My name is Robin and I have been training dogs for over 30 years. It has just been within the last few years that I decided to train dogs with a goal in mind-to have owners feel the deep bond with their dogs that I have with mine and in doing so, maybe they will  share that bond with others less fortunate by becoming a therapy team.

I am endorsed by the Internation Association of Canine Professionals on a professional level.

I am an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. I can teach you and your dog what you need to know to pass the AKC CGC test and I can administer the test. I compete in AKC competition events and have never failed to place while competing. 

I am a member of Therapy Dogs Inc and am the first Tester/Observer in Frankin County, Missouri. My therapy dog, Nick, is the first therapy dog with this national organization in this county. I am a member of the Missouri Rhineland Kennel Club. I volunteer my spare time to the Franklin County Humane Society in Union, MO. One of my goals at the humane society is to train dogs in basic obedience and socialization so they can go to a forever home. Usually dogs are at the humane society because they lack the training to make or keep them a part of a family pack. Often, these dogs make excellent therapy dogs once adopted, socialized, and trained.  If you would like to become a therapy team or work at a facility that would benefit from such visits, please email Robin at preppiepaws@hotmail.com
 Nick                           Nick and Bob
                                                                  

                                                         ABOUT THERAPY DOGS

There is no specific breed that makes a better therapy dog over another breed. Any dog, with the right training and disposition, can become a therapy dog. Besides having good obedience skills, he needs to be willing to meet and interact with strangers, work well with other dogs, and react calmly to distractions and stress such as ears and tail being pulled by young hands or shaky older hands trying to manage a pat on the head.  I have found the best tool to help prepare your puppy for a career as a working therapy dog is to properly socialize him from an early age. The more he is exposed to different situations, people, places, sights and sounds in a controlled setting, the more adapted he becomes to these things. 


That is why I train dogs and by doing that, I open the doors to a new world which can be explored by dog/handler teams. Many registered teams started out just getting basic obedience skills for their dog/puppy and eventually went on to become a therapy team. It is very rewarding to take your trained dog to a facility and 'work' your dog in order to help others.

I researched many animal assisted therapy organizations when I had decided to make the official move to join one of them. I chose Therapy Dogs, Inc.. They are based out of Cheyenne, WY and can be found at www.therapydogs.com . After initially becoming a member/team with my Great White Pyrenees, Nick, I later became a tester/observer for the organization. I felt in this way, I could help to spread the joy. I also knew there was little to no official therapy dogs or groups in my county and I felt it was needed. I liked the idea of a professional organization that had guidelines and rules for it's members. This helps to eliminate the occassional family pet brought to a facility that is not socialized properly and could harm or injure a person. At Therapy Dogs, Inc. the goal is to provide registration, support, and insurance for members who are involved in volunteer animal assisted activities to such places as hospitals, special needs centers, schools, hospice care, and nursing homes. Our objective is to form a network of caring dog/handler teams who are willing to share their special animals in order to bring happiness and cheer to people.

                                            Stella and Nick
                                                                                      
                                                                                        In Memory of

                                                                  Stella Josephine Griemel

                                                                         October 8, 1922 - June 7, 2010 

                                                                    Robert Glennon Griemel

                                                                      August 8, 1923 - October 17, 2010            

                     Stella and Bob were Nick's first 'patients' in his new role as therapy dog. I will always remember them for
                                          helping us in the beginning on our journey. May God Bless them on their journey.

                                                             

 

 preppiepaws@hotmail.com

 

 

                              Nick and I 'working' with school children.
                                                                                                                                                          



Therapy teams, Glenda & Molly and Laura & Cooper, having fun on a therapy visit.

ABOUT THERAPY DOGS