Volunteer With Your Animal
Become a Team with Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends
Participating in animal-assisted interactions with your companion animal is not just a voluntary service. It’s a journey of personal growth and fulfillment that can be incredibly rewarding. However, it is a serious responsibility that involves health, safety, and extreme emotions and behaviors. Volunteers must deal appropriately with patients during the most challenging times. By becoming an MSTD visiting team, you are playing a crucial role in our mission, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We deeply value your dedication and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those we serve.
For a comprehensive understanding of the assessments, training, preparation, and costs, click the steps below. This will provide you with the necessary information to prepare for your role as a volunteer.
“People may not remember what you say, but they’ll ALWAYS remember how you make them feel.”
Mayo Angelou
Preview Upcoming Courses
Introductory Seminar Contact us to schedule your ZOOM Session. Details below Email: info@midsouththerapydogs.org
Workshop ONE Handler Only Dates: Contact Us Email: info@midsouththerapydogs.org
Location: VIA ZOOM Meeting or a designated location
Pre CBTE-Dress Rehearsal Handler & Partner Location: First South Financial Bank Contact Us
CBTE Dress Rehearsal Workshops & Packet Review Dogs Attend Session Contact Us Workshop Registration Deadline: TBD
Location: First South Financial Bank Contact Us for Dates:
ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review CBTE Information
Competency-Based Team Evaluation
Location & Time: TBD
Date: March 29, 2026 May 17, 2026 June 14, 2026 Renewing/Additional Partner/New ITA/MSTD Registration Packet. To be submitted by TBD
Questions: Mary Ehrhart, Executive Director 901.336.0351 Email: info@midsouththerapydogs.org
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Course Details
Introductory Seminar — We invite you to a Zoom call to learn about becoming part of our therapy team at Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends. This seminar is an important step to join us and our training courses. We are happy you are interested and look forward to having you with us! Please contact us to schedule a one-hour Zoom call. In this seminar, we will show a presentation that explains what makes a good therapy team with a handler and their partner. To pay the $35 for the ZOOM call follow these steps:1. go to the top right corner of the page and click the “BLUE DONATE BOX’. 2. Scan the Venmo code click the DONATE box under “Together We Achieve,” and enter your card credit card information or use STRIPE. After we receive payment, we will send you a WeTransfer file with the Introductory Seminar packet that has 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.
To access the New Team Registration Form, click the blue box above. After filling out the form, send it along with payment. If you are paying by check, mail to:
Mid South Therapy Dogs, 2095 Exeter Road, Suite 80-105 Germantown, TN 38138
MSTD Assessment Form and Therapy Skills Classes — To see if you and your animal partner are ready to help your community as a Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends Team, complete the self-assessment in the blue box above and send it.
Team Training Workshop ONE - Handler Only, Cost: $50 Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity? Participating in animal-assisted interactions might be just what you're looking for! 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.
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: TBD Location & Time: TBD
CBTE Dress Rehearsal for Handler & Animal Partner (Workshop TWO) Cost: $150 All teams must attend the Introductory Seminar, Workshop ONE, and the Pre-Dress Rehearsal. Effective teamwork between handlers and their animal partners is crucial for success in the Competency-Based Team Evaluation (CBTE). The TEST! Practice guiding clients and your partner through scenarios to build essential skills. MSTD instructors will provide support. To reserve your spot in the CTBE Rehearsal, email MSTD at info@midsouththeraydogs.org for the registration form. Completing this form and paying the fees are necessary to secure your session time. The 40 -minute session will cover safe vehicle exit, parking lot techniques, registration, meeting administrators, overall exams, elevator etiquette, and interacting with various clients. Prepare for real-life challenges to strengthen your team’s communication and trust.
CBTE Dress Rehearsal includes two sessions that are several weeks apart. This schedule gives teams enough time to train well, ask questions, and show how much they have improved by the second session. The goal of the second session is to help teams build confidence and skills they need to succeed in the CBTE and become effective Therapy Teams. After completing the second session, handlers will receive the Intermountain Therapy Animal (ITA) Training Manual.
ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review Included in Workshop TWO. Dogs Do Not Attend. (Paperwork Session) you must attend this session before your first CBTE and after completing both Dress Rehearsal session for the CBTE. This workshop includes a Paperwork Session, initial CBTE, and support from MSTD members after successful completion of CBTE. MSTD Instructors will help you review the necessary paperwork and test needed 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 (CBTE) helps new teams demonstrate their teamwork and skills for safe animal-assisted activities and therapy visits. During the evaluation, teams will interact with clients and navigate elevators while facing commons distractions and challenges. the handler must work well with their teams on focus on the animal partner’s needs.
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Thank you for your volunteer spirit!