Monday, March 28, 2011

Therapy dogs bring cheer to patients

photohttp://therapytails.ca/images/20100207-DSCF803807February%2007%2C%202010.jpgBy Jeremy Warren, The StarPhoenix March 28, 2011

"Like any health-care professional, the therapy dogs that stroll through the hallways of hospitals and care homes, being petted and pampered at every stop they make, need training.

Not just any dog is allowed to amble up to a patient at a hospital. The dogs have to have the right personality and the right temperament.

"The dogs have to be well-mannered, happy to meet people and always be under control," said Dayna Dreger, a provincial therapy dog evaluator with St. John Ambulance, a national volunteer agency.

"Just generally we have to know that they're not scared of new people and new situations."

On Sunday, St. John Ambulance hosted a therapy dog certification session in Saskatoon. Four dogs and their owners were on hand to see if they could pass the test..."http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/Therapy+dogs+bring+cheer+patients/4513227/story.html

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