To boldly go where few dogs have gone before

 Worf is a St. Bernard with a mission. He is a certified Canine Good Citizen, and he travels all over the state to assist people in educational and therapy situations. Islander Pat Sumner saw Worf's potential as a specialist in pet-assisted therapy soon after she adopted him. Worf was not even a year old when he was given up unwanted to Delmyra Kennels in Exeter. Two days before 9/11, Sumner rescued him from a worse fate. Recognizing his good temperament, she enrolled him in the pet therapy program at the Community College of Rhode Island. Together, owner and dog went through the program, which included the opportunity to visit hospitals where Worf could become accustomed to strange equipment and a variety of people. "A good temperament is the ability to be quiet. A pet therapy dog needs to have a good deal of patience," Sumner explains. Worf has spent many days with Sumner at her travel booking office, where the telephones ring and people come and go throughout the day. "A big part is socializing. He comes with me every day," she says. Pet-assisted therapy is a new evolving field, with no rules or regulations for the most part, according  [Read the Rest of this Story]

 

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