ABSTRACT
An animal must successfully complete a standardized evaluation before working in a therapy setting. Dogs and cats must be at least 1 year old before they can be evaluated. The American Kennel Club (AKC) evaluation is referred to as the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and can be used to evaluate dogs for good behavior and temperament. Pet Partners has a rigorous evaluation that is based partially on the AKC CGC but is also designed to simulate the therapeutic environment. There is a strong emphasis on evaluating the pet, the handler, and the interaction between the two. Advantages to registration as a team with Pet Partners include liability insurance for volunteer, nonprofessional service and the Pet Partners’ periodical Interactions Magazine. The pet’s tag and the handler’s badge make it easy for others to recognize the pair as a qualified, registered therapy team.
