Pet Therapy
What Is Pet Therapy?
The natural connection between humans and animals has seemingly existed for centuries and beyond. We look to our animals for joy, comfort and companionship. What is not widely understood is the real benefit of having pets in our lives. Interaction with animals is clinically proven to lower blood pressure, relieve stress and ease depression. Pet therapy was developed as a real form of therapy to improve the lives of humans. It comes in many forms and its benefits widely accepted and praised.
The Capital Area Humane Society provides pet therapy to our community through its volunteer force. Teams of volunteers and their certified animal partners visit classrooms, hospitals, nursing homes and mental heath facilities bringing the healing touch of animals to humans in need.
We are always looking to grow our volunteer force. If you are interested in getting involved in pet therapy please contact Gigi Somers, Volunteer Pet Therapy Coordinator.
How Do I Get My Pet Certified?
Dogs: Therapy dogs are very special animals. Not only are they great pets, but they also have qualities that make them great citizens. Therapy dogs are friendly to everyone, enjoy being petted and handled, get along well with other animals and are not easily scared or startled. They also have good manners and have at least basic obedience training.
If this sounds like your dog, you may be living with a future therapy dog.
To participate in the pet therapy program at the Capital Area Humane Society, your pet needs to be certified. The shelter primarily uses Therapy Dog International to certify its therapy dogs. However we also accept certification from The DELTA Society. Dogs at least one year of age must pass a test administered by a representative of Therapy Dog International. This test is an extension of the AKC Canine Good Citizens Test. For specific testing requirements please visit http://www.tdi-dog.org/. We offer TDI testing here at our shelter four times a year. For testing dates, please view the pet therapy volunteer calendar.
Once your dog has taken and passed the certification test, you must submit the appropriate paperwork and fee to TDI. They will send you an official certification, picture ID and therapy dog collar tag. You and your dog are then ready to begin your careers as a pet therapy team.
Cats: At this time the Delta Society is the only national organization certifying cats. We are presently looking into the possibility of using the Delta Society for cat certification. We will continue to use our in-house certification test to screen cats for pet therapy until a decision has been reached regarding national certification for cats. If you have a cat that would make a good therapy pet please contact Gigi Somers to schedule an appointment to have your cat tested. Please keep in mind that therapy cats need to be very friendly to everyone (including other cats and dogs) and enjoy traveling.
2008 Therapy Dog International Testing Dates
1:00pm on Saturday, February 9, 2008
1:00pm on Saturday, May 3, 2008
1:00pm on Saturday, August 9, 2008
1:00pm on Saturday, November 8, 2008
All dogs must be at least one year old and have proof of a rabies vaccination
Please contact Leila Siciliano to sign up for a testing time.
Pet Therapy Prep Class
One 45 minute session to prepare you and your pet to become pet therapy volunteers. These sessions will go over all aspects of the TDI (Therapy Dog International) test. By appointment only, please contact Julia Palmer, VP of Operations, to schedule.