FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is PAAWS?
PAAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit affiliate of Delta Society, an organization devoted to promoting the human-animal bond. Delta Society's mission is "improving human health through service and therapy animals." PAAWS helps support Delta's mission through its registered Pet Partner Teams. These Pet Partner Teams take part in animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy. A variety of animals may become pet partners. They include dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, and goats. Dogs are the most common Pet Partner.
- What is Animal-Assisted Activity and Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) involve the use of animals in human treatment programs. AAA may involve something as simple as visiting a nursing home so that the residents have an opportunity to interact with your pet. AAT includes specific goals and the oversight of a professional such as a teacher or physical therapist.
- What types of facilities and populations are visited by Pet Partner Teams?
PAAWS Pet Partner Teams visit residential care facilities, hospitals, schools, detention facilities, libraries, rehabilitation units, group homes, those with disabilities or special needs, hospice patients and take part in special events such as the holiday mall walk, Relay for Life and Eugene Celebration. Specially trained teams may respond to disasters and crisis situations.
- What types of people are best suited to be Pet Partners?
Those who have a genuine interest in other people, show good listening skills, enjoy meeting new people, and enjoy sharing their animals.
- What type of animal is best suited to be a Pet Partner?
One that is people oriented, comfortable being touched, enjoys visiting with strangers, is predictable, reliable, controllable, and able to cope with stressful situations
- What training is required to become a Pet Partner Team?
There are just four steps:
Pre-Requisites for becoming a registered Pet Partners team
Step 1: Train the 'Human-End' of the Leash by attending a Pet Partners Team Training Course
Learn the skills needed to visit safely with your animal in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms, and other facilities. Successful completion of this course, in instructor-led or home-study format, is required for registration as a Pet Partners team.
Topics include:
- How to tell if both you and your animal are a good fit for Pet Partners.
- Preparing yourself and your animal for visits.
- Identifying and decreasing stress in your animal.
- Animal health and safety.
- Special needs of specific client groups.
- How to interact with different types of people.
- Facility health and safety codes.
- Patient confidentiality.
Step 2: Have the Health of Your Animal Partner Screened by a Veterinarian
Step 3: Have Your Human-Animal team's Skills & Aptitude Evaluated
Overview of the Team Evaluation Process:
The Team Evaluation process evaluates the animal/handler team; how well the handler interprets and manages the animal's behavior and how well the animal responds to the handler. The main emphasis being that the animal is under control at all times. This process is the safest way to identify acceptable visiting teams.
Team evaluations are performed by Delta-Licensed Team Evaluators and there are 2 parts:
- Pet Partners Skills Test (PPST) – will show whether the animal can be controlled by the handler and follow basic commands. During the PPST, you will be assessed on how you interact with the evaluator, the evaluator's assistants, the animal, and the environment around you.
- Pet Partners Aptitude Test (PPAT) – is designed to simulate conditions you may encounter on a visit. This screening helps determine the most appropriate environment for you and your animal to visit. During the PPAT, you will be assessed on how well you interact with the evaluator and evaluator's assistants as you simulate being on a visit. They will be role-playing as though they are in a facility. Your interactions may be in the form of questions, responses to the evaluator and evaluator's comments, eye contact, smiling, head nodding, directing the animal to interact, or other verbal and nonverbal methods of communicating.
Step 4: Submit Your Registration Application
http://www.deltasociety.org/Page.aspx?pid=261
- Are there costs involved?
Yes, there are a number of initial costs to become a Pet Partner Team and a member of PAAWS.
There is a class fee, materials fee, evaluation fee, and registration fee. In addition your animal will need to complete a health screening from his or her regular vet. Prior to visits, the animal must be clean and well groomed. This may involve additional costs. Matching scholarships may be available depending on the needs of the individual and the organization.
- How often do I visit with my animal?
There is no specific time commitment. Some teams will visit once a month while others may visit once or more per week. Depending on the facility or population the visits may occur during the day, evening, or on weekends. There are visiting opportunities for all types of people's schedules.
- What if something happens while I'm visiting with my Pet Partner?
Delta Society has specific steps to take should someone be injured during a visit. Also, Delta Society provides insurance as part of its registration fee and PAAWS provides additional insurance for its Pet Partner Teams.
- Can you summarize the steps to getting started?
- Determine that you and your pet are good candidates for this type of volunteer work.
- Visit www.deltasociety.org to learn more about the pet partner program.
- Complete Pet Partner Team Training Workshop.
- Successfully complete skills, and aptitude evaluations.
- Complete paperwork, including the vet check, and send it to Delta Society.
- Complete application and forms and mail to PAAWS.
- Arrange for mentor to assist in first visits.
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