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BullNannies - Our Therapy Dog Program  Our goal at Critter Crossings is to raise sound canine citizens; most of the dogs we rescue come in after their socialization period has ended, but occasionally a litter of puppies find their lives at risk and that's where we come in. Ideally those puppies have their mother to assist in raising and socializing until at least seven weeks of age. We begin our socialization process at two weeks of age; the methods we use can be found in the Monks of New Skete as well as our personal experiences and input from our advisory trainers. Not every dog has the potential to become a therapy, assistive or companion animal, but when we discover one that does our goal is to match that dog up with an adult or child who has been prescribed a "Therapy Dog"; whether or not that dog becomes your assistive or companion animal would be the next step in YOUR adventure as these require specific training and certification. What we can and will do is assess each of our puppies to see who is sound in mind and body, has a serving, people pleasing attitude, rule out fearfulness and/or tendencies for aggression and offer up only our soundest in temperament. If you are seeking a Therapy Dog for yourself or child, please contact me. I can discuss with you the other therapy dogs we have placed. We may have a dog currently in our care that we believe is a match for your needs or if you would like to apply now for the next puppy that suits your needs and prescription's purpose we will be happy to work with you. 
Inspired by Saving Shelter Pets Puppy Promises program, Critter Crossings announces our BullNannies Program. Critter Crossings has always placed Therapy Dogs into homes with waived adoption donations (with a prescription from an M.D. or psychiatrist). In the four plus years I have fostered and rescued dogs, the Bully breeds are the ones I trust with my children the most.
So how do I combine my level of commitment to raising Autism Awareness and a breed of dog I have grown to admire, respect and adore?
By offering the placement of "The Nanny Dog" into homes where a therapy dog is required and/or desired...
My children have benefited greatly with the fostering and housing of over 400 dogs in the last four years. Within those 400 dogs, we have raised over 60+ Bully mixes to be outstanding canine citizens... we are seeking to share the experience and benefits of our kennel free socialization experience with other parents who want their child to have a best friend.
| Why Pit Bulls? For hundreds of years the Pit Bull dog has been bred to have a human friendly disposition and an overwhelming sense of need to please their owners. Dogs of all breeds have been mans assistants since the beginning of domestication and this is an area the Pit Bull has great opportunity to excel.
Pit Bulls are currently used and suitable for all types of service work including drug detection, emergency rescue, service and therapy work, military service, and much more. Because the Pit Bull puts its own interest second to that of its owners the chances of it achieving a task are greater than that of other breeds.
This is due to the Pit Bulls ease of training, focus on task, desire to please their owner, and don’t give up attitude.
Because the Pit Bull has such strength, intelligence, desire to please, and a don’t give up attitude it would make a good choice as a disabled assistant service dog to those who are facing issues of mobility. (excerpt from American Pit Bull Registry ( APBR ) | Therapy dogs are not service or assistance dogs. Therapy Dog refers to a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, mental institutions, schools and stressful situations such as disaster areas.
Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important aspect of a therapy dog is temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, at ease in all situations, and gentle. Therapy dogs must enjoy human contact and be content to be petted and handled, sometimes clumsily.
A therapy dog’s primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with him and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. The dog might need to be lifted onto, or climb onto, an invalid’s lap or bed and sit or lie comfortably there. Many dogs add to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audiences or by playing carefully structured games. |
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