Therapy Dog Guidelines for Beeping Easter Egg Hunt:

1.  Dogs must be on leash and under control at all times.

2.  Handlers must be wearing your Therapy Dog ID badge and show at registration before entering.

3.  Bring water, poop bags. Please clean up after your dog.

4.  If possible, allow dogs arriving at same time to socialize in the parking lot before proceeding to your station.

5.  Again, if possible, keep therapy dogs separate from guide dogs. The therapy dogs should not distract the guide dogs by trying to engage them.

6.  Keep dogs away from food areas.

7.  Even though you have a designated time, if your dog becomes over-stimulated (e.g. barking, pacing, whimpering, or other showing signs of stress, etc.), please leave.

8.  There will be an area for the therapy dogs to interact with the children. One or more therapy dogs can be at this place while those dogs more tolerant of moving through crowds can circulate. Please stay away from the 4-H rabbits. There will be horses attending as well (Mounted Police). If you are unsure about how your therapy dog reacts around horses, please avoid them.

9.  Please be aware that this venue may be challenging for some therapy dogs. Consider carefully the following distractions or events to which your dog will be exposed. Also, consider your dog’s level of experience and exposure to these activities. While it is sometimes difficult to predict a dog’s reaction, if you see any of these as a potential problem, please do not bring your dog. Our first priority is safety for the children and parents attending.

·  beeping eggs

·  people throwing bean bags

·  clowns (with balloons or other visual and auditory stimuli)

·  people in uniform (firefighters, police, medical personnel)

·  a roaming “Easter Bunny” costumed person

·  a moving parachute

·  guide dogs

·  white canes

·  rabbits

·  balloons

·  wheelchairs

·  percussion instruments , keyboard, guitar

·  people walking or sitting with food

·  carnival-like atmosphere noise, movement

·  Emergency equipment: fire trucks, ambulance, police vehicles (possibly a helicopter!!)

·  a variety of special needs children, as well as sighted peers (all ages)