Volunteer handlers and their dogs are active in Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities. They give of their time and talents to visit those wanting the companionship and the fuzzy touch of a canine friend.

The human part of the volunteer team must train, test and care for their precious therapy dog. They must be able to provide visiting time according to each individual’s schedule and responsibilities at home and at work. Handlers with challenges are encouraged to test as well for certification.

The canine part of the team must possess an unquestionable temperament – calm, caring and comfortable with children, seniors, adults, teens. Temperament is usually innate! They must be “trainable” in the other elements required for TDI certification (click on “Certify Your Dog”). The special pets may be purebreds or mixed breeds.

As volunteers, we may not receive any remuneration for our services. Handling our dogs in various facilities is a gift of our handlers given from the heart. Our certified dogs have big hearts as well and thoroughly enjoy their time with others.

YOU CAN JOIN THIS WONDERFUL GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS – WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GOOD DOGS AND HANDLERS TO HELP WITH THE MANY FACILITIES WE ARE REQUESTED TO VISIT!!

The following is a list of facilities that our group is currenty visiting:

RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES:

            Avera Prince of Peace

Bethany Meadows Brandon

            Dow Rummel Village

            Good Samaritan Canton

            Greenleaf Assisted Living

            Helping Hands Assisted Living, Brandon

            Hiawatha Heights Assisted Living, Canton

            Waterford at All Saints

            Center for Active Generations Day Break Program

            Stoneybrook Assisted Living Center

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUPS

            Avera Behavioral Health

            SE Behavioral Health

HOSPITALS

            Avera Rehabilitation

            Avera Hospice

            VA Medical Center

            Sanford Health

CHILDREN’S HOMES

            Children’s Care Hospital and School

            Children’s Home Society

CHILDREN READING TO DOGS

            Rosa Parks Elementary School

            Another Sioux Falls School and Canton Lawrence Elementary School Targeted for Fall of ‘08

SPECIAL EVENTS

Ø  12/13/07 Speaker at Kiwanis Club publicizing the work of TDI – several TDI teams present

Ø  12/14/07 Miller Funeral Home invited TDIs to provide grief therapy for families who lost loved ones in 2007 – 15 TDI teams present at memorial service

Ø  12/19/07 New TWT Teams introduced to all classrooms and children beginning the Children Reading to Dogs Program in Sioux Falls

Ø  2/8/08 Associate Vicki Dengler (Dakota) was honored by WalMart for her dedication to community service through TDI

Ø  4/1/08 TWTs presented a program at Rosa Parks PTA as guests of honor

Ø  4/28-//30/08 Sioux Empire Kennel Club Agility Trial – TDI Booth to publicize TDI certification and therapy dog work

Ø  3/17/08 TDI teams ready to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade – YIKES – snow mixed with rain – pulled our entry because of our precious pets.

Ø  3/26/08 and 4/23/08 TWT special events in Canton at the Lawrence Elementary School – recruiting local residents to train, test and join TDI for all activities including TWT in Canton (2 new recruits tested, passed and waiting registration)

Ø  5/1/08 Senior Expo at the Center for Active Generations to recruit for and publicize TDI

Ø  5/4/08 Loyalty Day Parade, Brandon, SD TDI banner with TDI teams in their red (TWT), white (TDI) and blue (TWT) polo shirts

Ø  5/8/08 Children’s Home Society – 12 teams visited with 6o precious children  - without parents, from abusive homes, and without foster care available!