DOGGY DOCTORS—Hanna Shevin, left, and Dylan Travers display their certificates after finishing training through Therapy Dogs International. The teens worked for several months to prepare their dogs to work inside therapeutic settings such as hospitals, convalescent homes, assisted living facilities, hospice care factilities, nursing homes, schools, shelters and disaster sites. Hanna and Dylan are part of the homeschool program that meets on the campus of A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas. Las Virgenes Academy home-schoolers Dylan Travers and Hanna Shevin recently completed therapy dog training through Therapy Dogs International.

Dylan and Hanna worked with their dogs for several months before testing with the organization.

The training included basic obedience, socialization in public places and desensitization to sounds, smells and sights that they might encounter in a therapeutic setting.

Training Dogs International requires confidence and control by dog handlers. It regulates, tests and qualifies dogs and handlers so they can visit any facility where therapy dogs are needed.

The American Kennel Club also awarded both dogs with Good Citizenship Awards.

Dylan decided to train his personal pet to assist him with his own panic disorder challenge. His dog helped him overcome anxiety and panic.

Dylan also realized that he and his dog had become a team that could provide therapy to others.

After his training, Dylan became interested in pursuing psychology to help others. He's taking a psychology course at Moorpark College.

Dylan and Hanna expect to participate in the "Paws 4 Reading" program at Westlake Village city library. The program provides children with the opportunity to build their reading skills. Youngsters read to dogs to build their own confidence and self-esteem.

Therapy dogs are trained to visit hospitals, convalescent homes, assisted living facilities, hospice care facilities, nursing homes, schools, shelters and disaster sites.

Both students are enrolled in a home school program of Las Virgenes Academy on the campus of A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas. Dylan is a ninth-grader, and Hanna is a seventh-grader.

The academy offers home school options for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

For more information on the academy, call Resa Brown at (818) 880-1339.