Elmhurst Memorial seeks new dogs for Animal-Assisted Therapy program

Elmhurst Memorial Hospital is seeking more dogs for its Animal-Assisted Therapy program, which is designed to bring comfort to patients by reducing stress, pain, anxiety and blood pressure, and increasing social interaction and communication.

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 required commands without treats

--Like people

--Not be overly vocal

--Be at least one year of age

--Current on all vaccinations

--Free of skin problems

--No prong collars, gentle leaders, harnesses or retractable leashes

Handlers, who must be 18 and older, and their dogs are encouraged to have completed a group obedience training class within the past year.

Applicants will be contacted in late fall of 2014 to arrange pre-screening.  Dogs that meet qualification requirements will be scheduled for temperament testing on Saturday, November 8.  Dogs and their handlers selected for the program must attend mandatory three-day training, January 9-11, 2015 at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, 155 E. Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst.

To be considered, please visit www.emhc.org/animal-assisted-therapy and complete the online application.  For more information, call Dee Panek at (331) 221-1158.