Nine TOP Dogs pass their evaluation!
Local dogs get the opportunity to become a part of the TOP Dogs team.
Eleven therapy dogs in training from across the West Rand attended the TOP Dogs Evaluation event on June 25.
Corrie Niemann from TOP Dogs introduced the volunteers to the crowd and explained what the purpose of the day is.
“We need more volunteers, handlers, in our community. We want everyone to pass, so we brought in Charmaine du Toit, an independent animal behaviourist to assess each dog. She will determine if being a therapy dog is something your dog wants to do,” explained Corrie.
The tests start with a simple greeting, an ear scratch, and then a brush from one of the TOP Dogs handlers. Thereafter they perform a leashed walk, sit and stay, and a recall. These tests are there to show your dog is okay with a friendly stranger approaching and interacting with them, as well as their obedience. The following tests consist of getting your dog excited and full of energy and then calming them down at command at close proximity with other dogs and strangers in crowds, and then checking their reaction to loud and unexpected noises like umbrellas opening, clanking of utensils, and other random noises.
Finally, they are brought to someone sitting in a wheelchair offering them a treat. They need to take the treat politely while another pet sits on the opposite side of the chair. Both dogs need to remain calm during the interaction. After completing a test where the dogs are in confined spaces, in case they do hospital or frail care visits, each handler and their dog get to have a one-on-one chat with Charmaine about their dog’s behaviour and whether or not they passed the various tests.
Nine out of 11 dogs made it through the test. Just because your dog failed the test, does not mean that the dog isn’t therapy dog material, sometimes with a bit of additional training and socialisation, the dog can redo the test and pass. This is something owners are encouraged to chat about with Charmaine and the rest of the TOP Dogs volunteers.
TOP Dogs will host their next evaluation in the East Rand, but if you want to learn more about the non-profit or meet some of the TOP Dogs, the West Rand team will be raising awareness on Saturday, July 1, 8 and 15 from 11:00 to 12:00 at Clearwater Mall.
