get a therapy dog certification for my dog

I have been a Professional Dog Trainer for 34 years, yes I started when I was 8 years old. My Dad had a huge kennel that I started working at where we trained 100’s of dogs, each year. Then as I became older I was drawn to helping people with Autism. I taught children with Autism for 8 years ans loved every step of the way. I would often bring my dog along and watch how calm the dog would make the student, help with anxiety, help with toliet breaking, just about everything you can imagine. So now in fact, this is what I beleive strongly THAT an autistic child or an adult needs in their life, a dog, to help with the daily living skills, and open their lives up to more freedom and acceptance from others.

i have been involved in animal based careers most of my life.
Mostly in zoos and aquariums in a handler/trainer position.
When my Father died so did I. I lost the greatest job anyone would or could dream of and for the following 8 years, other than breathing and the fact my heart was pumping blood through my veins, I was more or less dead. The only physical activity and really the entire reason for my allowing myself to go on this way was the fact that I had 3 dogs that needed me very much. My visits with them were not very long and generally included assuring they had food and water and telling them I loved them.
Last year I had an awful episode that landed me into a mental hospital. I found myself with no where to go once I got out. A social worker at the hospital had someone come to “asess” me for possible living arangements at a boarding home type setting. With nothing or no one to turn to I accepted her invitation to live at the facility.
Within a month I was working at this facility. It is a boarding home for mentally ill people who have the ability to care for themsleves where most cases are concerned but yet still need a helping hand in some areas. I, myself am bi polar.
When I finally began to awake from the severe depression I had endured I began to realise that none of my family had really supported my illness, and certainly did not discuss such a thing.
I found that I really had no friends, or what I would define as friends. They too seemed to convienently fade away during my illness. The only companions that remained a constant during and after the depression were my dogs. After all the years they spent all but entirely seperated from me, they were at my side when I came out of it and they never passed any judgement on me for anything. Although I have always been aware that only dogs(maybe other species of animals as well) truly love unconditionally, I found myself really understanding “my” definition of love.
I know what it is like to be buried alive and the only breath of life taken was a few minutes spent with my dogs each day.
If I could offer this “few minutes” just for one day to someone willing to accept it, I feel in many ways it could help to complete me.
Even remembering those days/years of darkness scares me. I never want to re-enter that state again. I find at times that I am having thoughts filled with bitterness for having done nothing in a full eight years of what was supposed to be the “prime” of my life.
But in the darkness there was a light that could have never been seen then but shines bright through every day in guidence of how to lead my present life.
I now know what I wish to accomplish in what ever amount of time I have left here on this planet.
When I grow up, I want to Know How To Love Like A Dog Loves.

In Memory of Connor and to his Daughter, Mallory, Grandaughter, Jewel and to the one who brought and continues to bring to me, where I am in the moment, Neo.
I love you always and forever and with no conditions given.
Thank You.
Dog Bless!

And then start taking waverly to the rest home down the street. Or other places. But do some service work and share the waverly love.