delay

Today I received some disappointing news at class. The Delta Society requires the handler to have known their potential therapy animal for at least 6 months before completing the evaluation to become registered. This means I will need to wait until June to complete the registration process.

It is not the end of the world but it is disappointing to wait more, I feel like I have been waiting years already!

I understand Delta's requirement, it makes perfect sense. The Delta Society lists three requirements for a good therapy animal. The animal must be reliable, predictable and controllable. Being able to predict an animal's behavior in diverse conditions is only going to happen after spending lots of time together. I have only known Theo now for about 5 weeks, which is not nearly long enough to know how he will respond to most situations. I can guess that he would meet any situation with his gentle easy going nature but time is needed to know for sure.

So, I will finish the class at the end of March and then get three months to continually practice everything before the big test. Then I hope we both pass!