What is Bark Avenue?
Bark Avenue on Parade, Inc., is an independent, non-profit, all volunteer
organization, operating in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of Minnesota. We
are dedicated to conducting pet-assisted therapy; the sensory and social
interaction of friendly, trained dog/handler teams with people who may be
isolated due to age, illness or disability. Bark Avenue's regular visit
schedule includes four monthly visits at three area hospitals.
Bark Avenue presents additional programs at Twin Cities hospitals, nursing
homes and senior residences. Other programs for education or entertainment
have been presented at scout meetings, community festivals, schools,
churches, family reunions, and other special events.
Bark Avenue members also meet for socialization of dogs and continuing
education for both handlers and dogs. These meetings are necessary to insure
the dogs establish and maintain membership in the Bark Avenue "pack".
Can my dog and I join Bark Avenue on Parade?
Both dogs and humans need some basic skills to become members of Bark Avenue.
Commitment to the organization is essential. Bark Avenue works in groups, so
extra effort from all members is required to present quality service to the
people we visit. Dog handlers need to demonstrate responsibility for human
safety issues as well as canine pack dynamics. Above all, members of Bark
Avenue are expected to respect other group members, both human and canine,
and those individuals we visit.
Many Bark Avenue dogs have obedience training, but others come from diverse
backgrounds. Some members' dogs gained extensive public experience as a
result of being handled frequently by groomers and judges. Others
successfully experienced many different types of people and places as well
adjusted pets. They may not have received formal obedience training, but
their handlers developed a working relationship with them.
This relationship is significant; mutual awareness and responsiveness is
expected between handlers and their dogs. Both also need awareness of, and
responsiveness to, the environment. Dog control is a condition of
membership.
New members have six months after joining Bark Avenue to register their dogs
with a national therapy dog organization; no other special titles or
achievements are required. Dogs who perform obedience skills and tricks have
opportunities to demonstrate these at events, however, our main purpose is to
safely share our four footed friends with others.
Applicants are guided through a process which serves two purposes: 1.) to
evaluate and train dog/handler teams, and 2.) to give applicants an
opportunity to confirm their wish to make a commitment to the activities of
the organization. If you would like more details about joining Bark Avenue
on Parade, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the attached
information form and return it to us at;
Bark Avenue on Parade, Inc.
P.O. Box 24071
Minneapolis, MN 55424
Someone from our membership committee will contact you by telephone to begin
work on your membership.
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To see Bouviers doing Therapy work go to my personal site, Bouvweb
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