Steps to Becoming a Therapy Team

Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends strongly believes that there are no shortcuts to any place worth going. Animal-Assisted Interactions is a very serious business which requires knowledge and skill to ensure it is done not only humanely and safely but also effectively. This depends on thorough training and rigouous screening of both the handler and animal.

We promise to provide you with the necessary expertise and on-going support but this will demand an investment of your time and yes it will also require expenses on your behalf. In doing so we will ALL have a commitment to learning and a shared dedication to excellence with us.  

This is ALL about teamwork.

Please use this checklist to help determine your animal's readiness to become a therapy animal.

Expected Behavior Checklist

Please use this checklist to help complete the training process to becoming a therapy team.

Checklist For New Therapy Teams

Become a Therapy Team

Introductory Seminar
Are you wondering just what therapy work is and what does it involve? This Seminar provides you with an overview of therapy animal work. You will learn about becoming a registered therapy team. Animals do not attend.

Obedience Class

AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certification

Team Training Workshop
The goal of our workshop is:

• To have you leave with the basic skills you need to visit successfully and safely in various settings.
• To know what is needed for you and your animal to pass the Team Evaluation (PPSAT - Pet Partners Skills and Aptitude Test)

This workshop is designed to help handler and animal acquire and fine tune the skills needed to pass the Delta Society Pet Partner Skills and Aptitude Evaluation. The workshop combines lecture, discussion and role playing and an onsite visit with a registered therapy team. It covers the fundamental information needed to succeed as a Therapy Team.  Learn the skills needed to visit safely with your animal in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, treatment centers and more. Through the lecture, group discussion and role playing, you will discover how to interact effectively with clients and keep your animal safe in all visiting situations.

Prerequisite: For attending the Therapy Team Evaluation.

Delta Society Therapy Team Evaluation
The evaluation ensures you and your animal have the necessary skill and aptitude to work as a team in providing
Animal-Assisted-Interactions.

Delta Society pre-requisites for becoming a registered Pet Partners team

Read more about the Evaluation process

(All MSTD courses require proof of current rabies vaccination certificate - tags alone are not acceptable-