creating beneficial human-animal interactions

animal STANDARDS

Despite popular misconceptions, not every animal is qualified for a job in Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy.  Facilities have the right to expect that participating animals meet specific protocols of behavior and that animal handlers have necessary skills and knowledge.  Human participants can be confident that the utilization of screened animals provides them with safe and beneficial interactions.  And finally, handlers can proceed with confidence knowing that an independent assessment of their animals' skills and aptitude confirm their qualifications for this type of work.

At this point in time, however, laws rarely define or require standards for animals that work in facilities.  Some facilities are lucky, others not so lucky, in their experiences with unscreened animals.  

In fact, visiting and living with a multitude of strangers can be highly stressful to some animals.  Stress can result in the manifestation of undesirable behaviors - especially if the animal feels trapped.  Animals that lack obedience skills or are "too friendly" can knock people down or be startled into unsafe behaviors.  Animals that lack pertinent health care may pass along zoonotic diseases (diseases which may pass between animals and humans).

Screening processes developed by recognized organizations like Delta Society^® Pet Partners^® can identify animals that possess the skills and aptitude for success.

national REGISTRIES

The evaluation processes used by therapy animal registries have been developed to identify animals that demonstrate appropriate public behavior and an aptitude for working with and enjoying strangers.  A standards-based animal evaluation identifies animals that are predictable, controllable, and forgiving; it flags those animals who are not.

Animals and handlers should be registered with nationally recognized therapy animal registries before they begin visiting at facilities.  Reputable organizations like Delta Society^® Pet Partners^® require that animals meet very specific health, obedience and temperament criteria.

However, registration of an animal and handler team with a therapy animal registry does not guarantee that they will be appropriate for all facilities!  The complexity and specificity of many facility environments and clients call for even higher levels of skills and aptitude.  Facilities must evaluate each animal and handler team for their "applicability" and "fit" with that specific facility.  

Many providers of Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy services now require that animals and handlers hold a specific therapy registry credential before participating in programs at their facility.