A Pet Partners® Therapy Animal Team is one handler and one animal. It is important that BOTH ends of the leash want to do this work. Most domesticated species (dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, etc.) can qualify to become a Pet Partners®Therapy Animal with their handler.
Animal Skills:
Skills required vary by species.
While not a complete list, dogs need to:
Like to meet new people and be petted
Be reliable, predictable and controllable
Enjoy going to new places
Be confident around different visual distractions and loud noises
Have no aggressive tendencies
Be at least 1 year old and lived with their human partner for at least 6 months
Additionally animals may not eat raw proteins and cannot be on immunosuppressive or antibiotic medications. Dogs with Valley Fever in remission are okay to visit.
Contact the national Pet Partners office directly with questions.
Handlers have the ability to:
Make conversation with strangers
Be okay being ‘2nd’ to their animal partner
Anticipate their animal’s responses, behavior, and positions
Advocate for the safety and well-being of their animal partner
Read their animal’s body language and stress signals.
Re-direct their animal’s behavior in a positive way that
does NOT include yanking on the leash, striking, or raising their voice
Sit on cue
Lay down on cue
Stay in place
Come when called
Walk by their handler’s side on a loose leash
Be calm - not jumpy, barky ‘licky’
Be non-reactive to other animals
Volunteer with your pet - Dog, cat, horse, rabbit or other domesticated species
An ideal therapy animal is well-socialized, controllable, predictable, non-aggressive, not too shy and is comfortable in different environments. Your pet should be at least one year old and have lived with you for at least 6 months. He/She must have basic obedience skills and enjoy being petted!
Having the ‘right’ pet is not enough; the human-end of the leash must also be appropriate. Volunteering with your pet is a team effort. Handlers must confidently be in control of their pet by working with them in a positive manner to ensure the safety of all. All of our therapy animal team volunteers must be registered with Pet Partners®.
Not Sure Yet?
CLICK HERE to take a short quiz to help you assess if this type of volunteer work is a right fit for you and your animal.
Ready to get Started?
You’ve felt it yourself- the undeniable boost to your mood and spirit you feel when you’re with your pet. Every year, thousands of Pet Partners volunteer handlers around the world share this gift by bringing joy and improved outcomes to millions of people. You’re here because you share our vision, and want to improve lives in your community. We’re here to get you started and support you along the way.
Click to start the Volunteers with Pet Partners Registration Process or watch a video of a Team Evaluation
Review the Steps to Register as a Pet Partners Therapy Animal
Animal Skills:
Skills required vary by species.
While not a complete list, dogs need to:
Like to meet new people and be petted
Be reliable, predictable and controllable
Enjoy going to new places
Be confident around different visual distractions and loud noises
Have no aggressive tendencies
Be at least 1 year old and lived with their human partner for at least 6 months
Additionally animals may not eat raw proteins and cannot be on immunosuppressive or antibiotic medications. Dogs with Valley Fever in remission are okay to visit.
Contact the national Pet Partners office directly with questions.
Handlers have the ability to:
Make conversation with strangers
Be okay being ‘2nd’ to their animal partner
Anticipate their animal’s responses, behavior, and positions
Advocate for the safety and well-being of their animal partner
Read their animal’s body language and stress signals.
Re-direct their animal’s behavior in a positive way that
does NOT include yanking on the leash, striking, or raising their voice
Sit on cue
Lay down on cue
Stay in place
Come when called
Walk by their handler’s side on a loose leash
Be calm - not jumpy, barky ‘licky’
Be non-reactive to other animals
Volunteer with your pet - Dog, cat, horse, rabbit or other domesticated species
An ideal therapy animal is well-socialized, controllable, predictable, non-aggressive, not too shy and is comfortable in different environments. Your pet should be at least one year old and have lived with you for at least 6 months. He/She must have basic obedience skills and enjoy being petted!
Having the ‘right’ pet is not enough; the human-end of the leash must also be appropriate. Volunteering with your pet is a team effort. Handlers must confidently be in control of their pet by working with them in a positive manner to ensure the safety of all. All of our therapy animal team volunteers must be registered with Pet Partners®.
Not Sure Yet?
CLICK HERE to take a short quiz to help you assess if this type of volunteer work is a right fit for you and your animal.
Ready to get Started?
You’ve felt it yourself- the undeniable boost to your mood and spirit you feel when you’re with your pet. Every year, thousands of Pet Partners volunteer handlers around the world share this gift by bringing joy and improved outcomes to millions of people. You’re here because you share our vision, and want to improve lives in your community. We’re here to get you started and support you along the way.
Click to start the Volunteers with Pet Partners Registration Process or watch a video of a Team Evaluation
Review the Steps to Register as a Pet Partners Therapy Animal
18May2022