TOP Dogs welcome new recruits
This procedure is essential for making sure that your dog doesn't experience any discomfort, anxiety, or fear during the therapy dog visits.
Dog owners from across the West Rand were able to come to an evaluation event held by TOP Dogs on Sunday, April 23. Here their pets were tested to see if they had the mannerism, demeanor, and discipline to become part of the TOP Dogs therapy dog team.
Also read: Here’s how to become a part of the TOP Dog therapy dog team
From Beagles to Labradors, these dogs were ready to pass each test put in front of them. They were graded on their reactions to friendly strangers, being given commands, eating treats, and various noisy distractions in their path. Needless to say, they did very well! This process is key to ensuring that your dog does not feel uncomfortable, anxious, or afraid during the therapy dog visits – to help make sure the dogs are doing well, animal behaviourist Charmaine du Toit evaluated the dogs by looking at their body language for any telltale signs of discomfort or fear.
Also read: Therapy dogs help children face their fears
“The dogs often need to walk through tight spaces and will interact with many elderly, wounded, or scared individuals – so we want to ensure that the dogs are fine with any type of positive interaction before we take them to a visit,” explained Corrie Niemann.
The TOP Dogs team is eager to welcome any new handlers and their dogs to their evaluations – there is always a need for more volunteers! To find out more about the evaluation process and what these pups do, visit their website at https://www.therapytopdogs.co.za/.
