STEPS TO JOIN
Loving Animals
Providing Smiles (LAPS) wants each therapy team handler to be a proud, skilled member of our
group, and each pet to be a happy, balanced partner when working with the public.
To that end, we require our teams to complete a comprehensive membership process. Some may think this excessive – but experience has taught us to ask more than the minimum from those wishing to join our organization. Based on our long experience in training pets and handlers to provide quality animal-assisted therapy programs, plus our unique focus on providing programs where multiple teams work side-by-side, we have developed the following procedure:
All LAPS Therapy Teams are asked to:
Complete the Delta Society / Pet Partner registration process
,
including passing an evaluation with a Licensed Team
Evaluator. Pet Partner’s high standard in team screening makes this program invaluable. In addition
to the liability insurance this registration carries, it also gives our teams the flexibility to
volunteer on their own.Complete a 3-month Probation Period
which includes hands-on training session(s) and mentoring. This training period is a primary reason for the success LAPS has enjoyed. Experienced members (many of whom are also dog trainers) help new handlers learn how to conduct themselves while communicating with their companions successfully and safely.Participate year-round by attending a minimum of 2 therapy sessions per month, one of which must be a scheduled group program
. This commitment ensures LAPS planned therapy sessions are supported and that teams continue to build a sense of community with each other.Attend general meetings.
By participating in general meetings, members have a greater opportunity to help direct our group and stay connected with each other.Help support the organization via fundraisers, public and special events.
As a small, all-volunteer non-profit organization, we look to our members to make time to support LAPS outside of therapy sessions.
Since
we do not charge facilities for our services, and yet we incur costs to support our teams and our
therapy programs, we ask members to help us raise the needed funds. We also attend special events
to increase public awareness for animal-assisted therapy activities in our community. Time spent
outside of therapy sessions allows LAPS members to work together toward our common goals.
How do I Start?
Your first step toward LAPS team membership is to download, fill out and mail an application, along with a copy of your pet’s vaccination records, to our office. Once that is received, a LAPS volunteer will contact you to learn more about you, your pet, and your interests. We will help you through all the remaining steps, including Pet Partner Team Evaluation.
Steps Toward Becoming a LAPS Therapy Team
Flowchart of LAPS Steps to Membership
Is Animal-Assisted Therapy Right for My Pet?
Necessary components of a quality therapy team include:
- Solid temperament of the animal;
- Combined abilities of the animal and handler working as a team;
- Enjoyment of interacting with people for extended periods of time; and
- Willingness of the handler to learn new skills with their pet for use in therapy work.
Like many organized activities for dogs, volunteering as an animal-assisted therapy team takes effort and commitment. However, animal-assisted therapy is not just another dog sport or performance event. You are making a commitment to facilities and clients (seniors, teens, children, hospital and nursing home patients) that you and your pet will spend time to help them in a real, personal way. AAT is about Service; and is not something to be approached casually.
We are fortunate to meet many people with good intentions, who want to make a positive contribution to their community with their pet by their side. However well-intentioned, many of these lovely people refuse, or are unable, to recognize that their pets do not share the same interests. Animals described as ‘shy’ or ‘reserved’ are actually showing fear. While they love going places with their owner(s), these pets may not be happy meeting and interacting with strangers outside their home. Pets noted as ‘energetic’, ‘rambunctious’ or ‘full of life’ are often young and easily excitable. These animals should be given the opportunity to enjoy their youth and once mature, may find AAT a perfect fit. ‘Sensitive’ or ‘physically restricted’ pets should be given special consideration when approaching animal-assisted therapy. Owners should think twice about the added stress these animals will take on and how that may impact their quality of life.
While you
may be confident that animal-assisted therapy is right for you, your pet can only “vote” with
his behavior. He will let you know whether he truly enjoys the work therapy animals are requested to perform.
Be attentive to what your pet is telling you about the stresses and realities of AAT sessions (and similar
activities). If you know qualified animal behavior professionals or experienced AAT handlers, ask their advice.
Listen and learn from their experiences and try to be very honest with yourself about your pet’s suitability
for therapy work. We want you to be successful, but more importantly, we want teams where both ends of the leash
enjoy the work and the client receives quality attention and support.
We strongly encourage those who want to help others by becoming a therapy team to take the time and learn if it is the right fit for both you and your pet.