Sacramento Children's Museum to Host Seventh Annual 'Dogs with Jobs' Event

Meghan Toland, the deputy director at the Children’s Museum, explained that the event’s main objective is to encourage interaction between attendees and the dogs. "All of the dogs are available for you to meet and pet and ask questions to their handlers," Toland said. There will also be dog-related crafts for children and several outdoor activities.

Toland's love for dogs inspired the creation of this event, aimed at showcasing the remarkable roles dogs play. "We had this idea several years ago for an event, and reached out to some of the local organizations and were welcomed with open arms," she noted, expressing gratitude for the partnerships formed to highlight the work of these animals.

Canine Companions, one of the collaborating organizations, has provided nearly 9,000 trained service dogs across the United States. Jody Groves, a volunteer and puppy raiser, explained the diverse needs that these service dogs meet, assisting individuals with mobility challenges, hearing disabilities, and veterans with PTSD. Canine Companions will bring six to ten dogs to the event, helping to train the dogs in a busy environment, or as Groves put it, to make them "bomb proof" against distractions.

Another participant, Capital Therapy Dogs, trains and registers dogs for emotional support roles in various settings. Barbara Street, the organization's secretary, described their programs, including the "Read to a Dog" initiative, which helps children practice reading aloud in a comfortable environment. They have been part of the "Dogs with Jobs" event for six years and will showcase 14 dogs this year.

Street highlighted the joy seen in children’s reactions as they meet the dogs, noting the excitement of interacting with different breeds. The event is free, though registration is encouraged to gauge attendance. However, registration does not cover museum admission.