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Therapy dog, allergies question
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- Just Whelped
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2016 2:42 am
- Tell us about yourself: Getting a Dutch Shepard as a therapy dog!
Therapy dog, allergies question
Hello! I am considering getting a DS trained as a therapy dog for my therapy practice (mental health counseling). My question is regarding allergies. I would imagine whether you are visiting places or have a therapy dog in your work space you encounter individuals with dog allergies. Has this been an issue with DS? The trainer (who is highly regarded) says he doesn't have issues with this breed and has placed them as service dogs with allergic kids. Thanks for any input!
- Dutchringgirl
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 5692
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:05 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I am a mom of 6 life forces - 2 kids and 3 dogs 1 hamster. I live in Ct. I have trained Ringsport and Agility and have 2 DS, one 15 and 7 and a Basset Hound Cookie who is 2
- Location: Ct, USA
Re: Therapy dog, allergies question
I did therapy work with Thalie for a long time and never had problems. Went into schools, age homes. Not a problem. that dosnt mean you wont though. It depends on what the allergies are that the people have, not all allergies include dogs. Its usually to cats.
Lisa, Thalie CGC & Sadie, Cookie the Basset, CT
- Owned-By-Hendrix
- Training Dog
- Posts: 942
- Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:40 am
- Tell us about yourself: Dutch Shepherd Owner.
Re: Therapy dog, allergies question
Depends mostly on the allergies of the practice/patients. People are allergic to dog dander/hair, and DS shed A LOT. They also are in tune to people's emotions which can make them protective and reactive. I would suggest the route of a Poodle or other non-shed breed if you're worried about patient allergies, or be committed to a lot of deep cleaning and brushing the dog multiple times every day.
Kay, H, and The SO
(Pepper's Look-A-Like)
(Tyson's Soul Twin)
(Pepper's Look-A-Like)
(Tyson's Soul Twin)