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michiko · 10-21-2007, 06:32 AM

http://www.deltasociety.org/index.htm
I am taking info from there.

Prerequisites
Prerequisites for the Person

* The person handling the animal (handlers) must be at least 10 years old. Handlers younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must have written permission to participate from a parent or guardian.
* People who do not have an animal may also register as Pet Partners

Prerequisites for the Animal

* All animals except birds must have lived in the owner's home for at least 6 months. Birds must have lived in the owner's home for at least 1 year.
* All animals except "pocket pets" must be at least 1 year at the time the animal is evaluated. Pocket pets (e.g., guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, etc.) must be at least 6 months at the time the animal is evaluated.
* Dogs trained to aggressively protect and/or encouraged to actively bite, even as a component of a dog sport (e.g., bite work that is part of Schutzhund) may not be Pet Partners.

Animals That Can Be Pet Partners

There are a great many species that make wonderful visiting animals and can form a strong human-animal bond. Only domesticated animals may become Pet Partners. Examples of registered pets include:

* Dogs
* Cats
* Guinea pigs
* Rabbits
* Domesticated rats
* Horses
* Goats
* Llamas
* Donkeys
* Potbellied pigs
* Miniature pigs
* Cockatoos
* African Gray Parrots
* Chickens

Wild or exotic animals (e.g., snakes, ferrets, lizards) may not be Pet Partners.

Step 1: Pet Partners Team Training Course

Learn the skills needed to visit safely with your animal in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms, and other facilities. Successful completion of this course, in instructor-led or home-study format, is required for registration as a Pet Partner.

Topics include:

* Selecting and preparing animals for visits.
* Identifying and decreasing stress in animals.
* Animal health and safety.
* Special needs of client groups.
* Interacting with special people.
* Facility health and safety codes.
* Patient confidentiality.

Complete the course in one of the 2 formats offered:

1. Attend a workshop.

The Pet Partners Team Training Course is usually presented as a fast-paced day-long (8 hours), hands-on course. Some instructors present the course over more than one day, an hour or so each day. Students receive a copy of the popular Pet Partners Team Training Course Manual and practice visiting skills. Courses are scheduled throughout the year in locations all over the country. All workshops are taught by Delta-licensed instructors.
2. Complete the home study course.

For handlers who prefer to study on their own or cannot attend a workshop, Delta offers a home study version of the Pet Partners Team Training Course. The course includes a student guide with suggestions for activities that will help handlers learn the necessary skills, and registration materials.

Step 2: Health Screening for Your Pet (I did this after I finished step 3)

All animals who participate in the program must be healthy and free from parasites, disease, infections, and illnesses. The health screening is completed by your animal's regular veterinarian. To participate in Pet Partners, the animal must meet the following health requirements:

* Pass a general physical exam.
* Received rabies immunization, as prescribed by state law.
* In compliance with other immunization requirements, as prescribed by your veterinarian.
* Free from internal and external parasites.

Diagnostic Testing and Immunization Requirements

Thanks to the input of our Pet Partners in the field, and expert advice from veterinarians, Delta Society has revised the Animal Health Screening Form. The new form leaves testing and immunization decisions (with the exception of state rabies vaccination requirements) to your animal's veterinarian. Delta Society believes that your animal's veterinarian is in the best position to decide what diagnostic tests and immunizations are appropriate.

Rabies immunizations are required for all animals, as prescribed by state law, in the Pet Partners Program.

We hope that this new process will simplify Animal Health Screening for Delta Pet Partners.

As you well know, there is often not a consensus of opinion among those in the veterinarian community about immunizations, and State laws with respect to rabies vaccinations vary. Rather than attempting to prescribe immunizations schedules for dogs and cats (other than compliance with State laws with respect to rabies vaccination), Delta Society will rely on your veterinarian's medical judgment and knowledge of your animal's health history and status.

The new Animal Health Screening Form is in the Pet Partner's Registration and Renewal Packets along with instructions for your veterinarian. Make sure your veterinarian completes all sections of the Animal Health Screening Form or the entire Registration Packet will be returned.

10-21-2007, 06:32 AM	#18
michiko The Yorkie Sitter Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 2,350	http://www.deltasociety.org/index.htm I am taking info from there. Prerequisites Prerequisites for the Person * The person handling the animal (handlers) must be at least 10 years old. Handlers younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must have written permission to participate from a parent or guardian. * People who do not have an animal may also register as Pet Partners Prerequisites for the Animal * All animals except birds must have lived in the owner's home for at least 6 months. Birds must have lived in the owner's home for at least 1 year. * All animals except "pocket pets" must be at least 1 year at the time the animal is evaluated. Pocket pets (e.g., guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, etc.) must be at least 6 months at the time the animal is evaluated. * Dogs trained to aggressively protect and/or encouraged to actively bite, even as a component of a dog sport (e.g., bite work that is part of Schutzhund) may not be Pet Partners. Animals That Can Be Pet Partners There are a great many species that make wonderful visiting animals and can form a strong human-animal bond. Only domesticated animals may become Pet Partners. Examples of registered pets include: * Dogs * Cats * Guinea pigs * Rabbits * Domesticated rats * Horses * Goats * Llamas * Donkeys * Potbellied pigs * Miniature pigs * Cockatoos * African Gray Parrots * Chickens Wild or exotic animals (e.g., snakes, ferrets, lizards) may not be Pet Partners. Step 1: Pet Partners Team Training Course Learn the skills needed to visit safely with your animal in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms, and other facilities. Successful completion of this course, in instructor-led or home-study format, is required for registration as a Pet Partner. Topics include: * Selecting and preparing animals for visits. * Identifying and decreasing stress in animals. * Animal health and safety. * Special needs of client groups. * Interacting with special people. * Facility health and safety codes. * Patient confidentiality. Complete the course in one of the 2 formats offered: 1. Attend a workshop. The Pet Partners Team Training Course is usually presented as a fast-paced day-long (8 hours), hands-on course. Some instructors present the course over more than one day, an hour or so each day. Students receive a copy of the popular Pet Partners Team Training Course Manual and practice visiting skills. Courses are scheduled throughout the year in locations all over the country. All workshops are taught by Delta-licensed instructors. 2. Complete the home study course. For handlers who prefer to study on their own or cannot attend a workshop, Delta offers a home study version of the Pet Partners Team Training Course. The course includes a student guide with suggestions for activities that will help handlers learn the necessary skills, and registration materials. Step 2: Health Screening for Your Pet (I did this after I finished step 3) All animals who participate in the program must be healthy and free from parasites, disease, infections, and illnesses. The health screening is completed by your animal's regular veterinarian. To participate in Pet Partners, the animal must meet the following health requirements: * Pass a general physical exam. * Received rabies immunization, as prescribed by state law. * In compliance with other immunization requirements, as prescribed by your veterinarian. * Free from internal and external parasites. Diagnostic Testing and Immunization Requirements Thanks to the input of our Pet Partners in the field, and expert advice from veterinarians, Delta Society has revised the Animal Health Screening Form. The new form leaves testing and immunization decisions (with the exception of state rabies vaccination requirements) to your animal's veterinarian. Delta Society believes that your animal's veterinarian is in the best position to decide what diagnostic tests and immunizations are appropriate. Rabies immunizations are required for all animals, as prescribed by state law, in the Pet Partners Program. We hope that this new process will simplify Animal Health Screening for Delta Pet Partners. As you well know, there is often not a consensus of opinion among those in the veterinarian community about immunizations, and State laws with respect to rabies vaccinations vary. Rather than attempting to prescribe immunizations schedules for dogs and cats (other than compliance with State laws with respect to rabies vaccination), Delta Society will rely on your veterinarian's medical judgment and knowledge of your animal's health history and status. The new Animal Health Screening Form is in the Pet Partner's Registration and Renewal Packets along with instructions for your veterinarian. Make sure your veterinarian completes all sections of the Animal Health Screening Form or the entire Registration Packet will be returned. __________________ Michiko (Ethicist) and Haruka(Fragrance of Spring Flowers) [/URL][/COLOR]