That’s what happened last Saturday as Elle, an American Pit Bull Terrier owned by Leah Brewer, put another notch in her collar after already becoming a Canine Good Citizen through the American Kennel Club.

The night before her test, Brewer and Elle were playing chase with a ball. “She was running too fast and was too involved with play and cut her leg on the table.”

The injury required four staples and left Brewer wondering what to do. “I was panicking,” she said in an interview today. “I was questioning if this happened for a reason.”

Her vet said she would be fine and Brewer called Vicky Brown, who oversees the Halifax County Canine Good Citizen program.

With clearance from her vet and the person who helped Elle get the Canine Good Citizen title, Brewer went to Durham last Saturday and the dog is now registered as a therapy dog.

Brewer walks Elle during one of the tests.

While there were 10 tests Elle had to pass for her good citizen title, there were five more she had to pass to become a therapy dog.

The dog had to show she could be around medical equipment. She had to pass a leave it test where a piece of grilled chicken is thrown on the ground. The dog had to walk within 3 feet of the meat and not touch it, either by ignoring it or by having her owner give the command to leave it.

The leave it command, Brewer said, is important for having the dog in hospitals or nursing homes where pills are spilled or food is being served. “If someone drops pills or drops food, you don’t want your dog to get it.”

Elle had to show she was not afraid of infirmities, know how to properly greet people and react favorably around children. “The dog has to walk within 10 feet of children without reacting in a negative way.”

While Elle passed, Brewer wanted to make sure her dog wanted to take the test. “The main thing was when she cut her leg, I wanted to make sure Elle was OK. She’s a trooper.”

Elle after the test.

Brewer spent countless hours getting ready for the therapy dog test and she had plenty of help from the community.

Judy Wilson of Lake Country Animal Hospital helped by allowing Elle to run through the kennel area.

Tammy Crowley, of Crowley’s Lifestyle and Fitness, allowed Elle to be around people doing aerobics.

Then there was the silent partner of Manning Elementary School. Last year, Brewer walked Elle down the sidewalk as people were dropping off their children. “Honestly, I got a few looks. I saw parents pull their children closer in.”

She decided to change her route but then began to think of what she and Elle were trying to accomplish. “This year, I started thinking this is what I’m training her for.”

The pair began walking down the sidewalk again and the reactions were different. “We had kids come up to her and love her.”

Brewer’s Radiator, which her husband Eric owns, also helped as Brewer would leave her there. “That helped a lot,” she said.

Brown was a big help and the Canine Good Citizen program the stepping stone to the therapy dog designation. “I just want to thank everyone for their support and believing in us.”

It will be six to eight weeks before Elle receives her official paperwork recognizing her as a therapy dog.

Even before Elle took the test, Hampton Manor in Gaston, Guardian Care in Roanoke Rapids, Liberty Commons in Weldon and the Bayberry in Roanoke Rapids, agreed to have the dog visit their residents. Elle must make four visits per year to keep her certification.

“I’m just so proud of Elle,” Brewer said. “Not only because she passed but she did it with an injury. It shows what can be done if someone takes the time for training and being a responsible owner.”

Elle waiting during a test.