NOTE:  Some volunteer candidates may be surprised and disappointed by our extensive volunteer screening and training process.  This is understandable and we wish that willing, open hearts were sufficient to meet the required standards.  Rest assured that Angel Paws receives no portion of the volunteer training or registration fees that are necessary to provide a quality service to our community and to preserve the integrity, credibility and reputation of Angel Paws as an organization and other quality AAA/T programs as well as protect Angel Paws, volunteers and facilities from potential liability.  The good news is that as a Delta Society Pet Partners® affiliate organization our volunteers receive discounts on all training and registration fees and as a registered Angel Paws/Delta Society Pet Partners® therapy team you and your pet will carry a $1,000,000. primary liability insurance policy among other benefits including: additional, free volunteer training; free animal/handler photo ID; free animal collar ID tag; animal/handler uniforms; and free photo calling cards for your pet.  And, best of all, you will be a member of a top quality, standards based local program we can all be proud to be a part of!   Registration Scholarships may be available for qualified candidates.  Contact us for more information. 

PLEASE DO NOT WAIT FOR TRAININGS, ORIENTATIONS OR EVALUATIONS TO BE SCHEDULED & ANNOUNCED TO CONTACT US.     
Advance preparation is required & we are here to help you succeed!

1.  Introductory Orientation.  (optional)  Attend Angel Paws AAA/T Introductory Presentation when available (dates, times & locations vary).  Meanwhile, YOUR AT THE RIGHT PLACE!  Please take advantage of all the information around this web site, especially under our Pet Partners Volunteer tab, Contact Us directly and especially if you plan to volunteer with a dog please don't wait to read our Can My Dog Be A Therapy Dog and all other related pages and arrange appropriate dog training with one of our recommended dog trainers if necessary ASAP.

2.  Questionnaire.  Complete & return Angel Paws AAA/T Animal/Handler Questionnaire (download below). 
3.  Dog Training.   Angel Paws provides a variety of dog training options but handlers are ultimately responsible for their own dog training.  If you plan to volunteer with a dog especially please review our Can My Pet Be a Therapy Pet, What Kind of Training Does My Dog Need to Be A Therapy Dog, Recommended Dog Trainers, and Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training Course pages.  Formal dog training is optional but those who have completed dog training with a professional positive reinforcement trainer have a significantly higher rate of success in our program.  We are here to help you succeed so please contact us with any questions you may have about dog training after you have reviewed these pages.  PLEASE DO NOT WAIT FOR OUR THERAPY DOG TRAINING COURSE OR SKILLS & APTITUDE TEST TO BE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN YOUR DOG TRAINING.   
 
4.  Delta Society Pet Partners Training.  Contact Angel Paws to purchase and complete Delta Society Pet Partners Team Training Home Study Course.  $37.00  with Angel Paws affiliate organization discount (regular $45.95 w/shipping & handling from Delta) includes training manual, written exam and all registration paperwork.  (Angel Paws lending library copies may be available with $37. deposit.  Check will not be cashed as long as manual is returned in same condition).  And if you haven't already, please be sure to read our Can My Dog Be A Therapy Dog (even if you plan to volunteer with another species) and all related pages and look into appropriate dog training with one of our recommended dog trainers.

5.  Health Screening.  Have Animal Health Screening Forms (Step #6 in Pet Partner manual Appendix D) completed by veterinarian.  Health screening includes up to date vaccinations and fecal exam results.  Discounts are available, call Angel Paws for participating veterinarians.

6.  Delta Society Pet Partners Registration.  Complete ALL Delta Society Pet Partners registration forms (Steps #1 through #7 located in Pet Partner manual Appendix D).  Registration fee w/Angel Paws Affiliate Group discount is $50.00 (regular $75.) Srs. & Disab., $40. for two (2) years includes complimentary Delta membership, Interactions magazine subscription, animal/handler photo ID, pet ID tag, and $100,000,000. primary liability insurance coverage.  (Additional Handlers, $30.; Additional Animals, $20.  Registration scholarships may be available to qualified candidates.  Contact us for more info.

7.  Skills & Aptitude Test.  Schedule & pass Delta Society Pet Partners Skills and Aptitude Tests  (PPST & PPAT) (date, time and place to be determined)  ADVANCE PREPARATION IS REQUIRED - PLEASE NOTE ACCEPTABLE EQUIPMENT -   Copies of ALL Delta Society Pet Partners registration forms (Steps #1-#7 in Pet Partner manual Appendix D) including photo and check made out to Delta Society must be provided at time of evaluation.  Digital photos may be taken at evaluation.  Registration will be mailed by Angel Paws after Angel Paws training.  Delta processing takes 2-3 weeks.   NOTE:  We regret that we are not able to conduct these tests as often as we would like.  Please make sure you prepare wisely well in advance & look into appropriate dog training with one of our recommended dog trainers if necessary ASAP.  

8.  Angel Paws Handler Training.     Attend Angel Paws Handler Training & Orientation (people only), facility specific orientations, On-Site Training (1 observation visit without animal & all necessary supervised/training visit(s) with animal.  Volunteers may also be required to have TB tests (provided free of charge with LMH orientation) in order to be able to visit certain facilities per individual facility volunteer policies.

9.  Uniform & Visiting Kit.  Purchase uniform; Logo polo shirt (prices vary), khaki slacks, white athletic shoes, coordinated pet logo bandanna ($7.) and visiting kit (partial complimentary starter visiting kits may be provided by Angel Paws - 10% discount on non-food items provided by Complete Petmart).  Pet Photo ID provided free of charge for pets whose handlers complete LMH orientation &/or Hospice Training.  Pet photo calling cards provided free of charge by Angel Paws.

10.  Schedule Solo Visits.  Visits are scheduled for every other week, preferably same day and time but flexibility is available.  Visits may be scheduled at one or more of the facilities we currently partner with.

11.  Reading Education Assistance Dog  (R.E.A.D.) Training & Registration.  Angel Paws/R.E.A.D. teams must be registered Delta Society Pet Partners, complete all of the above & purchase a R.E.A.D. training manual & DVD.  Manual & DVD, $37. with affiliate organization discount (reg. $75.)  Lifetime Registration for handlers with registered Therapy Pet, $40. with affiliate organization discount  (reg. $50.)  REgistration scholarships may be available for qualified candidates.  Contact us for more information.

WELCOME & Thank You For Your Interest
Angel Paws Training & Registration Process
Delta Society Pet Partners Skills & Aptitude Test
Equipment
Perks & Requirements
Service Description
Who We Serve
2 Year Membership Renewal
Dogs ...
Puppies
Not Just Dogs; Therapy Cats, Rabbits, Birds, etc.
Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D)
Auxiliary Angels (no pet required)