 DELTA SOCIETY® PET PARTNER PROGRAM I first became interested in Animal Assisted Therapy in 2003. While searching for a therapy dog organization to register my dogs with I settled on the Delta Society® Pet Partners Program because of it's emphasis on "both ends of the leash." Therapy teams are called "Pet Partners" because both the handler and the dog has responsibilities: the dog to be welcoming, manageable and well behaved, and the handler to make sure all interactions are positive ones and to manage and protect his/her canine partner. I also was impressed that The Delta Society® was the only national animal assisted therapy registry that requires volunteer training, repeat screening of animal/handler teams every two years and provides opportunities for continuing education. The Pet Partners Program was established in 1990, and registers not only dogs, but cats, rabbits, horses, and other companion animals to visit nursing homes, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other facilities. There are currently nearly 9,000 Pet Partner teams that operate in all 50 states and 4 other countries abroad. I am proud and honored to have successfully passed the test and practicum and will now be able to bring the Delta Society Pet Partners Program to the Fredericksburg/Stafford Area. Please visit the Delta Society® website for more information on this top knotch organization. ~Laurie Williams CPDT, Delta Society® Pet Partner Team Evaluator & my registered Pet Partners Andrew (since 2006) and Tucker(since 2003)  |
