Have you considered volunteerism in animal-assisted therapy for you and/or your pet? Pet Partners is a national organization that trains and registers animal and handler teams for visitation programs in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other facilities. Animal-assisted activities and therapies are proven to provide tremendous physical, social, and emotional benefits to recipients.
Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program is an exceptional option for volunteer teams. You can pick when, where, and how often you volunteer. While dogs consist of the vast majority of therapy animals, Pet Partners registers nine different species of animals for therapy work. Animal welfare and enjoyment is a cornerstone of the program. Therapy visits are designed to be safe and enjoyable for everyone.
The program registration process ensures that you and your animal are suitable and prepared for therapy work. It includes a handler’s course, animal health verification, and team uation. The handler’s course acquaints individuals with considerations and responsibilities they will encounter at various therapy facilities. Health screening verification is signed off by a veterinarian and ensures that therapy animals meet high standards associated with grooming and regular veterinary care. Once the handler’s course is complete, a Pet Partners licensed uator will conduct a mock therapy visit. A standard new team registration is $95. Click here for more information about the Pet Partners registration process.