Learn from the leader in therapy animal education. Pet Partners has spent decades developing standards that support safe, effective therapy animal visits. Our online courses are perfect for future and current volunteers, facility staff, and volunteer coordinators.
It takes more than a well-behaved pet to become a therapy animal.
You, the human end of the leash, need to be prepared for what to expect during visits and know how to speak for your pet partner in situations that will be completely new for you both.
That’s why every volunteer completes the Therapy Animal Handler Course before joining Pet Partners. This comprehensive course helps you and your animal show up confident, safe, and ready to make meaningful connections from day one.
The Handler Course is one step toward volunteering with your pet. Once you’re a registered team, you’ll have access to volunteer resources, free or discounted continuing education, and opportunities to connect with facilities seeking Pet Partners volunteer teams.
As you continue your therapy animal journey, Pet Partners has courses to take your volunteer experience to the next level. We offer advanced coursework covering real-world scenarios, across a variety of topics.
Learn your dog’s comfort and stress signals
Recognize when your dog needs a break
New and existing volunteers.
Learn how infections spread between people and animals
Learn practical strategies to help reduce risk during visits
New and existing volunteers, facility staff, and volunteer coordinators.
Prepare to volunteer in times of crisis or tragedy
Advocate for your animal in emotionally charged settings
Existing volunteers looking to build advanced skills.
Our courses are fully self-paced and easy to follow. They are designed for people with busy lives, those new to volunteering with their pet, or those already visiting with their pet and looking to build skills and confidence. You’ll hear the lessons read aloud, and you’ll answer real-world, scenario-based questions (think: multiple choice and drag-and-drop). You’ll have a quick knowledge check at the end and walk away with a certificate you can show the staff at any facility you visit.
With every Pet Partners online course, you can truly go at your own pace. Courses usually take people 2–4 hours to complete, depending on the course and how deeply you engage with the content. You can start, stop, and return whenever your schedule allows. Learn at whatever pace works best for you!
It depends! The Therapy Animal Handler Course is $80 for new volunteers. Canine Body Language Course and Infection Prevention and Therapy Animal Visits Course are each $49 for non-volunteers, and free to all registered volunteers. The Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) Course is a one-time fee of $115 and covers the cost of your AACR–branded gear after you receive your first AACR credential.
You will see a Buy Course section on each course page. Simply navigate to the course page you want to purchase, enter your email address, and click “Next”. You will receive a login code via email, which you can use to log in to the learning management system. Follow the instructions on the screen to proceed.
Yes, Pet Partners courses are designed to be as inclusive as possible! All courses have accurate closed captions, screen reader support, alternate text, keyboard navigation, and learner-controlled playback and display settings. Whether you’re using a laptop or assistive tech, you’ll be able to access everything you need.
The Therapy Animal Handler Course is required for all Pet Partners volunteers. Everything else is completely optional. Courses like Canine Body Language and Infection Prevention and Therapy Animal Visits are a great way for people to deepen their understanding of skills and strategies that will benefit them in their visits, and what steps they can take to keep themselves, their pets, and the people they visit safe.
