Quezon City training stray dogs as service animals

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has started training rescued stray dogs as service animals to become salutary members of the community.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the dogs are sheltered and listed as candidates for rehabilitation and adoption to become pets of families, emotional support dogs or even bomb detection canines.

Before training the dogs, Belmonte said veterinarians make sure that the rescued animals undergo comprehensive assessment, health check and temperament test.

“This is to determine if a dog is suitable as a pet or a community service canine,” she said in a statement.

The local government’s veterinary department said up to 57 dogs are being rescued daily in Quezon City, including those who were surrendered by their owners.

Each dog will undergo a three-day observation and a safety assessment for evaluating rehoming test that identifies the dog’s comfort level with restraint and touch, reaction to new experiences including movement and sound stimuli, bite inhibition, behavior around food and toys as well as arousal level toward other animals.

The dogs will also be screened for common diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, transmissible venereal tumor and mange and parasitism.

Belmonte said only healthy dogs would be qualified for rehabilitation and adoption program. – Neil Jayson Servallos