San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

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How to Make Your Dog a Pet-Assisted Therapy (P-AT) Dog

Therapy Dog

Helpful guides:
Adobe PDF logo 75px 6 Steps to joining P-AT
with your dog
Adobe PDF logo 75px Comprehensive P-AT
Dog Handbook

Many volunteers bring their own approved dog to P-AT visits. These dog provide an extra dimension of happiness to residents who look forward to seeing them on a monthly basis. By certifying your dog as a Pet-Assisted Therapy dog, you will help us touch countless more lives with the warmth and companionship of animals.

6 Steps to joining P-AT with your dog:

  1. Apply as a general volunteer at the San Diego Humane Society. Follow the process of a volunteer interview and subsequent orientation.

  2. Attend our P-AT class with P-AT Coordinator, Judith Eisenberg. This class will be explained and scheduled after your first general orientation.

  3.  
  4. Go on two P-AT visits without your dog after you have completed all training and begun volunteering in P-AT.

  5. Obtain a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate for your dog either through the San Diego Humane Society public Behavior and Training classes, a private consultation with one of the San Diego Humane Society trainers, or through your own trainer.

  6. Be sure your dog meet all other requirements:
    • Pass the temperament evaluation by the P-AT Coordinator, which includes introduction to small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, rats).This step can be completed before other steps, to ensure your dog will thrive in a P-AT setting with small animals.
    • Be spayed or neutered
    • Be at least one year old
    • Hold the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate (step 4)
    • Not be on a raw food diet

  7. Pay $40 for your dog’s P-AT vest … and you’re done!
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THIS WEEK'S EVENTS

Thursday May 23
Pet Loss
Support Group
North Campus
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Saturday May 25
Vista Farmers Market
Vista, CA
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Saturday May 25
Affordable Licensing,
Vaccination, & Microchip
Melba Bishop Recreation Center
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We have many
exciting events - see
the full calendar!»

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MOBILE ADOPTIONS

Saturday, May 25th
Kahoots Pet Store
6525 Bisby Lake Ave
San Diego 92119
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BUSINESS HOURS

Special Note:
We are closed for
Memorial Day
Monday, May 27th

Central Campus
Viewing/Adoption:
Mon - Fri 11am to 6pm
Sat & Sun 11am to 5pm

General business:
Mon - Fri 9am to 7pm
Sat & Sun 9am to 6pm

North Campus
Viewing/Adoption:
Mon - Fri 11am to 6pm
Sat & Sun 11am to 5pm

General business:
Mon - Fri 11am to 7pm
Sat & Sun 11am to 6pm

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