AAAT Evaluation & Application

If you are interested in volunteering your time (along with your pet) for one of the Animal Assisted Activity/Therapy programs, please download and refer to the information and documents listed here. If you have further questions, please contact us.

Our next classes begin on Sept. 25th, Oct. 2nd and Oct. 9th! Click here for more information.

AAA Class Information
Pet Evaluation Application
AAAT Screening Tool
Volunteer Venues

Items upon which you will be evaluated include:

  • Pet demonstrates safe/controlled greetings with people and other pets
  • Pet is comfortable with stranger’s touch
  • Pet walks loosely on leash (without straining) in highly trafficked areas and areas with distractions. (Dog must stay beside or slightly behind person in all situations). If pet is not a canine, pet must be comfortable being transported in a basket, towel or carrier.
  • If pet is canine, s/he demonstrates basic obedience skills (Sit, Down, Stay…minimum of 2 minutes and Come) under distractions and moving equipment (including movement in between the handler and the dog)
  • Pet ignores food on the floor or other objects, as directed by the handler
  • Pet demonstrates restraint while entering and leaving buildings

The Evaluation is given without treats (handler is encouraged to direct and praise the pet) and with only flat collars or training collars such as Gentle Leaders, Haltis or harnesses without metal e.g. Easy Walk Harness are allowed. Collars and leashes should be made of cloth or leather; leashes should be 4-6’ in length (no flexi-leads). (Choke chains, prong collars, Martingale collars or any slip lead collars are not allowed).

Please bring a copy of your pet’s vet records with you to document proof of current immunizations.

How do I know if my pet is ready for the Evaluation? Review the attached Screening Tool. If you consistently answer 4s, you are probably ready to take the Evaluation without additional classes. If you have several 3s, want more practice under simulated experiences, or want to learn specific animal assisted therapy skills, you may want to enroll in the Animal Assisted Activity classes. If you consistently score below 3, we recommend that you enroll in Basic Obedience Classes for your dog. Send us an email for recommendations.

If you would like to schedule your pet for the Animal Assisted Activity Evaluation and/or Classes, please contact us and let us know what Evaluation and Classes you are interested in, along with your name, your pet’s name, species and breed.