The last thing many expect to see when they walk into a hospital room is a dog climbing up on a chair to say hi to a patient, or a bunny in a basket being petted by kids in the children's ward. But with Delta Society Pet Partners, this scenario is becoming more and more common.
The Delta Society
Founded in 1977, the Delta Society is a not for profit organization of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those who may need some cheering up in difficult situations. By creating a cadre of well trained teams of handler and animal, the Delta Society strives to increase awareness of the benefits animals can have on humans and expand the opportunities for therapeutic and service roles they can play.
Pet Partner Teams are made up of a human handler and a domestic animal. Almost any type of pet can be a partner, and teams range from dogs and cats to birds and bunnies. Llamas and ponies have even made the team in some areas.
To become a Pet Partner Team, handlers first attend an eight to 10-hour class, learning about how to care for their pet, appropriate way to visit a facility and how to work with a variety of patients. Handlers also learn about the Delta Society’s history and expectations of the Pet Partner team.
Once the handler has passed the training, it's the pets turn. A visit to the veterinarian ensures they are healthy and up to date on their required shots. Handler and pet are then tested in a two part practical evaluation that shows that they can work as a team. In addition to basic obedience, pets are tested on how well they interact with people and handle distractions.
After successfully passing the process, handler and pet register as Delta Society Pet Partners and begin working as Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA) teams or Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) teams. AAA teams are the more common, and are there to provide "opportunities for motivational, education and/or recreational benefits to enhance quality of life" according to the Delta Society's Student Manual Pet Partners Team Training Course.
The Pet Partner Team Approach
The AAA team is a more casual approach that provides simple companionship. While team visits are usually pre-scheduled with the facility, they do not have a specific time line or goal. Instead, AAA teams are there to allow the chance for people to interact and visit with both handler and pet.
These types of visits might include a meet and greet at the recreation room of an assisted living facility or a chance for children in a hospital to play with the pet in the day room. AAA teams also can visit residents who are less mobile individually in their rooms.
An AAT team, on the other hand, is more formal. These Pet Partners work under the guidance of a professional, usually a doctor or therapist as part of a specific therapy process. The therapist designs specific assignments for the Pet Partners to help the person they are working with achieve a specific goal.
For those volunteering in nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities assignments could be helping with motor skills like holding a brush and brushing the dog. Or, they could be used in schools in a "Read to the Dogs" program where the goal is to have a student practice reading aloud.
Whether it is simply sharing their pet with others, or working with a therapist to help people reach the goals they have set, volunteering with a pet can be a rewarding experience. The Delta Society's Pet Partner Program allows people who love animals the chance to show them off, while providing companionship and love from a four legged friend.
For more information on becoming a Delta Society Pet Partner, or having a team visit a facility, please visit the Delta Society website.
Kelly Sharp - Kelly Sharp holds a Master's degree in Education and a Bachelor's degree in Communication, and has been involved in training in a variety ...
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