Ann & Gus

This is Gus's Graduation photo. He has just completed training and passed a final exam for Certified Therapy Dog with Delta Society. He is qualified to visit hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and schools. He has to be secure with people with disabilities and equipment, and obey commands. Sit, Heel, Lay Down, Stay, Come, and allow others to comb, pet, and otherwise attend to him.

This Golden Retriever is a "good guy" and a very friendly neighbor.

ps: Later, Ann told me that the final exam was a real "stress test". People in hospital gowns were role playing a nursing home scene. Gus had to approach a lady who was banging her walker on the floor and ask to be petted. Same with two ladies that were arguing. He had to calmly walk a maze of walkers and wheelchairs. He had to show that he would ignore the presence of another dog. He had to Sit-Stay while Ann walked away and Come on command past people that were on both sides. He had to calmly ignore Bang from a book that was dropped on the floor. He passed with flying colors.