Animal Assisted Therapy Classes

Animal Assisted Therapy Looking To Get Involved In Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Since 2000, the ASPCA has been the East Coast Affiliate of Pet Partners (formerly known as Delta Society), a national organization that aims to improve human health through the assistance of therapy animals. Within the NYC area, the ASPCA helps to carry out Pet Partners's mission by providing a full-service program to the public in which individuals can register their dogs and cats as therapy animals who visit hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms, libraries and other facilities.

Once registered with Pet Partners, the ASPCA's Pet Partner teams are assisted with placement in facilities throughout New York City based on where they live, their interests, and the appropriate environment for both handler and animal. The ASPCA also provides supervision for teams who are just beginning to get their "paws wet" and would like assistance during their first visits. A member of the animal-assisted therapy program or an experienced volunteer will continue to accompany new teams on visits until they have comfortably settled in.

In addition to enriching lives and improving human health, the animal-assisted therapy program at the ASPCA brings about greater community acceptance of dogs. Canines are seen as taking part in the healing processes of human beings in a variety of different situations, and facilities such as oncology units in hospitals and women's shelters, which would never have allowed dogs to enter before, are now admitting them in to serve humans in need of assistance.

How do I become a registered Pet Partners team through the ASPCA?

  1. Check that your animal meets the current behavior and health requirements issued by Pet Partners. An overview of the requirements can be found at the bottom of this page, or by visiting: www.deltasociety.org

  2. Contact the ASPCA’s AAT department to request a pre-class questionnaire.

  3. Submit the pre-class questionnaire and a staff member will contact you to discuss the results. If you are an appropriate match, you will be offered the option to enroll in either a class or seminar.

  4. Sign up for and complete a Pet Partners team evaluation.

  5. Submit the completed registration packet (including veterinary forms, evaluation results and registration fees) to Pet Partners by mail. Photos for ID badges must be emailed to Pet Partners at the same time.

  6. Receive your completed welcome packet and ID badge from Pet Partners.

  7. Apply to volunteer with a Pet Partners registered facility.

  8. Complete the volunteer registration and training requirements through the individual facility.

  9. Volunteer according to the facility’s schedule.

  10. Re-evaluate and re-register with Pet Partners every two (2) years.

Note: therapy animals are not assistance animals and are not granted legal rights of access. If you require a service animal, please contact a local member of Assistance Dogs International: http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/ for further information.

Upcoming Classes, Seminars, and Pet Partner Evaluations

ASPCA AAT classes, seminars, and evaluations are now available in Brooklyn and Manhattan!

To be considered for enrollment or to request further information, please contact the AAT Department at AAT.department@aspca.org or 212-876-7700 x4426.

Pet Partner Team Training Seminar – June 2012

While attending an AAT class is extremely advantageous, it is not required to become a Pet Partner. Throughout the year, the ASPCA's AAT Program hosts a one day seminar taught by a Pet Partners licensed instructor. This seminar is for humans only, and is ideal for those who have already completed similar training classes with their dog and/or who have passed the Canine Good Citizen evaluation, or who have a cat that they are thinking may be appropriate for AAT. During the seminar, you will learn the skills needed to visit safely with your animal in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms and other facilities. You will also have the chance to observe a mock evaluation and find out what it takes to become a Pet Partners team.

Future individual evaluations for you and your animal are scheduled at the seminar. Lunch and hot beverages are provided for attendees. Vending machines are also available onsite.

When: Saturday, June 9th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: ASPCA offices at 520 8th Ave., between 36th & 37th St., 7th floor

Fee: $125.00 in exact cash or check payable to the ASPCA. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my animal appropriate for animal assisted therapy (AAT)?

  • Does your animal enjoy interacting with and being touched by people?
  • Is your animal confident in new environments?
  • Is your animal calm around other animals?
  • Have you known your animal for at least six (6) months?
  • Is your animal at least one (1) year old?

If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, your animal shows potential for animal assisted therapy work. If you own a dog, you may be interested in attending one of our AAT classes or seminars. If you own a cat or another type of animal, you may be interested in attending our seminar.

Is my dog ready for animal assisted therapy (AAT) class?

  • Is your dog vaccinated for Rabies, Bordatella, and Distemper?
  • Does your dog reliably respond to basic obedience cues (“sit”, “down”, and “stay”)?
  • Is your dog polite around all other dogs (does not rush at, jump on, bark at, growl at, snap at, or lunge towards dogs)?
  • Is your dog polite around people (does not jump up onto people and does not bite, nip, or mouth people)?

If you answered “yes” to all of these questions and all of the questions from “Is my animal appropriate for AAT?”, your dog may be ready for AAT class. Please email AAT.department@aspca.org for the full pre-class questionnaire and class enrollment details.

What are the requirements for Pet Partner team registration?

Below is an overview of the requirements. Please visit the Pet Partners website for further information.

  • Dogs and cats must have lived with their owner six months before they can be evaluated.
  • Dogs must be at least 1 year old before they are eligible to be registered by Pet Partners and begin volunteering.
  • Important characteristics of a therapy animal are that they are reliable, predictable, and controllable.
  • A therapy animal should be very social and enjoy interactions with people.
  • A therapy animal should show no aggression towards people or other animals (no growling, barking, lunging, attempting to bite, or bite history).
  • A dog should have basic obedience and be able to sit, down, stay, heel, leave it and come when called before taking the Delta evaluation.
  • Dogs that are fed a raw protein diet are not able to participate in the Pet Partner program. For more information, please visit the Pet Partners website: www.deltasociety.org

The person handling the animal must be at least 10 years old. Handlers younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the Delta Evaluation, and must have written permission to participate from a parent or guardian.

How do I become registered with Pet Partners if I live outside of the NYC area?

The “Courses & Evaluations” section of the Pet Partners website provides information about registration in other regions.

Contact Us

ASPCA Animal Assisted Therapy Programs
AAT.department@aspca.org
(212) 876-7700 ext. 4426

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