ATSU hosts Canine Good Citizens program
Posted: October 30, 2015
As part of fall Wellness Week (Oct. 26-30) on the ATSU Arizona campus, students and employees put their family dogs to the test of being certified as Canine Good Citizens (CGC). The American Kennel Club’s (AKC) CGC program is recognized as the gold standard for dog behavior. In CGC, dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test for obedience and good manners earn a certificate and/or the official AKC CGC title. The AKC designed the CGC to award dog owners for keeping their dogs and the public safe by well-training their dogs. Not all dogs pass every station in the test on their first try; but they can improve their training and re-test at a later date.
Wayne Cottam, DMD, MS, vice dean, ASDOH, and his dog Nikko, a Patterdale Terrier, passed the 10 test stations with flying colors. The tests include being friendly to strangers and other dogs, sitting and downing quietly, walking on a loose leash, coming when called, and being able to stay calm with a stranger for three minutes while their owner is out of sight. ASDOH dental clinic staff member Sandra Dominguez also aced the test with her seven-year old Doberman, Gesiah.
Beth Poppre, associate vice president, Student Affairs, organized this year’s event. “The University recognizes the importance of work/study-life balance for our students and employees,” said Poppre. “Our pets are a large part of this balance, and having a well-mannered pet balances us at home and out in public.”
Poppre is hoping to offer the CGC test again during spring Wellness Week. More information about the CGC program can be found at http://bit.ly/18qDyIi.
