FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Buses Going to the Dogs … for Training

This free event helps service animals and trainers learn to navigate public transit

ORANGE – Come fetch a bus ride and bring Fido along, too.

Service and therapy animals in training are invited to join their handlers in making bus rides a familiar and relaxed experience during Orange County Transportation Authority’s Service Animal Training Day on Saturday, April 11.

Service dogs will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with large crowds, loud noises and unfamiliar sights and sounds while boarding, riding and exiting an OCTA bus to the Downtown Disney District and the Anaheim Garden Walk. Roundtrip training buses, not in service to the public, will depart every 20 minutes from the ARTIC station in Anaheim.

To date, more than 1,000 dogs have gone through OCTA’s training to get accustomed to navigating the public bus system. OCTA has coordinated the training for more than 20 years and it is currently held every April and October, with a new location this year. The event has attracted about 200 trainers and 150 service animals each time.

The training buses will be available at no cost from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ARTIC, 2626 E. Katella Ave., with check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to ride the buses multiples times and are welcome to ride a Metrolink train for the standard fee.

Upon checking out, interested trainers can apply for the OCTA Bus Mobility Trainer card to continue exposing their service animals to the sights, sounds and smells of public transportation. The $4 photo ID allows trainers and their dogs to ride OCTA’s fixed-route system free of charge while in training.

For more information, visit www.octa.net/animal.

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