City of Fort Bragg Residents
Dog Licenses
available at MCHS

Sunshine Teams are trained Handlers and their companion Therapy Dogs with the mission to bring the benefits of animal companionship to a wide range of populations within our community. The Sunshine Teams visit Mendocino Cost District Hospital, rehabilitation and hospice facilities, schools, senior centers, etc. They allow people and patients to pet and talk to the dogs and tell about their own pets, past and present.
Benefits
Sunshine Teams bring comfort, confidence and companionship to the sick and hospitalized. Visiting dogs help people feel less lonely and less depressed. They are more active and less stressed after a visit with a dog.
Sunshine Teams’ Certification
Sunshine Teams participate in the following before receiving their Certification.

• Complete Sunshine Team Application
• Sign Sunshine Team Agreement
• Attend a Sunshine Teams Orientation
• AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test or equivalent
  Contact Julie E Apostolu   962-0297 or CGC Classes & Tests
• Therapy Dog must pass MCHS Temperament Test
• Facility Orientation
• Shadows an experienced Sunshine Team on a Facility visit
• An experienced Handler goes with the Sunshine on their first Facilty visit

Sunshine Teams’ Coordinators
       Craig Walter 964-4870  or  Lindsay Wansbury 964-8328
Sunshine Teams’ Therapy Dog Evaluator
       Alberta Cottrell, MCHS 964-7729 or 937-5015

To be a Therapy Dog Volunteer

• Friendly with other people and their pets?
• Enjoy interacting with people of all ages?
• Desire to interact with children and adults?
• Comfortable with people who may be in poor health or need special assistance.
• Comfortable in a nursing home or medical setting?
• Have the time and energy to volunteer on a regular basis?
• Have the time to continually train and update your dog’s skill level?
• Able to maintain your dog’s appearance as required for all therapy visits?
• Willing to keep your dog's vet records and shots up-to-date?

To be a Therapy Dog

• Friendly and accepting of strangers?
• Get along with dogs of all sizes and breeds?
• Calm, able to sit on command and stay for a long period of time?
• Comfortable around adults and children?
• Walk calmly through a crowd?
• Able to stay focused even with distractions?
• Enjoy being groomed or pet by a stranger?
• Confident and carefree?
• Relaxed even with loud, disruptive noises?
• Have good manners even when you’re not in the room?
• Comfortable in a new or changing environment?

• Complete Sunshine Team Application & MCHS Volunteer Forms
• Participate in Sunshine Team Orientation
• Provide proof of Rabies vaccination, AKC CGC Test
• Pass the Sunshine Team Temperament Test
• Participate in Facility Orientation Orientation
• TB Test & Background Check (Hospital only)
• Shadows an experienced Sunshine Team on a Facility visit
• An experienced Handler goes with the Sunshine on their first Facility visit
• Receive Certification and Sunshine Team ID card
• Those certified for Hospital also receive a Sunshine Team Badge
• Coordinate all visits with Sunshine Team Coordinator

Sunshine Team Temperament Test

• Ensures that the Therapy dog is able to remain calm in difficult, distractive and stressful situations and work in a group with other dogs.
• Therapy dog is exposed to a variety of distractions that they would find in the hospital setting. These include a wheelchair, walker, wheelchair alarm, medical equipment, multiple children and other dogs.
• Temperament Test to be performed by Alberta Cottrell, MCHS Dog Trainer

• Every Therapy Dog must be healthy and clean
• Free of fleas and ticks
• Current on Rabies vaccinations
• All face, neck and chest areas washed within 24 hours (not wiped).
• Feet washed with 24 hours (not wiped).
• Wiped down and brushed the day of visit

• Every Handler must be able to control their dog in all circumstances
• Therapy Dogs must be 6 months old
• Handlers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult capable of handling the Therapy Dog
• No pinch collars or head halters allowed
• Dogs must be on leash at all times

• Handlers are responsible for their own medical insurance, medical costs and veterinary costs.
• Handlers should contact Albera Cottrell regarding insurance questions.
• Handlers are also responsible for all testing costs (except TB) and scarves.

PetMeds

Mendocino Coast Humane Society
707-964-SPAY