Why should you consider becoming a therapy animal team?

  • Share the joy your pet brings you with people in need
  • Make a positive impact in people’s lives
  • Serve your community and connect with others through animals
  • Deepen the bond you have with your pet
How to get started below

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a therapy animal?

Therapy animals are trained to provide emotional support and comfort to individuals in need. These animals are used in therapeutic settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and mental health facilities, to help reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. Therapy animals are different from service animals, as they are not trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities but are instead focused on offering emotional comfort and companionship.

Is my pet a good fit for a therapy animal?

Pet Partners allows multiple species to be therapy animals, but most are dogs. Therapy animals should be calm in a variety of environments, obedient, and most importantly enjoy interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds! In addition, your pet will need to meet age and health requirements.

What is the process for becoming a team?

To become a Pet Partners team, you will first take a handler course that covers essential information about visits and the evaluation process. Then, you and your pet will take an in-person assessment that consists of obedience skills and simulations to see how you and your pet respond to different situations that you would come across as a therapy animal team.

Getting Started with Pet Partners

Visit www.petpartners.org to learn more about becoming a therapy animal team. We welcome you to attend one of our monthly volunteer meetings to meet current Pet Partners teams, learn more about opportunities, and ask questions!

Once you decide to move forward with becoming a team, the first step is completing a handler training workshop:

  • This workshop is for humans only and is not an animal training course
  • Online handler training workshops are always available
  • In person Handler Training Workshop:
    • There is no cost to attend the workshop, but registration is required
    • Saturday, October 11th from 10:30 am – 5:30 pm @ Tippecanoe County Public Library, Wyandotte Location
    • Register on the Pet Partners website