If you are intested in puppy/basic obedience classes in the Permian Basin, please visit the website for the Permian Basin Obedience Trial Club. They have regular classes throughout the year. Also check with the WEST TEXAS CANINE COLLEGE for Puppy STAR & CGC classes. Both offer good preparation for therapy work. For therapy preparation classes specifically (held irregularly & on demand), contact Leanne Howell. TDI/CGC testing is done 3-4 times a year in West TX: contact JP Yousha for details. Each test involves a $5.00 fee ($10.00 for both). NEXT TEST IN THE PERMIAN BASIN IS...PENDING. ******************* For information on therapy dog testing and training, or for therapy dog presentations, in the PERMINA BASIN, please contact TDI Evaluator JP Yousha (432) 684-8940 or jpy@chromadane.com For information on therapy dog testing and training, or for therapy dog presentations, in the EL PASO area, please contact TDI Evaluator Dina Whitehouse (915) 588-2938 or dina@elp.rr.com

For more and detailed information on THERAPY DOGS visit Therapy Dogs International, The Delta Society, &/or Therapy Dogs inc. To learn more about the differences in service & therapy dogs, click here. For a ONE STOP REFERENCE to find therapy dog groups nationwide, click here. For a long list of resources on animal assisted therapy, click here.

JP YOUSHA IS THE CO-FOUNDER, COORDINATOR & TRAINING DIRECTOR FOR TWO THERAPY DOG PROGRAMS IN THE PERMIAN BASIN: DOG TALES (a TDI-established program based in the Midland County Library that focuses on improving reading skills in children) & HOSPICE HOUNDS (a Hospice of Midland based TDI-established program that both provides TDI therapy dog visitation for Hospice patients & also helps care for the pets of those in hospice care). In addition we have a new "FIRST TUESDAY NIGHT OUT" program for *all* those who have certified therapy dogs--a program that offers a dog park experience with free training *exclusively* to those who volunteer to do therapy dog work. For more on any/all of these programs, contact JP YOUSHA.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE THERAPY DANE PAGE AT THE GREAT DANE CLUB OF AMERICA

THERAPY DOGS ARE SPECIAL=THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES IN UNIQUE WAYS! JOIN THEIR RANKS & "DONATE" UR & UR DOG's TIME!

ZEN & owner-handler Paula Stebbins with a Lake Charles LA group of therapy dog volunteers shown above. Therapy dogs serve their communities with pride!

To contact Dina Whitehouse, click here. To visit her therapy page, click here. To see more ChromaDanes doing therapy, click here.

To contact JP Yousha, click here. To contact Leanne Howel, click here.

DOG TALES is an established Therapy Dog organization in Midland Texas focusing on establishing animal assisted therapy for children's services. The program began summer of 2005 began the "DOG DAY AFTERNOON" program with the Midland Country Library, which has continued into 2006 to include story time and reading assistance groups, as well as pet & animal education service. DOG TALES is co-chaired by JP Yousha and Leanne Howell, and represents a group of dedicated local volunteers who team up with their dogs to provide emotional support, education and other aid to various groups. We visit schools, especially concentrating on those children with handicaps, we work with the local library to help improve reading skills and knowledge of humane pet care, we visit nursing homes to help bring warmth and smiles, and various other skilled nursing and occupational and physical therapy facilities as well. This group as well as other therapy dog groups and independent (all trained & certified) individuals offer to the community a wide array of dogs, from Danes to Dachshunds, and a variety of skilled volunteers, from therapists and counselors, to experienced dog trainers, educators, multi-talented moms & homemakers, the opportunity to work in the community with their pets sharing the love and fun they bring! Photos of the dogs in action below.

For more on THERAPY DOGS visit Therapy Dogs International, The Delta Society, &/or Therapy Dogs inc. For a long list of resources on animal assisted therapy, click here.

For information on therapy dog testing and training, in the EL PASO area, please contact TDI Evaluator Dina Whitehouse (915) 5882938 or dina@elp.rr.com For information on therapy dog testing and training, in the PERMINA BASIN, please contact TDI Evaluator JP Yousha (432) 684-8940 or jpy@chromadane.com

CHROMADANE HAS FIVE GENERATIONS OF THERAPY DANES! JP Yousha is the former Chapter Director (& Certified TDI Evaluator alt/ Detla Evaluator), of Thera-Paws in El Paso, and relocated to Midland Texas in late 2003, and now assists with testings and training of therapy and service dogs in the Permian Basin. During the 12 years in El Paso JP Yousha ran this multi-volunteer mutliple facility therapy dog group, plus gave a lab to the UTEP College of Heatlh Sciences about the use of animals in various therapy situations, attended the various health fairs to sponsor a booth on animal therapy, and has often been invited to give lectures to a variety of local groups on the value of therapy and assistance animals. Dina Whitehouse will continue this work in the El Paso area, while JP Yousha will help out in the Permian Basin region (of West Texas) as a CGC & TDI evaluator,as well as an AKC Canine Abassador, and is available by request for individualized therapy visitation, pet education projects, as well as specialized training. There is quite a bit of data that has accumulated to reinforce what we all intuit: that pets can make the lives of many people better in many different ways. We who are dedicated to animal assisted therapy share our beloved pets (properly groomed, trained, insured and registered) with others, in the hopes a little of their special qualities can bring some joy to those we meet.