Animal Inspirations

• Contact Us to register for the classes. 
• Classes run for 6 weeks for 1/1/2 hours each. 
• 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• $125.00 for the set of 6 classes (9 hours of instruction)

• Do you have a dog that just LOVES the company of people?
• Do you have a Cat, Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Rat, Miniature Horse, Alpaca/Llama, Pot Belly Pig or Bird that loves the company of people?
• Are you seeking a rewarding and meaningful way to get involved in the community?
• Are you a Human Services Professional with a great pet that you would like to utilize in your therapeutic services?

If so, then take advantage of the Therapy Classes that Animal Inspirations has to offer! 

The classes are held only a few times a year.  Training a pet (another species that is not a dog) for Therapy Animal work can be done through private training sessions. It is possible to take a pet to a Therapy Dog training class if they are comfortable around well mannered dogs. 

 WHY SHOULD I GO TO A THERAPY DOG/PET CLASS?

• Enhanced Preparation for the Evaluation:  It has been proven that handlers who take an in-person Therapy Dog class or Pet Partner Workshop will have a much higher success rate at passing the Therapy Animal Team Evaluation.
• Training Preparation for invasive handling by strangers: The classes are designed to teach the handler how to condition and descensitize their dog/pet to the invasive handling required of a pet working in this capacity.
• Tolerance of intense distractions:  Other skills include teaching your pet the advanced obedience skills required to work and pass a therapy evaluation.  Some of the more challenging skills are walking past a desirable object on the floor, tolerating several people talking to and petting the pet all at the same time and meeting a new dog politely. 
• Handler education:  Learning about the various populations of people you may choose to work with and how to conduct a safe and enjoyable visit for your pet and your client. 
• Pet Partners 'Read to Me':  Once you and your pet are a registered Pet Partner Therapy Team, you are eligible to work as a Pet Partner 'Read to Me' team to help elementary age children in their reading skills! (Pet Partners 'Read to Me'is a literacy program for elementary age children proven to enhance reading skills when pairing children and animals)

Jack the R.E.A.D. dog waiting for his next reader at the Hutchinson Community Library.

HOW DO I GET EVALUATED?

Handlers interested in getting Pet Partner evaluated need to visit their website and consider taking the online Handlers Course ($70) before going to an evaluation to test with their dog/pet. This course educates the handler about the Pet Partner Policies and Procedures in addition to the specific information on how to most professionally conduct a volunteer therapy animal visit. 

The Pet Partner Therapy Team Evaluations require space and volunteer support and is offered on a limited basis in the Hutchinson community by Animal Inspirations, LLC. Those who wish to get Pet Partner evaluated sooner can contact Patti Anderson at siberpa@aol.com. She hosts tests more frequently in the Twin Cities Metro Area. 

WHAT ORGANIZATION DO I REGISTER THROUGH, AND WHY?

I am a licensed evaluator for Pet Partners (15 years) which is a national organization that:

• Has excellent handler education.
• Registers dogs and other animals.
• Requires evaluations every 2 years to assure consistent quality in the registerable teams which offers your clients and the organizations you work for the best reassurance in safety.
• They are one of only 2 groups that have educated 'Read to Me' teams.

For More information:

Pet Partners

www.petpartners.org

(Click on the RESOURCES page for direct links if necessary )

CONTACT US (EMAIL)  FOR DATES OF UP-COMING THERAPY DOG/PET CLASSES. 

 CONTACT US