Due to an extensive wait list for Therapets Canine Certification classes, we are currently not evaluating any new dog teams.

Cat and Rabbit evaluations are still open and can be scheduled by e-mailing Therapets@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org

  • Rabbits must have a current veterinary exam and must have received both the RHD vaccination and booster within the last year.
  • Cats must have current veterinary exam and be current on FVRCP and Rabies vaccinations.
  • Proof is required before evaluation will be scheduled.

Do you think that you and your pet could make a difference as a certified pet therapy team? Our Therapets teams visit a variety of locations including hospitals, assisted-living facilities, day programs, residential care facilities, hospices, college campuses and more.

What makes a good Therapet?

To become a Therapet, your pet must be:

  • Spayed or neutered.
  • At least 1 year old.
  • A member of your family for at least 6 months.
  • Up-to-date on appropriate vaccines (titers are not accepted)
    • Dogs must have distemper and rabies vaccines.
    • Cats must have FVRCP and rabies vaccines.
    • Rabbits must undergo an annual wellness exam.

To determine whether your dog, cat or rabbit might be a good candidate, consider the following:

  • Are they friendly and outgoing?
  • Do they enjoy being touched and petted by those unfamiliar to them?
  • Do they enjoy visiting new places and meeting new people?
  • Do they ride well in the car?
  • Are they calm and patient in new environments?
  • For dogs, have they attended and completed more than one group class? Are they able to focus and ignore other dogs when in a group setting?
  • For cats, are they comfortable traveling in a carrier and wearing a harness and leash? Please let us know if you need advice on helping your cat adjust to a harness!
  • For rabbits, are they comfortable traveling in a carrier and wearing a harness or leash or being carried in a basket?

If you answered yes to these questions and you’re interested in becoming a member of our Therapets program, please contact Therapets@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org and you will be contacted to learn about next steps.

Prep Classes and Certification

To become a certified Therapets team, you and your pet must first complete a behavior evaluation with one of our Therapets trainers to determine whether they’re a good fit for the program. Cats and rabbits should be comfortable traveling in a carrier and wearing a harness and leash (rabbits can also be carried in a basket or in a cross-body sling). Humans must 18 years or older and complete Animal Friends’ volunteer orientation and a Pet Therapy Workshop with our Therapeutic Services Coordinator. Anyone accompanying the handler during Therapets visits must be 13 years or older and complete these two training sessions as well.

We offer a variety of prep classes and other resources to help you prepare for your Therapets Certification Test. Please let us know if you have questions or concerns about any of the requirements or expectations. Click here to review our Therapets testing criteria.

Therapets Canine Certification Prep Class

This 6-week class will develop skills needed for you and your dog to conduct therapy dog visits to a variety of facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, residential treatment centers, hospices and more. Dogs should be both people- and dog-friendly and have basic obedience training. We will build on those skills to develop a visiting team of dog and handler. A focus will be placed on team compatibility to ensure that dog and handler work well together. The class will include a visit with your dog to a local facility for a therapy visit. This class will prepare you and your dog for the Animal Friends’ Therapets Canine Certification test. An assessment interview is required prior to enrollment in this class.

To schedule an appointment or for more information about our program, please email Therapets@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org

Up-to-date Rabies and Distemper vaccinations are required – titers are not accepted. Proof of an annual wellness exam is also required.

Vet records must be received no later than two days prior to the start of class or you will not be permitted to attend class – no exceptions.

At Animal Friends

Dates: Tuesdays
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Instructors:  Lisa Bartel CPDT-KA, DN-CET,  Michael Cunningham, CPDT-KA

Date: Wednesdays
Time: 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Instructors:  Barb Grosch, CPDT-KA, Gayle Bair, CPDT-KA

Tuition: $125 per dog

Therapets Canine Certification Test

Dogs and handlers will be assessed in simulated therapy visit situations to determine the dog’s basic obedience skills, visiting skills and social skills. We are unable to accommodate walk-ins on the test date.

Tuition:
$25

To schedule your certification test or for more information about our program, please email Therapets@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org