Douglas Ridges Bio
Doug is a Utah native who grew up in Salt Lake, was educated in public schools, and received his undergraduate education at the University of Utah. He has also lived in Washington, D.C. and California during military service and postgraduate education in medicine. He is now retired and has lived in Park City for sixteen years with his wife Mary and their current friend and unconditional lover Misty, a Portuguese water dog.
Mary and Doug are both registered with Misty, through Pet Partners, as therapy teams with Therapy Animals of Utah. They have long wanted to do therapy animal work but their previous dog, a Lab/Dalmatian mix, hackled around other dogs. They were told that prohibited working with him although they suspect that, with Pet Partner's current testing process it would not have been prohibitive, given his loving nature.
Doug and Mary's relatively short time as therapy teams has demonstrated the brightening of patients who are otherwise in a very difficult situation in their lives. Their visits are extremely rewarding to them both and have also strengthened their bond with Misty. They were amazed, going through the training process, at the increased bonding with Misty while taking this journey. Doug says, for those considering therapy work, "Understand that completion of this process and work in the many venues available will greatly enhance your life and the bond with your four-legged friend."
Mary and Doug are both registered with Misty, through Pet Partners, as therapy teams with Therapy Animals of Utah. They have long wanted to do therapy animal work but their previous dog, a Lab/Dalmatian mix, hackled around other dogs. They were told that prohibited working with him although they suspect that, with Pet Partner's current testing process it would not have been prohibitive, given his loving nature.
Doug and Mary's relatively short time as therapy teams has demonstrated the brightening of patients who are otherwise in a very difficult situation in their lives. Their visits are extremely rewarding to them both and have also strengthened their bond with Misty. They were amazed, going through the training process, at the increased bonding with Misty while taking this journey. Doug says, for those considering therapy work, "Understand that completion of this process and work in the many venues available will greatly enhance your life and the bond with your four-legged friend."
