They're spreading a lot of lovin' - canine style
Only the pets with the proper temperament are admitted to the BC Pets and Friends program, a non-profit organization that provides companion animal visits to care facilities. Sun photographer Peter Battistoni followed the dogs on their way to approval.

Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, December 26, 2005

A few months ago The Sun brought you a photo feature on the wonderful work done by BC Pets and Friends, a non-profit organization that provides companion animal visits to over 200 care facilities throughout the Lower Mainland. Now we show you how the animals are selected and screened.

The actual visits are the culmination of hours and hours of work.

Volunteers and their animals, usually dogs, but also cats and birds are carefully screened for suitability by experts checking temperament and reactions. Pets are patted, poked and pinched, wheelchairs are rolled, canes waved and pots banged.

Screeners even put their hands into mouths of dogs in a brave test of tolerance or lurch towards animals to see if a dog will protect its owner. This all mimics potential situations they might encounter at a facility.

If the animal is accepted into the program owners are given an orientation class and the successful volunteers are then available to make regularly scheduled visits to hospitals and care facilities where they provide companionship, love and comfort to residents.

To donate or to volunteer you and your pet call 604-523-1557 or go to:

www.petsandfriends.org
© The Vancouver Sun 2005