Above / For more than a decade, PN has been promoting animal-assisted therapy programs at Edward Hospital. Sign ups for 2025 pre-screening are now in progress. (PN File Photo)
Endeavor Health is seeking additional dogs for its Animal-Assisted Therapy program at Edward Hospital and Elmhurst Hospital. To be considered, visit www.eehealth.org and complete the online application. Applicants will be contacted for pre-screening.
Individuals who meet qualification requirements will be scheduled for temperament testing on one of the following days— Fri., May 23, or Sat., May 24 —within a two-hour time slot at Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington Street.
Dogs and their handlers selected for the program must attend mandatory training at Edward Hospital from 8AM to 5PM on both Sat., June 28, and Sun., June 29.
To be considered, dogs must meet the following requirements:
- Sit/down/stay/recall/leave it 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 at time of testing
- Lived with you for at least six months at time of testing
- Current on all vaccinations
- Prong collars, gentle leaders and retractable leashes are not accepted
- Handlers must be 18 years of age or older.
Handlers and their dogs are encouraged to have completed a group obedience training class within the past year.
For more information about the 2025 program and how the dog therapy visits got started in 2002, call Cynthia Brooks at (630) 527-5305 or email cynthia.brooks@eehealth.org.
Note also the program has provided more than 260,000 patient visits since the program began. Thanks to all the dedicated dog owners!
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