH! Way to GO, Sam!!! Congrats. That's a lot of hard work! You're going to make a real positive change in a lot of lives!
    Play bows,
    Zim

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  5. Woof! Woof! Golden CONGRATS! SAM Sending you Lots of Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  6. Congratulations Sam! That's wonderful! You'll be a wonderful therapy dog!!!

    your pal,
    Garth

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  7. You ignored chicken on the ground? Twice?! Sam, you deserve a Gold Medal, not just a certificate!

    Well done guys :) X

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  8. Way to go, Dude! We woulda failed both those tests... like really, it's CHICKEN!

    Sam and Pippen

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  9. Please tell me how you taught him to ignore food!!! I can't get Jack to stop eating mesquite beans for the life of me!

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  10. Wow! That is amazing!

    I hope you write about your therapy work. It must be one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have.

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  11. Exactly where did you leave that chicken? I hope it is still there when I get there.

    Mogley G. Retriever

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  12. Hurrah!!! My Ben was a therapy dog with Delta Society. It was a gas!!! I hated the 'leave him for 3 minute test', especially considering that you are to NEVER leave your dog when you visit a nursing home or hospital or school!
    Can't wait to hear more! What color is TDI vest?????

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  13. U be da coolest guy Sam. Don't git too far from yer Mum.....BOL
    yer buddy Easton
    Rooooooooooooooooooooooo

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  14. Sam, we are so proud of you, and your Mom should be too. We think it would be very difficult for us to pass up a chance at that chicken:)

    We all think you will make an awesome therapy dog.

    Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

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  15. Oh, Congratulations, Sam! Mom took the TDI test with Treat and was really nervous, too, but Treat took it all in stride. She wants to get me certified through Delta, but has to work up the nerve, first. I've already passed the CGC, and she knows that I can pass the test. It's her who's the terrible test taker!

    Bunny

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  16. Wooo Hooo Sam!! You stepped over chicken TWICE?!! That is incrediable. Don't think I could have done that. Congratulations. You are going to make a whole lot of people feel oh so much better.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  17. Great job, Sam. We think you will be a great therapy dog.

    Tucker and Daisy

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  18. That's amazing!! Congratulations to Sam and all of you! Wow, passing up chicken and staying for three minutes? I wouldn't have lasted 30 seconds! You are going to do great things Sam!

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  19. KhonGRats!!!

    I think Khousin MERDIE!!! would pass but so not the other two ;-)

    Hugz&Khysses
    Khyra

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  20. Sam! Yeu are my hero! I know how hard these tests are, speshully fur us goldens, and that is so seriously awesum!!! Yeu clearly ROCK, butt... deu yeu teutor??? [Monty and I whill be yeur steudents!]

    wiff lubbs from Little Reufus

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  21. Congratulations to Sam. I'm sure you'll be an excellent Therapy Dog. I know if I were in a hospital, or ever in a situation where I needed good cheer, I'd certainly hope Sam would come visit me.

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  22. Congrats Sam. Boy, you've got self-control to ignore chicken. Hospital staff and patients will fall in love with you.

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  23. Well done Sam and a big warm congratulations. Have a wonderful Sunday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  24. Well done, Sam. No way would we ignore food.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  25. That is fantasic..I would do the sit and stay, but I don't know if I would pass the chicken test..bol Big congratulations Sam xx00xx

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  26. Congrats!!! That is just so cool!!! You will be a wonderful therapy dog, Sam!!!

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  27. Aw, Sammy! Your cousins and I are so proud of you! Belly rubs all around! :)

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  28. Congrats! So excited for you guys! We've been interested in doing this with Mr. B. How different is it from CGC, and what did you do to prepare?

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  29. Three Cheers for SAM!! I bet you can't wait to start your JOB. Congrats to you all.

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  30. YEAH Sam.....Congratulations, that is wonderful. I have to tell you, that dropping food in front of me would have been almost impossible for me to pass up.
    Thank goodness, that part wasn't in my test, or if ti was, I missed it.
    Can't wait to hear about some of the places you get to go to. I just bet you will be the most loved dog in your area.

    Bert and My Vickie

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  31. Wow! We are impressed, Sam! Congratulations!

    Love ya lots,
    Mitch and Molly

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  32. Congratulations, Sam!
    You are going to share your love with lots of people who need it!
    Good job!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  33. AWESOME Sam!!! We are so very happy for you AND for your mom! That's really an accomplishment!! Way to go!! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

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  34. Congrats!! That's so totally pawsome! We know Sam will be a wonderful therapy doggie! :)

    Woofs & huggies, <3

    ~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)
    PS... mommy says to tell you that she got your message, and to say THANK YOU! :) :)

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  35. Oh how wonderful! A huge congratulations to Sam and your family! Good job buddy!:)

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  36. Hi Y'all,

    Congratulations on your TDI pass! Way to go!

    Thanks for visitin' me!

    Hope y'all are havin' a great day and a safe week!

    Y'all hurry back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  37. That is outstanding news!

    How in the world did you train him to ignore food like that? That is the part of the test that I think Blueberry will fail. And then I think - well, gosh, it's not like the people in the hospital or nursing home will be throwing their food down the hall or anything, so why is that so important?

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  38. That is HUGE! Congratulations! I had a therapy dog once and it was the best. Sadly, neither current dog seems suited to it, but you never know. Can't wait to see him at work.

    Mango Momma

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  39. Wow! Congratulations to you both. This is such a big accomplishment. I can't wait to read about your work together as a therapy team.

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  40. Congratulations Sam! What a fantastic accomplishment. You are a special hero working to make the world a better place...we are proud to be your friends.

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  41. Oh Sam, CONGRATULATIONS!!! What an amazing achievement! I know that you and your mom are going to touch many people's lives for the good. You are a special, special pup.
    Congratulations again!
    With love
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  42. Congratulations, Sam! That time away from your human is the tough part of the test, glad you did so well! When Riley took her test, one of the guys helping with the test was feeding her part of the chicken taco that they were going to put on the floor...so of course, when it came time to take the test, she was a little more interested in it than I would have liked, but she still left it alone. Phew!

    You'll have a blast going on therapy visits! Where are you looking to go? Schools, libraries, hospitals, nursing homes? We always like going to the nursing home because a lot of people go to the other places and the nursing homes kind of get ignored.

    Elyse and Riley

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  43. Congratulations SAM... GREAT GREAT GREAT achievement... :D

    Slobbers, Paw-Shakes and love
    Pluto n Mumma

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  44. Oh you are gonna make some peeps smile so big Sam! Congrats Therapy Dude! :D

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

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  45. Congratulations Sam! That is pawsome news! I am furry impressed you were able to ignore the chicken. That had to take some strong will power. Good for you! You will be a great Therapy Dog, and a beautiful one at that!

    Suka

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  46. So proud of you Sam! High paws!
    But seriously, you passed up chicken? LOL!

    June

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  47. Hooray for you Sam! I bet you'll be a great therapy dog.

    My name is Oskar & I'd like to invite you to be featured on my blog at www.PetBlogsUnited.com. It's a great way to meet new blogging friends. If you're interested you can drop me a line at PBU at comcast dot net.

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  48. Oh CONGRATULATIONS Sam!!!! I'm so happy for you - and so proud of you! Although I don't know why your human was nervous - we all knew you'd pass with flying colours!

    Looking forward to hearing all about your Therapy adventures!

    Slobbers,
    Honey the Great Dane

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  49. Congratulations to the power of 87, Sam!!!!!

    Come to our bloggie tomorrow and snatch a badge. You have earned it. I hope one day my dog can be a therapy dog too. Such a wonderful thing to do.

    I'll be back,
    Sankissjuice

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  50. Well done Sam, you will be a brilliant therapy dog we are sure.

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  51. Well done, Sam! Charlie would never pass either of those tests.

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  52. Wow - congratulations! Very proud of Sam and his humans. Such a wonderful thing you're doing.

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  53. Congratulations!! Sam is such a beauty inside and out! Thanks for visiting our blog, now that I figured out how to find you we'll be back more often!

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  54. Congratulation Sam!! Was there ever really doubt?? Tell your momma to worry about something else!! :)

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