Preview Upcoming Courses 2025

Introductory Seminar Contact us to schedule your ZOOM Session. Details below

Workshop ONE Handler Only Dates: TBD
Location: VIA ZOOM Meeting or a designated location TBD

Pre CBTE-Dress Rehearsal Handler & Partner Location: First South Financial Bank June 22, 2025 July 20, 2025

CBTE Dress Rehearsal Workshops & Packet Review Dogs Attend Summer Session Workshop Registration Deadline: July 9, 2025
Location: First South Financial Bank Dates: July 20, 2025 & August 3, 2025 ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review: August 17 (Deadline Aug. 4)
Testing - CBTE: September 21, 2025 (Deadline August 27, 2025)

Competency-Based Team Evaluation
Location & Time: TBD
Date: September 07, 2025 Renewing/Additional Partner/New FULL ITA/MSTD Registration Packet. To be submitted by TBD
Date: September 21, 2025 Renewing/Additional Partner/New FULL ITA/MSTD Registration Packet. To be submitted by TBD

Questions: Mary Ehrhart, Executive Director 901.336.0351 Email: info@midsouththerapydogs.org

*********************************************************************************************

Course Details 2025

Introductory Seminar — We invite you to a Zoom call to talk about the exciting opportunities ahead as you become a therapy team with us. Attending this seminar is important; it is a key step to joining Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends and participating in our Therapy Team Training Workshop Courses. We appreciate your commitment and look forward to your involvement, as your contributions help our organization succeed.

Contact us to arrange a one-hour Zoom call. During this seminar, you will see a PowerPoint presentation that highlights the key traits needed for a handler and their animal partner to become a successful therapy team.

To complete your payment of $35 for the Zoom call, go to the top right corner of the page and select "BLUE DONATE BOX." Scan the Venmo code, click the DONATE box under “Together We Achieve,” and use your credit card. Upon receipt of your payment, we will send you a WeTransfer file containing an Introductory Seminar packet that contains important information for you. We are here to help you and make sure your journey to becoming a therapy team member is smooth and successful.

The New Team Registration Form Fillable can be viewed by clicking on the blue box above: New Team Registration Form Fillable
Submit registration form & payment. Mail checks: Mid South Therapy Dogs, 2095 Exeter Road, Suite 80-105 Germantown, TN 38138

MSTD Assessment Form and Therapy Skills Classes —Take the Self-Assessment in the blue box above to determine if you and your animal partner are fully prepared to positively impact your community as a Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends Team. For those serious about achieving these goals, please inquire about training/skills classes by contacting Lisa Harrison at 901. 674.6679.

Team Training Workshop ONE - Handler Only, Cost: $50 Are you looking for a volunteer service that is both rewarding and fulfilling? Participating in animal-assisted interactions might be just what you're looking for! But remember, it is not a casual undertaking and is not suitable for everyone. Animal-assisted interactions can be a fulfilling volunteer service. Workshop ONE will present to you how to register as a volunteer team, the difference between animal-assisted therapy and activities, how to recognize signs of stress in your animal partner, how to conduct a visit, how to prepare your animal partner, appropriate terminology, when visits are not appropriate, and common concerns. Walk through the Competency-Based Team Evaluation – THE TEST! Video available.
Date & Time: To Be Determined Location: VIA ZOOM Meeting or location TBD

Pre CBTE-Dress Rehearsal Handler & Partner - After completing Seminar and Workshop ONE, you will have the opportunity to participate in the Pre CBTE-Dress Rehearsal. This constructive session is designed for you to connect with MSTD Evaluators and Administrators, who will meet with you and your partner one-on-one to discuss the training options available to you. Take this opportunity to gain valuable insights and guidance as you progress in your therapy team training journey!
Cost: $40 Date: June 22, 2025 Location & Time: TBD

CBTE Dress Rehearsal for Handler & Animal Partner (Workshop TWO) Cost: $150 All teams interested in participating must attend the Introductory Seminar, Workshop ONE, and the Pre-Dress Rehearsal. Handlers, working well with their animal partner is essential for doing well in the dress rehearsal for the Competency-Based Team Evaluation (CBTE). The handler’s role is vital, and hard work will make a difference. It is important to practice role-playing and to guide clients and your partner through different scenarios. These skills are crucial for a successful CBTE Dress Rehearsal and for being part of an effective therapy team. MSTD Instructors will guide participants through the best practices and methods. To reserve your spot in the CTBE Rehearsal, email MSTD at info@midsouththeraydogs.org to receive the fillable registration form. Completing this form and paying the fees are required to attend and secure your private session time. This step is vital for continuing your skills and becoming a therapy team. The private 40 minutes session provides the opportunity to showcase proficiency in safe vehicle exit and parking lot technique, registration/sign-in, meeting administrators, overall exams, elevator etiquette, and visiting with various client types. Prepare for real-life scenarios with diverse challenges designed to strengthen teams and enhance communication and trust with their animal partner.

CBTE Dress Rehearsal comprises two sessions strategically spaced several weeks apart. This structure ensures that potential teams have ample time for rigorous training, the opportunity to seek clarification, and the platform to demonstrate substantial improvement during the second session. The primary objective of the second session is to equip potential teams with the confidence and readiness essential for excelling during the CBTE and becoming a successful Therapy Team. The Intermountain Therapy Animal (ITA) Training Manual is given to handlers upon successful completion of the second session.

ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review Included in Workshop TWO Dogs Do Not Attend Times Pending: ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review (Paperwork Session)
Location: TBD Required before team’s initial CBTE, after both CBTE Dress Rehearsal sessions have been completed. Includes Paperwork Session, initial CBTE, and mentoring by MSTD members after successful completion of CBTE. MSTD Instructors assist handlers by providing a detailed review of the paperwork and test required for registration with both MSTD and ITA.

Competency-Based Team Evaluation (CBTE) Included in Workshop TWO The TEST The Mid South Therapy Dogs Competency-Based Team Evaluation, or CBTE, is an opportunity for new teams to demonstrate their teamwork and the skills necessary for conducting safe animal-assisted activities and therapy visits as a team member with Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends. As the new team navigates client interactions and maneuvers through elevators, the team encounters distractions and challenges that reflect the realities of therapy work. The handler is required to consistently demonstrate effective teamwork and to establish a confident atmosphere. It is imperative that the handler’s priorities are the animal partner’s needs and interests in all circumstances. The animal partner must actively engage in collaborative efforts with the handler, demonstrating behaviors that are reliable, predictable, and controllable. Such attributes not only enhance the confidence in their partnership but also promote a sense of trust and assurance among visiting clients.

****************************************
Thank you for your volunteer spirit!