The California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) and the UC Davis Veterinary Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Club in conjunction with the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden will be hosting a demonstration between 4 and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24.

During this time, dogs will be searching for “missing persons.” Some of the search dogs will be off lead in order to perform their jobs. CARDA dogs are highly-trained, friendly working dogs. They will all be easily identifiable by a working vest, bell, and light.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

During this evening event, if you are walking through the search area, you may have a dog mistake you for our hidden person. If this happens, the dog will run up to you and then return to its handler to alert, and bring its handler back to find you. The dogs our friendly, but if you don’t enjoy canine attention, please avoid the west side of the Arboretum during the above-referenced hours.

While our dogs are trained to ignore other dogs in their search areas, there is a chance that they will interact with your dog. We would highly encourage individuals to walk their dogs in another area for this evening, especially if your dog is uncomfortable with unfamiliar dogs.

Please obey the leash law for the safety of these working dogs so that they may continue to provide this valuable service to our community.