Rottweiler that mauled Beaverton owner's hand now a therapy dog

AP | 3.8.05

[ambrose]

Rottweiler that mauled Beaverton owner's hand now a therapy dog

March 8, 2005, 12:30 AM

BEAVERTON, Mich. (AP) -- A hundred-pound rottweiler that once ripped tendons and broke several bones in his owner's hand has received certification as a medical therapy dog.

Marietta Sprott, owner of 4-year-old Chopper, says the bite was an accident and plans to take him into nursing homes so patients can pet him and cuddle with him.

The 51-year-old resident of Beaverton, south of Gladwin in the northern Lower Peninsula, said she wanted Chopper to be a therapy dog to show that rottweilers do not deserve their bad reputation and to clear Chopper's name.

"He's been listed as a vicious dog and he's not vicious," she told The Bay City Times for a story Monday.

Chopper has been tested and registered as a therapy dog by Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs Inc., a national organization with offices in Taylor.

"I pushed him as far as I knew how to push a dog and could not get a reaction out of him as far as aggression," said Jan Beregszaszy, an evaluator with Bright and Beautiful who tested Chopper.

Therapy dogs are trained to visit people in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions. Research shows that the visits often improve the quality of life for patients.

To have a dog certified for therapy work, it must undergo tests on skills such obeying commands and being around people who use walkers, crutches and wheelchairs. Hundreds of therapy dog organizations operate around the nation.

Most applications ask if the dog has ever bitten and what the circumstances of the bite were. Most do not automatically exclude biters, said Suzanne LaCroix, who has worked with AnimaLink, an organization that runs therapy dog programs.

LaCroix, zoologist at Michigan State University, has trained volunteer dog handlers and medical staff on how to use visiting therapy dogs.

"This is where it gets difficult, because you have to know dogs," she said. "Everyone's dog is one step away from being a biter. That's just their nature. As a trainer you have to do everything you can to have your dog under control."

Sprott had owned Chopper for two months when he bit her as she rode a horse.

Chopper's bite fractured Sprott's middle finger, fractured her thumb in three places, tore through the skin and damaged tendons. Sprott had surgery for repair of the tendons, had three pins inserted into her thumb and spent time in physical therapy.

Maureen Hawkins, office manager at the Carriage House nursing home in Bay County's Monitor Township, said therapy dogs visit residents about once a month. She said none have ever bitten.

Hawkins said hearing about Chopper makes her want to do a background check on all the dogs.

"Aggression is aggression," Hawkins said. "I don't think he should be a therapy dog, especially because of the breed and the size of the dog. To me, that's really scary."

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[dervish]

This is ridiculous. For one thing that type of damage from an "accidental" bite is unlikely even for a rottie. And why take that kind of chance. Stupid owner, stupid agency.