THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND - STRENGTHING OUR RELATIONSHIPS
Delta Society Pet Partners (people-Animal volunteer teams) are the lifeblood of the organization. In the United States alone, there are more that 8,000 Pet Partner teams working in their communities to improve human health by promoting mutually beneficial relationships between people and therapy animals. The number of Pet Partners is constantly growing and the organization receives over 400 requests each Month from people wishing to become Pet Partners. Of note: one Pet Partner team who makes an average of three hospital visits each month is likely to touch the lives of more than 540 people in a single year!
Delta Society trains volunteers through the Pet Partners Team Training course or a Home study course on how to visit safely and effectively with their pet. Volunteers and their pets are screened by Delta Society Team Evaluators for appropriate skills and aptitude which determines the best setting for a team to visit. Pet Partner teams provide visits to hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other places their assistance and companionship is requested.
Pet Partner Teams participate in Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) and/or Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) visits.
Animal-Assisted Activities are casual “meet and greet” activities that involve pets visiting people. There is no specific treatment goals planned and the same activity can be used with many people. No detailed notes are necessary and the visits are spontaneous. The visit can be long or short as desired by Pet Partner team.
Animal-Assisted Therapy is a significant part of the treatment for physically, socially, emotionally or cognitively challenged people. The goals are stated for each session and it is individual treatment for each patient. Notes are taken at each session and a set time for the visit is scheduled. The length is also pre-determined to best fit the patient.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A PART OF THE PET PARTNERS PROGRAM OR TO ORDER A PP BOOK CONTACT Delta Society—
