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.

April 28, 2023

Nicola Jansen van Vuuren 1 minute read

Joe is greeted by Prof Andreas Lemmerer, TOP Dogs Chairperson.

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.

Corrie Niemann played host during the evaluation and gave out instructions to the handlers.

Owen Hlungwani greets Paco during the first round of evaluations.

Joe the Beagle and his handler Dumisa Kuzwayo.

Helene du Plessis with her dog, Misty, being brushed by Cheryl Williams.

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.

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Cheryl Williams is testing Misty’s demeanor when receiving treats from strangers as well as Paco’s reaction to other dogs receiving treats in his presence. With them are their handlers, Maria Branco and Helene du Plessis.

Maria Branco and her labrador, Paco, during their evaluation. Here Paco has to stay at the yellow cone and then wait there until his owner releases him.

“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/.

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