Introduction

Jazz was born sometime in mid 2006, a Shetland Sheepdog/Dachshund mix, or what we affectionately call “a Shelthund Dacheltie”. She has the slight roman nose and distinctive wrist & ankle joints of the Dachshund along with an elongated top line (back). Her ears, cat-like feet and white markings are hallmarks of the Sheltie and she shares the temperament of both breeds.

Jazz found her forever home on July 25^th, 2007 at Gianna Violins, the small acoustic stringed instrument shop owned and operated by her new family. Jazz was a stray, suspected to have been an dumped by previous owners. Condition and health suggested she had been somewhat cared for though no one was looking for her and no one claimed her. A lovely little dog that had simply been thrown away like everyday garbage.

Jazz joins fellow fur-family members: Mac, an elderly Border Collie of 14 years and retired therapy dog. Elvis, an over-sized Treeing Walker Coonhound and current though non-active therapy dog (since their owners' cycling accident and hand injuries). Jazz's favorite “brother” is Jinx, the family cat, a domestic short hair. Being the only “girl” fur-child, she is without a doubt the “pampered princess”.

Jazz began her journey with animal assisted therapy in the autumn of 2007, during her persons' recovery from a cycling accident. No longer able to handle Elvis, attention turned to Jazz for her assistance in this rewarding field. Jazz was still in the learning phase with her family, but she passed all the assessments with relative ease. During the course of that winter (2007-2008) Jazz took over Elvis' assignment at a transitional care facility and gradually added the nearby elementary school to her weekly visits.

This blog is dedicated to Jazz and the journey of animal assisted therapy. Herein will be offered up a creative dish of information on caring for, training and socializing a successful therapy dog.

Jazz

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