When Clarence Alexander started the Indianapolis Obedience Training Club in 1938, he was answering a crying need in Indianapolis for formal obedience classes for dogs. Dog owners flocked to the classes to work with their dogs in order to compete for titles and for the show ring. Then, the group shifted its focus to train dogs for the war effort in 1942, and owners obedience trained their dogs and then turned them over to the Department of the Army for further military training. Dogs of all sizes and breeds participated in the Dogs for Defense program — photos of the time show Airedales, Dobermans, and Shepherds. After the war, the club resumed training pets and show dogs, and the club’s reputation for hard work, devoted trainers, and happy pups continued to grow. The Indianapolis Obedience Training Club sponsored the first dog show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in 1944, and joined with the AKC in 1946, making it the third oldest AKC Training Club in the United States.
Now, 75 years later, the IOTC is enjoying two important milestones — their Diamond Jubilee, and the 25th year of providing Pet Therapy Services at Community Hospital East.
Greg Henkel is the 2nd Vice President of the Club and has been a member of the club for 43 years, volunteering at classes and at Pet Therapy at Community Hospital East with his wife Judy and their Bichon Frise dogs. They are among many volunteers who care deeply for dogs, and work with owners to bring out the best in their pet. “We have people here from all walks of life,” he said. “Attorneys, service workers, health care workers . . .people who just want to get their dog to behave.” The dogs in the classes are varied as well. “We’ve got purebreds, ‘designer dogs,’ mixed breeds of all kinds.” Over the years, Henkel estimates that the club has trained about 16,500 dogs in classes, averaging about 200 doggie obedience graduates a year. The six week courses for beginners take owner and dog through their paces — Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, Come, Stand — and provide individual attention for dogs and owners. They also offer Conformation classes for people showing their dogs in AKC Conformation events. Once graduated, owners can continue on through advanced obedience work for the price of annual membership. Trainers are experienced professionals who volunteer at IOTC. In fact, the non-profit club is staffed only with volunteers.
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Mary Ann Olvey and Bob Pyritz and Pet Therapy Dog Holly. They have been volunteering for IOTC for over 40 years, and for Pet Therapy at Community East for 25 years.
Twenty-five years ago, a member thought it would be a good idea to take training a step further and help people in need. The Pet Therapy Program was born in 1988, and Mary Ann Olvey, Director of Training at the club, has kept the program on track since. Since its inception, they have never missed a week of Pet Therapy. She also screens suitable candidates for Pet Therapy, and encourages special training for their very special job.
Pet Therapy dogs must continue their training, and the handler must complete volunteer training at Community Hospital East, pass a health check and an FBI check before being issued their official Pet Therapy shirt and badge. The process can take over six months, but the rewards of helping people in need make it worthwhile.
On Thursdays, about 10-12 dogs and their owners visit patients who want a pet visit. The dogs are specially trained to not jump, bark, “kiss,” or take food from patients — they are there to provide unconditional love and support as only a dog can. “Everyone who is in the program has seen some amazing things — nonverbal patients who speak to the dog, non-responsive people reacting in a positive way to a dog. It’s very rewarding.” For a time, a macaw bird and a few cats have also been therapy animals with the group. “We’ve had people ask for cats for Pet Therapy, but they do have to be trained. It takes a special kind of cat to do this work.”
Patients and their families aren’t the only ones who get the benefits of Pet Therapy, Henkel said. “We have doctors and nurses that look forward to seeing the dogs. Their jobs are very stressful and the dogs help them, too.” In all, over the years, IOTC has donated 62,500 volunteer hours to the hospital. To celebrate the accomplishment, Community Hospital East will be showing pictures of the volunteers and dogs in the slideshows throughout the hospital.
“We’ve been around a long time, because we all love dogs, and want what’s best for them. A well-trained dog is a joy to be around and is a great member of the family,” said Henkel.
To reach the club, visit www.iotc.info, find them on Facebook, or call 359-2030. The club training facility is located at 3412 N. Shadeland next to the Shadeland Shoppes.
