Elmhurst Memorial Needs More Dogs—Stat!

Elmhurst Memorial Hospital is seeking more dogs for its animal-assisted therapy program, which recently celebrated its first anniversary.

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
• Prong collars, gentle leaders, harnesses and retractable leashes are not acceptable

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

Those who meet qualification requirements will be scheduled for temperament testing on Saturday, Sept. 21, within two-hour time slots between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Edward Sleep Center, 27555 Diehl Road in Warrenville.

Dogs and their handlers selected for the program must attend mandatory training at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, 155 E. Brush Hill Road from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27.

To be considered, please visit www.emhc.org/animal-assisted-therapy and complete the online application. Applicants will be contacted for pre-screening; walk-ins cannot be accommodated. For more information, call Dee Panek at (331) 221-1158.