AAI Training at OHS

Kendall and I spent all day last Saturday at the Oregon Humane Society going through AAI (Animal Assisted Interactions) Pet Partner Team training. It was a 9 hour class. This was the first step that we had to take on our way to becoming a human/canine team that can go into nursing homes, hospitals, and libraries to interact with people. It's often referred to as pet therapy, but technically it's really referred to as AAI or AAA (animal assisted activities) unless there are documented goals set for your team and your client. OHS is an affiliate of the Delta Society.

Kendall was an angel all day. From the time we put on her vest to the time we got off Max after our field trip to the airport, she behaved perfectly. To my surprise, she has a 1 minute sit/stay in her. I didn't even know she could do it. With dogs all around and people walking all around her, she was solid. We did find a few things we need to work on before her test in February. Just how do you teach a dog that loooooooves people not to give kisses?


She waited patiently on her blanket while the instructor talked. There was plenty of time when the dogs were up practicing.
That's Kaya on the left. She is the most well-behaved Jack Russel Terrier I have ever met.
Here's Kendall in her AAI vest. She seemed to know that it was time to do stuff and not play around.
The end of the class involved a field trip to the baggage claim area of the Portland Airport. We rode Max and then went through the revolving doors. We walked all around, met lots of people, and did some practicing. A lot of it was to test out the dogs to see how comfortable they would be in places they don't usually get to go such as the elevator or revolving door. She did great! All that socializing we did as a puppy seems to be paying off. She's a real confident dog, which I think really helps.


It was a really long day for both of us, and this picture tells it all!