Dog Therapy Training

Does your dog sit patiently while young children tug its ears, pull its tail, and poke its head? Then perhaps you have a therapy dog in the making. Starting Sunday, December 2, the nonprofit organization All for Animals is offering a five-week training course for you and your pooch to become a registered therapy team that will work with children, the elderly, and the disabled. The courses, taught by professional canine trainer Andrea Bratt, cultivate skills such as accepting a friendly stranger, coming when called, and sitting on command/staying in place. The course also strengthens the bond between human and animal and can bring out the best in each. Registration required; space is limited. For more info, call (805) 682-3160 or visit allforanimals.com.