By Daily Press staff
Dog owners are invited to bring their dogs for a free psychological testing this weekend. The tests will determine whether dogs are eligible to become therapy dogs. Well behaved pooches over 12 months of age and of any size, shape or color are invited to put their best paw forward at the “Breeder’s Choice Canine Cheerleaders Pet Therapy Dog Screening and Recruitment Day.” As part of the Breeder’s Choice “Caring for Both Ends of the Leash” first annual program, the event is intended to grow the volunteer base of therapy dog teams available to visit cancer units in healthcare facilities throughout the community.
Pet Partners of Orange County, an affiliate of the Delta Society, a national volunteer-based therapy dog organization, have registered Denver-based pet evaluators on-site to provide review and aptitude testing, one step in the pre-qualifying process of potential future therapy dogs and their owners.
The team evaluators will have local residents and their dogs perform basic obedience and temperament tests. They will then evaluate basic obedience skills, attention span and temperament.
Dogs and handlers recruited through these events will, upon certification, be earmarked to visit breast cancer patients in local hospitals, in addition to other therapy dog needs.
The testing will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Katie’s Pet Depot, 11137 National Blvd. in Los Angeles. For more information, call (800) 255- 4286. The testing is free and participants will receive a free 4.4 pound bag of dog food.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 29, 2003. Read the original PDF.