Pet Partners Myth Busters: What to Know Before Becoming a Therapy Animal Team

Pet Partners Myth Busters: What You Really Need to Know Before You Register 

If you are thinking about becoming a therapy animal team, you may have heard a lot of advice. Some of it is helpful. Some of it is confusing. And some if it is simply not true. 

Some people delay starting their journey because they are unsure what is required or worry they are doing something wrong. That’s completely understandable. Therapy animal work is important, and it makes sense to want to get it right.  

The information below should clear up some of the most common myths we hear at Pet Partners. Knowing the facts can help you feel more confident as you decide what your next step should be.  

Let’s Clear Up a Few Common Misunderstandings 

Therapy animal volunteering may look simple from the outside. You show up with a friendly animal and help people feel better. But there is more happening behind the scenes. 

Pet Partners focuses on safety, animal well-being, and positive experiences for everyone involved. That means there are clear standards and expectations. When myths spread, they can make the process feel harder than it needs to be or lead people in the wrong direction. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common misunderstandings. 

Myth 1: My Pet is on a Raw Food Diet, Which Doesn’t Affect Their Volunteerism 

Many pet owners choose specific diets based on their own values, research, or guidance from their veterinarian. Diet choices are personal, and Pet Partners respects that. 

However, the reality is that a pet’s diet can affect their eligibility to participate in the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program. 

Raw food diets may increase the risk of spreading certain germs, even when an animal appears healthy. Because therapy animal teams visit places like hospitals and senior living communities, Pet Partners must take extra steps to reduce health risks. Some of the people visited may have weaker immune systems, which makes these precautions incredibly important. 

Pet Partners follows strict health and safety standards to protect everyone involved. These precautions are one reason Pet Partners is often the therapy animal organization trusted by highly health conscious facilities. Facilities trust Pet Partners teams because of our clear standards and careful approach to safety. 

For this reason, animals on raw food diets are generally not eligible to participate in the Therapy Animal Program. 

This policy is not a judgment about feeding choices, and Pet Partners is not advising pet owners to change their pet’s diet. It is a safety standard designed to protect the people being visited and our own therapy animals. 

There are some exceptions: certain high pressure pasteurized foods may meet program requirements. Because diets and products can vary, eligibility is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

If you have questions about diet requirements or whether an exception may apply, please reach out to the Pet Partners Operations team here. We are available to answer your questions.  

Myth 2: I Don’t Need Insurance If I’m Just Volunteering 

Volunteering can feel informal, so many people assume they don’t need insurance. 

The reality is that insurance matters, even for volunteers.  

Many facilities expect therapy animal teams to be covered. Insurance protects volunteers, animals, facilities, and Pet Partners if something unexpected happens.  

Pet Partners includes general liability insurance as part of registration. This coverage gives teams peace of mind and helps build trust with the places they visit. 

Insurance is not about expecting problems. It’s about being prepared in case something does happen.  

Myth 3: I Can Register My Animal with Multiple Therapy Animal Organizations 

You may be tempted to register with more than one therapy animal organization to connect with even more fellow volunteers. 

The reality is that registering with multiple organizations creates confusion and risk. 

Each organization has different rules, standards, and expectations. Facilities may not know which policies apply, and volunteers may receive mixed guidance. 

Pet Partners does not allow teams to register with other organizations carrying their own insurance to make sure: 

• Clear standards 
• Consistent education 
• Strong support for both animals and their people (you!) 

Only joining one program means you’ll get clear guidance, which helps everyone succeed. 

Myth 4: Re-evaluations are Just a Formality 

Some people believe that once a team passes an evaluation, there is no real need to be evaluated again. It can feel like a box to check rather than an important step. 

The reality is that re-evaluations play a key role in keeping therapy animal visits safe, positive, and appropriate for everyone involved.  

Animals change as they age. Handlers gain new experiences. Visit environments can shift over time. Re-evaluations help ensure that therapy animal teams are still comfortable, confident, and ready to visit. 

Pet Partners requires re-evaluation every two years because this work matters. Re-evaluations help: 

• Check in on animal well-being 
• Confirm teams are still a good fit for the places they visit 
• Support handlers as their skills and confidence grow 
• Maintain trust with facilities that rely on Pet Partners teams 

Re-evaluation is not about looking for perfection. It’s about taking a fresh snapshot of the team in that moment. Many teams find that re-evaluation feels easier than their first evaluation because they are more experienced and confident. 

This standard is another reason Pet Partners is trusted by facilities with high expectations for safety and professionalism. Regular re-evaluation shows a shared commitment to animal welfare, human safety, and quality visits.  

Re-evaluation is not a setback. It is part of an ongoing journey that helps therapy animal teams continue doing meaningful work in a responsible way. 

Myth 5: The Results of My Team Evaluation Will Limit Where I Can Visit or Affect My Insurance Coverage 

Some people worry that their team evaluation results will limit their visit opportunities or affect whether they are covered by liability insurance.  

The reality is that evaluation results simply give teams guidance on finding the right settings to visit and do not affect insurance coverage.  

All registered Pet Partners therapy animal teams are covered by general liability insurance once their registration is complete. The evaluation is designed to understand how a team works together and what types of environments may be the best fit. Some environments are quieter and more structured. Others are busier or more unpredictable. The evaluation helps ensure that teams are matched with visit environments where they are most likely to feel comfortable and succeed.  

This approach supports positive visits helps handlers choose facilities and visit types that are a good fit.  

Evaluation results are not meant to be labels of quality or value! They are tools to help teams make informed decisions about where to volunteer. Because Pet Partners wants every team to feel confident, supported, and set up for success.  

Myth 6: A Two-hour Visit Limit Restricts Me and My Pet from Doing Our Work 

When a therapy animal is doing great work, it can feel natural to want to stay longer and help more people.  

The reality is that visit length limits protect therapy animals and supports safe, positive visits. 

Pet Partners often hears from active handlers that the two-hour visit limit rarely feels restrictive. Many handlers say they can tell their animal is ready to go before reaching the limit. The guideline simply provides a clear boundary that supports good decision making and helps handlers advocate for their animal. 

Shorter, well planned visits allow therapy animals to stay engaged and comfortable. They also help handlers remain alert and responsive to their animal’s needs. 

Visit limits are not about doing less good. They are about doing this work responsibly and with care for the animal. Many facilities prefer this approach because it aligns with best practices for safety and animal welfare. 

Knowing when to end a visit is an important part of being a therapy animal handler. Ending on a positive note helps ensure that both the animal and the people visited have a good experience and look forward to future visits. 

Limits help therapy animal teams do their best work, not more work than their animal is ready for. 

Your Next Step Toward Becoming a Therapy Animal Team 

You do not need to know everything to get started. You just need accurate information, a willingness to learn, and a staff team that is ready to support you. 

All Pet Partners policies, including the ones shared here, are in place for a reason. Each one is designed to protect animal well-being, support safe visits, and maintain the trust of the facilities and communities we serve. 

At the same time, Pet Partners believes in listening. Questions are always welcome. If you’re curious about why a policy exists, we are happy to explain the thinking and research behind it. 

And if you bring forward a thoughtful question, a reasonable argument, and credible evidence, we are open to reviewing and improving our policies! Many of our standards have evolved over time because volunteers, professionals, and experts have shared new information and perspectives. 

If you are interested in becoming a therapy animal team, your next step is to join one of our optional upcoming webinars. These webinars offer a chance to learn more, ask questions, and better understand how Pet Partners supports both people and animals. 

Ready to get started now? Create an account and start a registration with your pet in our Volunteer Center. 

Pet Partners is here to guide you. With clear standards, open conversation, and shared commitment, you and your pet can make a real difference together.