When Brandon Meyer was being treated for leukemia at Children's Hospital, he looked forward to visits from therapy dogs, especially a Labradoodle named Elmo. He vowed he would beat his cancer, get a big dog, train it and get it certified as a therapy dog.

He has done all of those things.

Brandon was a 16-year-old junior at Chartiers Valley High School when he was diagnosed in 2005. He's now 21 and getting ready to head back to Penn State for his senior year.

He completed his chemotherapy and radiation therapy last May. Shortly after that he and his dog passed the certification test from Therapy Dogs International.

The dog's name is Chemo.

Chemo makes heads turn wherever he goes. His color is brown and black brindle and his breed is Great Dane. He weighs 110 pounds. When all four paws are on the ground he's taller than most ponies.

When Chemo stands erect on his two back legs, he's more than 6 feet tall, Brandon notes. Not that you're likely to see Chemo do that. He's quiet, calm and laid-back. He's also well-behaved, after more than a year of weekly classes at the Western Pennsylvania Kennel Association, Inc. training center in Crafton.

He was a floppy-eared, big-footed, 7-week-old puppy when he entered the family's Scott home in November 2007. When he was 4 months old he started puppy kindergarten classes. He was the only puppy enrolled, so instructor Carol Culp of Esplen brought her white standard poodle, Jack, to class.

Jack's role was to help Chemo learn how to get along with and behave around other dogs because multiple therapy dogs are often on site at hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

Chemo progressed through a series of classes, learning basic commands including sit, down, stay and come. He learned how to "heel" -- walking nicely on the left side of his handler, both on leash and off.

Therapy dogs must react nicely to everyone they meet. They can not be aggressive or fearful. They can't be too friendly, either, because jumping up on people would earn a failing grade on the certification test.

Therapy dogs must learn to be comfortable around people using canes, crutches, wheelchairs and other medical equipment.

"We seldom missed a weekly class," said Marilee Meyer, Brandon's mother. When Brendan was away at college, his mother or another family member -- sisters Brittany, 19, or Breanna, 16, or Robert, his father -- would take Chemo to class.

"Chemo has really been a very nice family project," Ms. Culp said.

Of course, Chemo is more than a therapy dog. He's also a much-loved family pet. The family brings out a thick album with photo documentation of Chemo's life.

The album includes another dog. It's a business card, actually, with the picture of a curly-haired dog, and this message: "I visited you today. Wags and Kisses from your pet friend, Elmo."

Chemo's collar and leashes are a bit different that what you'll see on most dogs. They are yellow with the "Live Strong" logo of cancer-survivor and world champion cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Chemo has already made one therapy dog visit to Montefiore Hospital in Oakland, but Brandon's goal is to take Chemo to Children's. That hospital requires another round of testing and approvals by staff before a certified therapy dog is allowed to visit. Ms. Culp doesn't expect that to be a problem.

"I would highly recommend these classes, especially Carol Culp," Mrs. Meyer said. "She really has her heart in this."

Ironically, Brandon and Chemo finished training just about the time the WPKA board decided to shut down the facility due to rising costs and declining enrollment.

"I think the economy has been a factor," said president Nance W. Shields. "But then we decided to give it one more year. We feel these classes are a wonderful opportunity for the community."

Dogs don't have to be show dogs or even purebreds to attend.

Classes include basic obedience, agility and instruction on earning a Canine Good Citizen degree from the Amerian Kennel Club. Fees start at $55 for a four week puppy course.

The number to call for further information is 412-920-1332. Club members are working on updating the www.wpka-inc.org Web site to provide more specific information about dates and times of daytime and evening classes.