Get Involved
> Step 1: Training the Human End of the Leash
New handler volunteers (those who volunteer with their own animal) are required to take the online Pet Partners course, which provides the foundation information. This course is easy to find on the Pet Partners website petpartners.org, but if you need assistance in locating or registering for the online Pet Partners course, please contact us by email or telephone.
>Step 2: The Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum
Additionally, new volunteers are encouraged to enhance their basic training by participating in the Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum in person. This course will help reinforce their learning and practice the hands-on skills that help turn the theory into practice. People who don’t have animals that they want to volunteer with, but want to volunteer “unleashed”, should attend the hands-on Practicum since it will better prepare them for their work as an unleashed volunteer. The $45 fee for the Practicum includes a one year membership in TAU and help in getting started.
The Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum teaches the animal stress and calming signals in a thorough, practical way. Our course also reinforces the online course principles of supporting the animal, confidentiality, and infection control through practical demonstrations and practice. We also emphasize best practice positioning while walking into a facility, reading to children, visiting clients who are using walkers, sitting on couches and chairs, wheelchairs, and bed-side visits, as well as working with groups and with therapists.
Though your Practicum Tuition includes a year membership in TAU, we don't automatically sign you up as a member. We want you to make that decision yourself. We invite you to become a member even before you are able to test and register with your animal as a Pet Partner. There are lots of way to volunteer "Unleashed" and share in our mission!
>Step 2: The Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum
Additionally, new volunteers are encouraged to enhance their basic training by participating in the Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum in person. This course will help reinforce their learning and practice the hands-on skills that help turn the theory into practice. People who don’t have animals that they want to volunteer with, but want to volunteer “unleashed”, should attend the hands-on Practicum since it will better prepare them for their work as an unleashed volunteer. The $45 fee for the Practicum includes a one year membership in TAU and help in getting started.
The Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum teaches the animal stress and calming signals in a thorough, practical way. Our course also reinforces the online course principles of supporting the animal, confidentiality, and infection control through practical demonstrations and practice. We also emphasize best practice positioning while walking into a facility, reading to children, visiting clients who are using walkers, sitting on couches and chairs, wheelchairs, and bed-side visits, as well as working with groups and with therapists.
Though your Practicum Tuition includes a year membership in TAU, we don't automatically sign you up as a member. We want you to make that decision yourself. We invite you to become a member even before you are able to test and register with your animal as a Pet Partner. There are lots of way to volunteer "Unleashed" and share in our mission!
> Step 3A: Before Evaluation - Basic Obedience (for dogs)
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Your dog should know and reliably follow basic obedience commands, be controllable, reliable, inspire confidence in the clients they visit and enjoy interacting with and being touched by people. Basic obedience commands include ‘sit’, ‘down’, ‘stay’, ‘heel’, ‘come’ when called and ‘leave it’.
Although many dogs have good manners at home, your dog must also behave in varied situations, around distractions, loud noises and around different people. These things are illustrated in the TAU Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum (Step 2). |
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We want you and your dog to succeed! Though not required by TAU, you and your dog are encouraged to attend a ‘beginners’ class before signing up for a team evaluation. If you would like some help, we can recommend the trainers on our Partners and Friends page.
We also recommend new handlers volunteer for one or more half-days of team evaluations. Each evaluation requires at least 8 volunteers to put on, and volunteering is not only a good way of learning how the evaluation progresses step-by step, but it's also a great way of "paying it forward" for when it's you're turn to evaluate and you'll be depending on the 8 or 9 people to show up to help you at that time!
We also recommend new handlers volunteer for one or more half-days of team evaluations. Each evaluation requires at least 8 volunteers to put on, and volunteering is not only a good way of learning how the evaluation progresses step-by step, but it's also a great way of "paying it forward" for when it's you're turn to evaluate and you'll be depending on the 8 or 9 people to show up to help you at that time!
> Step 3B: Team Evaluation
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After you complete the online Pet Partners training course and the Fur-Real Hands-on Handler Practicum, and you feel your dog is ready, sign up for a team evaluation. This is an assessment of the handler and animal partners in various situations common to what therapy teams will encounter. The evaluation takes 30-45 minutes and are scheduled throughout the year. TAU charges $30.00 for the team evaluation – the fee is good for three attempts should the team be deemed ‘not ready’ in one or more areas of the skills and aptitudes outlined by Pet Partners. Should you be deemed ‘not ready’, the evaluator will give feedback on what needs to be improved before you and your pet return at no additional cost. Team evaluations are scheduled monthly. Please see our website calendar and events page if you’d like to schedule an evaluation.
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> Step 4: Health Screening
Your animal must be current on required rabies vaccinations and have a complete health screening form completed by their veterinarian. You must bring proof of your animal's rabies vaccine to the evaluation, but we recommend you do the rest of the screening after you pass, even though it's important to talk with your vet to make sure your animal is healthy enough for therapy work before you test. If you don’t already have a preferred veterinarian, you may want to contact one of the clinics listed on our Partners and Friends page.
> Step 5: Join Pet Partners!
After completing the above steps, submit your paperwork to Pet Partners to become a registered Pet Partner Team and a member of Pet Partners. The cost for joining Pet Partners for two years is $95.00. This is reduced to $50.00 for two years if you also join TAU (because we are a Pet Partner Community Partner). Pet Partners requires that all our registered teams re-test and register every two years to make sure everyone remains happy and safe in their work.
Therapy Animals of Utah’s annual dues are $35.00 for individuals, and $45 for families, with reduced cost for seniors, students, military or people with disabilities. TAU provides mentoring for all of our new teams and ongoing support for our members. TAU periodically conducts continuing education classes for our members free of charge. See our Volunteer page under More...
Therapy Animals of Utah’s annual dues are $35.00 for individuals, and $45 for families, with reduced cost for seniors, students, military or people with disabilities. TAU provides mentoring for all of our new teams and ongoing support for our members. TAU periodically conducts continuing education classes for our members free of charge. See our Volunteer page under More...
