Press Release

 

ASPCA®/Delta Society® Offer Animal-Assisted Therapy Training Classes for New York Dog Parents

 

May 18, 2009

ASPCA Media Contact

WHO:   The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), in conjunction with licensed Delta Society instructors, is hosting a series of classes beginning June 6, to help prepare interested pet parents and their pooches to become certified pet therapy partners.

WHAT:   The classes provide training for human/animal teams in Animal-Assisted Therapy. Designed to teach pet parents the skills needed to assist their pets in becoming therapy partners, participants will learn the skills needed to safely visit hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms and other facilities with their pets.

Interested parties may register for Delta Society certification classes that will enable them to dispense love, hope and cheer in major New York City medical and mental health facilities, as well as schools.

  • "Walk with Me" - This six-week class covers the basic obedience skills that are essential for successful and safe therapy dog visits. Skills such as "Sit," "Down," "Stay," "Walk with Me," and "Come" are covered. New behaviors specific to successful therapy dog visits are also introduced. The relevance of each skill will be discussed, with an emphasis on the successful application of these skills in health care environments. Recommended for dogs three months of age and older. Fee: $255.
  • "Go Say Hi!" – This seven-week class will help prepare pet parents and their dogs for the Delta Society Evaluation. Components of the evaluation will be covered during each class with an emphasis on the importance of teamwork. Strengths and preferences will be identified and assessed so they may offer recommendations for placement in facilities that best ensure safe, enjoyable and successful animal assisted therapy experiences. Prerequisite: Dogs must have knowledge of basic skills. Fee: $290

WHEN:  "Walk with Me" - Six Saturday mornings from June 6 to July 11; 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (times EDT).  

"Go Say Hi!" – Seven Saturday mornings from June 6 to July 18; 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. or 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (times EDT).

WHERE:   Classes will be held in the 2nd floor training room of the ASPCA's headquarters, located at 424 East 92nd Street between 1st and York Avenues in Manhattan.

HOW:  To register, please contact Greer Griffith at 212-876-7700 ext. 4417 / greerg@aspca.org, or visit http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/animal-assisted-therapy.html.

Media Only: To arrange an interview with Greer Griffith, Manager of the Animal Assistance Therapy Program at the ASPCA regarding ASPCA/Delta Society training sessions, or to see a Pet Partners team in action, please contact Mark Knight at 212-876-7700, ext. 4585 or markk@aspca.org.

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.
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