PETS WITH PURPOSE

Therapy Dog Training Prep Class

This three-week program is designed to help you and your dog prepare for the Delta Society Pet Partner evaluation. You and your dog will be introduced to the basics of the evaluation and will have a chance to practice key behaviors and skills (such as reaction to distractions and petting by multiple people) necessary for successful completion of the evaluation. The Therapy Dog Training Prep Class is NOT required as part of your preparation to be evaluated for the Delta Society Pet Partner program. We are offering it simply to improve your understanding of evaluation requirements and provide you with a forum for becoming excellent pet therapy volunteers.

Please note that prior to being able to participate in the Pet Partner evaluation you must have completed the Delta Society Pet Partner Team Training Course. This is a course for people (not dogs) about animal-assisted therapy and volunteering with your dog. This course can be completed as a home study. The course fee for the Therapy Dog Training Prep Class includes the home study materials for the Pet Partner Team Training Course.

The Delta Society Pet Partner evaluation will be offered in Chico in late January 2010.

Animal-assisted therapy and activities (also known as "pet therapy") brings sunshine to the lives of others that are not able to share their daily lives with pets. Trained volunteers, with their trained and well-socialized pets, visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and other places where the healing power of pets helps those in need of stimulation, appreciation, and interaction.

Pets With Purpose was founded by Dr. Sarah Richardson to provide animal-assisted therapy services to area health care facilities, schools, and shelters. Pets With Purpose adheres to the guidelines and standards of the Delta Society, the leading national organization for animal-assisted therapy. Those who have fulfilled the requirements of the Delta Society to become a registered Pet Partner® are eligible to join our team.

What's involved in becoming a Delta Society Pet Partner®?

• First you (the person, not the pet) must complete a course on what's involved in being a volunteer. This course can be completed as a home-study (ordered through the Delta Society) or by attending one of our scheduled 8-hour courses.    
• Next, you and your pet are evaluated as a team. For dogs, this involves an assessment of basic obedience skills and his or her (and your) "aptitude" for being comfortable in the kinds of environments (such as skilled care nursing or memory loss units) in which you might volunteer. For cats, temperament and aptitude are carefully assessed. For animals of all species, the test also assesses how you and your pet interact as a team since pet therapy truly is a partnership between a handler and a pet.   
• Finally, if you successfully pass the evaluation, you and your pet must register with the Delta Society. Registration requires your veterinarian to complete a health check, and for you to submit several forms and pay a registration fee. Registration must be renewed (including re-evaluation of you and your pet) every two years. Click here to find out more about Delta Society Pet Partner registration. Registered Pet Partners are welcome to join Pets With Purpose and begin visiting as part of our team.

If you are interested in learning more about pet therapy, please contact Dr. Sarah Richardson. Thanks for your interest in this wonderful way to give to others by sharing the love and magic of your pet.