OCTA will welcome service and therapy animals and their handlers aboard OC Bus on Saturday, Oct. 3, for a unique training opportunity designed to prepare animals for real-world public transit experiences.
Held twice a year, OCTA’s Service Animal Training Day gives trainers the opportunity to practice with their animals on board OC Bus, helping them become comfortable with the sights, sounds and movements they may encounter while assisting individuals with disabilities.
Participants can board designated OC Buses for free and practice essential skills such as boarding, riding and exiting along a designated training route. Buses will operate continuously, allowing handlers and animals to ride multiple times and build confidence in a transit environment.
The event is open to service animal and therapy animal trainers, program alumni, and their friends and families.
By providing hands-on training in an actual transit setting, OCTA helps service animals and their handlers prepare for future trips while reinforcing the agency’s commitment to making public transportation accessible and welcoming for all riders.