Every year we hear complaints about the dogs at the Vancouver Farmers Market. If we ban dogs, we should also ban toddlers who fondle food within reach.
Are there a few dogs that aren’t ready for the market? Sure. But the market is a wonderful opportunity to socialize dogs. For years, we have trained our dogs at the market. We have two clean, well-behaved golden retrievers. Both dogs, Jasper and Crunch, are complex rated therapy dogs. Jasper is also a papered, legal service dog. The training and socializing we do at the market is invaluable.
Currently they work at PeaceHealth facilities, at Lifeline Connections (a drug rehab center), psych wards, and they have worked at the juvenile jail for 23 years. They must be bathed within 24 hours of visiting hospitals, plus carefully groomed, and even get their teeth brushed.
In other words, they’re cleaner than a lot of people. Our motto is “spread joy, not germs.”
I urge all marketgoers with dogs to properly train them, use only a 6-foot lead, and to not allow their dog to get in other dogs’ faces without permission. And be very worried about people who dislike dogs. They are missing something wonderful.
