This post is part of a continuing series on preparing your pet for therapy animal work. You’ve brought a new pet home who you think might be a great therapy animal (perhaps one you adopted from a shelter), and you’ve taken some time to prepare them for experiences they might…
The positive effects of the human-animal bond are undeniable, but how exactly do they come about? While research and anecdotes have demonstrated that animal-assisted interventions are effective, Andrea M. Beetz delves into theories about why and how they are effective in her 2017 article, “Theories and possible processes of animal…
The Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program has been dedicated since the beginning to bringing therapy animals to people who can most benefit. For more than three decades our dedicated volunteer teams have been bringing the power of the human-animal bond to people in healthcare settings of all kinds. As the…
Dr. Leo Bustad was one of the founders of Pet Partners (then called Delta Society). His influence on the field of animal-assisted interventions was major, going beyond his role in founding our organization. In this guest post, Dr. Alan Beck shares some thoughts on Dr. Bustad’s influence and his memories…
Infection control is a hot topic right now, with the COVID-19 coronavirus in the news and flu season underway. There’s a lot of discussion about ways to prevent infection with these high-profile bugs. But infection control is also very important for any therapy animal visit, and it’s one of the…
Understanding canine body language is not just a useful skill — it’s imperative in order to fulfill handler duties and advocate for our therapy animals. Being fluent in in our dogs' body language also helps maintain the safety of our clients. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that being able…
Dana Brooks is a dedicated member of the Pet Partners board of directors and a monthly donor. As a professional in the pet industry, Dana has always had a passion for animals and animal-assisted interventions (AAI). How did you learn about Pet Partners and why did you get involved? “I…
The holiday season is upon us, and we all know this is a time of giving—whether that means giving gifts, our time, monetary donations, or just giving thanks. We know our volunteers enjoy giving their time year-round, so during this special time of year, we’ve created this holiday gift guide…
If you’re searching for a reputable program to get started with therapy animal volunteering, look no further. Pet Partners, the leading therapy animal organization in the U.S., is the gold standard for you, your animal, and the people whose lives your team will impact. 1. Top Notch Education and Evaluation…
One of the principles that makes the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program the gold standard is YAYABA™, which stands for You Are Your Animal’s Best Advocate. YAYABA is your most important responsibility as a handler, because your animal’s welfare should always be your top priority. Practicing YAYABA includes allowing your…
