Classes start soon for animal-assisted therapy

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to put a smile on a sick child's face or make a post-stroke patient want to play ball with a dog?

Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy is the place to come for certification so that you and your dog can start to experience the rewards of helping others .

Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, located at 6042 Oakton Morton Grove, is the largest and oldest nonprofit organization of its type in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is a volunteer organization committed to using the capabilities and magic of dogs in therapeutic environments, especially with children.

Rainbow was founded in 1987 with less than a dozen member/handlers. Today, Rainbow services the city of Chicago and the surrounding six-county metropolitan area. Rainbow currently operates over 150 programs, reaching more than 1,000 children per month.

Train your dog to become an Animal Assisted Therapy Partner Your dog should be at least 6 months old, and familiar with basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, come, etc) Course includes instruction in hand signals, and training games tailored to meet the needs of the special kids you will be working with

Class sizes are limited to enable close individual attention. Spring classes are starting.

Register early! Visit our website for information about classes available in your area at www.rainbowaat.org .Call to register for classes at (773) 736-9021.