Want Your Pooch To Become A Therapy Dog? Here's How

When you meet little Daisy Mae and pat her head, she gazes adoringly, but doesn't jump up on you. The King Charles Cavalier spaniel might lick your hand, or face, affectionately, but she doesn't overdo it.

That calm demeanor, and lots of training, are what qualify her to be a therapy dog with Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, based in Morton Grove.

Therapy dogs and their owners bring comfort and moments of happiness to sick patients in hospitals, handicapped children in schools and even kids struggling to read during library visits.

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"It's based totally on temperament," said Susan Burrows, program coordinator for Rainbow.

"The dog must be able to be touched and petted, respond to people, be 'people-proof,' and be calm enough to go into all kinds of situations. They have to be gentle, and responsive to their handlers."

If that describes your dog, and you want to help others with animal therapy, Burrows recommends you take the Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy class. Your dog must be at least six months old and be able to follow basic commands such as "sit" and "stay." The next class starts Oct. 2 at Rainbow's location in Morton Grove.

After six hours of classes, Rainbow workers perform six hours of observation, mainly looking at the dog's temperament and obedience. They may look to see if the dog is comfortable around medical equipment, for example, to determine whether he or she can serve in a hospital setting.

Or, they may see if the dog would be suitable for working with children in an after-school program.

"It's a very careful process," Burrows said.

Rainbow welcomes volunteers who have full-time jobs and schedules both classes and volunteer opportunities on weekends and weekday evenings.

For example, therapy dogs can participate with young school-age children in the "Read to Rover" programs Monday evenings at the Niles Library.

Rainbow also works with an autism program that meets weekends at the