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What's Required
The following is required in order for any team to become certified for pet provided therapy. (In addition to these, dogs require additional training and certification - see Certifying Dogs for details on certifying therapy dogs.)
All required forms may be downloaded or printed from the Forms page of this web site.
1) Proof of current vaccinations, including rabies, and health certificate or statement from Vet confirming overall health.
2) Completion of the LOAL Control Evaluation Form.
3) Completion of 10 supervised hours (visits must be logged on the LOAL Visit Record Form) and a completed LOAL Visit Evaluation Form or LOAL Evaluation Form for Pets Other Than Dogs.
4) Certification from National Association for Pet Assisted Therapy. (Requires submission of completed LOAL Membership Application Form.)
Once you have met the training/obedience and health requirements, you are ready to contact our president, Robin Kaufman, to begin your 10 hours of supervised visits. After your first visit with Robin, you may contact any Team Captain to complete your 10 required hours.
During these supervised visits, you will be asked to review the guidelines for visits, and given pointers are how to make the visits as enjoyable and beneficial for you and your pet, as well as those you are visiting. It is important that you familiarize yourself with all guidelines prior to starting any visits. All teams are expected to adhere to National and local chapter guidelines for all visits whether in training or fully certified.
We do not rush people in completing their hours as we know everyone has busy schedules, although we do require the 10 hours to be completed within the same calendar year. We also encourage people to do visits at more than one location to get a better 'feel' of pet therapy as each facility is different. The exception is that only fully certified teams are permitted to visit schools, libraries, or other facilities with children.
Once you have all your hours, you will fill out forms for National and send in all the required paperwork. After you receive the ID cards and vest (ordered either from National or from our San Diego Chapter depending on your style preference) you will receive a free chapter T-shirt from us). You can then either do visits at any of our listed facilities or start at a new facility of your choice - contact Robin for information on starting a new facility.
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