Edward Hospital’s Animal-Assisted Therapy Recruiting New Dogs

Edward Hospital is seeking more dogs for its 10-year-old animal-assisted therapy program. 

Applications can be found here and should be submitted two weeks before the temperament testing date. Applicants will be contacted for pre-screening. Candidates who meet requirements will be scheduled for temperament testing Sept. 23 at Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington St.

Dogs and their handlers selected for the program must attend mandatory training at Edward on Oct. 5 from 5-9 p.m. and Oct. and Oct. 7 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. There is a $30 fee for temperament testing and a $125 fee for the training sessions. For more information, call Wendy Yellin at (630) 814-7655.

To be considered, dogs must meet the following requirements:

• Sit/down/stay/recall on command
• Walk loosely on a leash without pulling
• Get along well with other dogs
• Perform these commands without treats
• Like people
• Not be overly vocal
• Be at least one year of age
• Current on all vaccinations
• Free of skin problems

It is recommend applicants and their dogs have completed a group obedience class in the past six months. 

Edward’s animal-assisted therapy program began in 2002 and resulted in more than 130,000 patient visits since the beginning of the program.