Update on Ivan - he got his Therapy certification with TDI! He was fantastic in the test, and passed with flying colors. The evaluator even wrote out an additional testimony for me to send in when I register him. I have a video and a bunch of pics that I will link to eventually, I just haven't had a chance to finish it all yet.

Yay! That is wonderful news.
The dog in my sig pic is also TDI certified. I am sure Ivan will love his new job! Great work, team Feathers.

Strange question:

Did the tester smack him on the face?

The tester didn't, but one of the "patients" did. Some of the "patients" were attempting a simulation of a dementia ward, or a mentally handicapped visit, etc. Trying to "test" for as much as possible - yelling, knocking over walkers, dropping crutches, etc.
Ivan just kept licking hands that were close enough, no matter what happened in the test.

That's what I had heard.

A good friend took her dog for the TDI test; the dog was disqualified and deemed "vicious" because after being slapped on the face, it lifted it's lip slightly.

I can't see Danke not showing some sort of dislike to an adult bopping her on the muzzle. She'd lift a lip or grumble about it, and apparently that's disqualifying.

Have a kid do the same thing, and she'd just wag her tail.

I guess TDI just isn't going to happen with this dog.

Cameron and Ivan, congrats! How does is work as far as him actually being used as a therapy dog?

 Quote: alyssa myracle

That's what I had heard.

A good friend took her dog for the TDI test; the dog was disqualified and deemed "vicious" because after being slapped on the face, it lifted it's lip slightly.

I think that "deemed vicious" is a bit of a stretch to call a dog put in an extraordinary situation. I mean, the dogs ARE being asked to do more than should be expected of them. A LOT of fantastic and WONDERFUL dogs are just not cut out for TD work.
To tell the truth, I have mixed feelings about this part of the test. I think it's a good way to see as much as possible what a dogs' usual tendencies are/would be, but it won't rule OUT the possibility. Not to mention the fact that a good handler will be going overboard to try and prevent/protect the dog from this sort of thing. But I guess it is a necessary evil??? Dunno.
But I DID know that, given his history as a former fighter and the fact that he was HORRIBLY abused before I got him, I was already pretty sure of his temperment prior to this test, no matter what they threw at him. I have a pic and video of him riding around ON the wheelchair from when I was getting him used to the medical equipment.

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

Cameron and Ivan, congrats! How does is work as far as him actually being used as a therapy dog?

Actually, we are hopefully going to do awareness and such, as well as some work in a hospital near here. The big thing that he is (hopefully) going to be used for is a reading to dogs program in a school. It is for kids with disabilities/speech issues/etc that practice reading books to a dog, to build confidence and encourage them to read aloud. I think this is a great fit for him. Ivan already practices with a 5 year old almost nightly
I'm continuing training with him for SAR work, though. The TD cert was because I felt it would give more credibility to his temperment.

 Quote:

The big thing that he is (hopefully) going to be used for is a reading to dogs program in a school. It is for kids with disabilities/speech issues/etc that practice reading books to a dog, to build confidence and encourage them to read aloud. I think this is a great fit for him. Ivan already practices with a 5 year old almost nightly

Interesting that you mention this; I was just reading (in the dentist's office ) about this program. What a great way to help kids read...
The best to you both for the SAR training. I remember when you first were working with him that you said he had a fantastic nose...

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

The best to you both for the SAR training. I remember when you first were working with him that you said he had a fantastic nose...

Yeah, I think he does... so far he is doing well in everything we have worked on. Time will tell if he has anything for SAR. At least he is fun to work with :-)