Years ago, I had my now passed GSD easily certified to do therapy work. I became a Tester/Observer evaluator for the local org through TDInc. So I had a clue of how this works, and have hosted big dogs for almost 40 years.

Fast forward to now. I have a 3 1/2 yr old GSD who has his CGC,BH, FO, TT and we're close to trialing for SchH1. He is a better candidate than the old dog was and yet it was much more difficult to get him certified due to human fearful behavior and prejudice towards the breed from the local organization's evaluators. I called the national organization and got a fair shake from them and a chance to go elsewhere for our final test, and easily passed, but my point is...
compared to 8 years ago, the mood out there towards GSD's is as bad as it's ever been. BSL, PETA, HSUS, anti-bitework, anti-tug, anti-working dog politically correct idiocy is gaining ground and on the way to mambi-pambiville, legislators will be likely outlawing our working breeds to protect the frightened masses from the phobias induced by those forces. There are already hospitals in Michigan that will not allow GSDs, certified TD or not.

The political wrangling between the GSDCA/WDA and the UScA is self defeating and while they both babble incessantly about who's right and for the good of the breed, by not working together they only make it easier for the ignorance and fear to grow unchecked.

It's crazy, and getting worse all the time.

Sad to hear you had an issue with TDI. For most of us on the board, TDI is now our only option for Therapy Dog Certifications. Delta has blanket-banned a large majority of our dogs.

There are 2 TDI's
Therapy Dogs Inc. & Therapy Dogs International.

It was a local organization which is affiliated with TDInc that I had difficulty with, but the national organization itself was quite helpful. The prez of TDInc has Pit Bulls, so I didn't figure they'd agree with the behavior of the local org. and that they likely had other evaluators nearby not part of that org.

TDInternational was another option. They have GSDs all over their site. Turns out we didn't need to go there. I do know they make you agree not to also belong to some other therapy group...can't imagine why, maybe they like the JA!

The only thing I've ever heard about Delta is the don't allow raw fed dogs to participate. Seems silly to me, but again no experience with them. Taste of blood wive's tale I guess, as they suck down prime rib still mooing.

They all have rules.

I've heard about Delta not permitting raw fed dogs but I wonder how they would ever know unless someone told them he/she fed raw?

 Quote: Dan Oas

.... The only thing I've ever heard about Delta is the don't allow raw fed dogs to participate.

This thread goes into that in detail:

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=281816&Searchpage=2&Main=26604&Words=delta&topic=0&Search=true#Post281816

Dan,

I currently have my 2 1/2 year old GSD Drift working with me as a therapy dog in a mental health facility for children and teens. The company that I work for allows dogs to work as therapy dogs as long as they are in training and close to certification. Drift already has her CGC.

When I mentioned to my Regional Administrator that I had a GSD that I was working with and wanted to bring her in, he hedged a bit. He was afraid that her size would be frightening for some of the younger clients. Well, I had him meet her, and within 30 seconds she had him won over. And she has been working with me ever since. I guess, if you come to a facility that won't let you bring in your dog, ask the governing party to meet him before they judge him. That's what I plan to do with Drift.

We will be going for certification with TDInternational in a couple of weeks. I know the evaluator, and she is fair and impartial. She does not discriminate based on breed, nor does she favor dogs that she knows. I am hoping that the evaluator in your case was a rare one, and not common among the organization.

Therapy dogs of all sizes and breeds make such a huge difference in the lives of those that they meet. To deny any clients the benefit of spending time with a suitable therapy dog based only on breed/size is a shame. Each dog is different, and each brings something different to the table. As long as the dog is able to pass the test, then it should be allowed to do the work it was trained to do.

--Kel