"Our best reactions have been with children and the elderly," says John McCrea of his visits to hospitals, schools and nursing homes with his 100+ pound "therapy dog," Coach. "Most kids love dogs and to see a humongous Leonberger walking the halls of a hospital brings laughs and giggles from all the kids we encounter."
Penny Carlson, another therapy dog owner, recalls visiting an elderly man in his room. "He told me he hated dogs. Couldn't stand them. But, as he started telling me why he hated dogs, he began to remember stories from his childhood. He never did warm up to Sergeant, but we ended up talking for over an hour." John and Penny both say it varies widely from person to person. "Some cry because they remember pets they've had in their lives," says Penny. And some just "like to hug Coach and have her spend some time with them," says John.
John and Coach became involved in animal therapy purely by chance. During Christmas in 1998, John and Coach were walking in a mall when they came across a group of handicapped adults in wheelchairs and their caregivers. "For some reason Coach was immediately attracted to them and vice versa. They began to pet and hug her and she kissed them back. It was a very rewarding experience for Coach, the handicapped, and ourselves." In fact, the experience was so rewarding that John went home and searched the Internet for "therapy dogs." It was during that search that he found out about Therapy Dogs International.
Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) is a worldwide volunteer organization, composed of qualified handlers and their dogs. Founded in 1976, this non-profit organization is dedicated to the idea of providing comfort and companionship by sharing their dogs with patients in hospitals, nursing homes or wherever a Therapy Dog can do the most good. Recent surveys have shown that positive interaction between people and animals, such as petting, brushing and hugging, can help lower blood pressure, ease depression and relieve stress. One theory as to why animals have such a beneficial effect on people is that they offer their love and devotion unconditionally, with no judgment or hidden agendas.
To become a certified Therapy Dog, a dog must pass the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). Test items include:
1. Accepting a friendly stranger
2. Sitting politely for petting
3. Appearance and grooming
4. Walking politely on a loose leash
5. Sit and down on command/stay in place
6. Coming when called
7. Reaction to another dog
8. Reaction to distractions
9. Supervised separations
In addition a dog must be at least one year old, in good health and have all his or her inoculations. Once they have passed their tests, the dogs and their handlers are ready to make their visits. John is proud to say that Coach is certified as TDIA, which stands for Therapy Dogs International Active, meaning that she has completed over fifty visits to hospitals and other institutions since her certification in May of 1999. In fact, she has made over 90 visits to date. "I think that animal therapy is a wonderful program as it brings a smile, a laugh or a happy tear that would not have been a part of the patient's day." 
