STEP 1: Take the Home Study Course
Ø Review the skills needed to visit safely with your animal in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms and other facilities.
Ø Thoroughly read the manual
Ø Taking the Home Study Course is a requirement of Delta Society.
To order Delta’s Team Training Course Manual for the Home Study: CLICK HERE
STEP 2: Assist/Observe at an Evaluation
Ø This is a very important step in the evaluation process and is mandatory.
Ø You have the opportunity to see evaluations first hand to see if you and your pet partner are ready.
Ø When you are ready to assist/observe at an evaluation, contact Sandy Chang at therapyk9@gmail.com
Step 3: Pass the Canine Good Citizen Test within a year of being evaluated
Ø This is not a Delta Requirement, but it is a requirement to be evaluated by AHF.
Ø AHF is a local affiliate of Delta Society in Orange County. You cannot become a member of AHF until you have passed the Delta Pet Partner Evaluation.
Ø Benefits of AHF membership include:
o Your registration packet will be mailed into Delta for you
o Your Delta fees will be paid for by AHF
o Your evaluation fees will be paid for by AHF
o You will receive a free Delta vest, compliments of AHF
o You will have access to AHF's mentoring program
o You will receive business cards for your pet partner
o AHF will sponsor your READ Program registration & Manual (for those interested)
o $300 Value to you!
Ø If you do not want to be a member of AHF, then you will pay for all of the above personally.
Ø This is not a Delta Requirement, but it is a requirement to be evaluated by AHF (see below).
Ø You must have read the manual from cover to cover in order to attend this review
Ø During this review, we you will be quizzed about things that were in the manual. If you pass the review, you can be evaluated by AHF.
STEP 5: The Pet Partner Team Evaluation Process
Ø The Team Evaluation process evaluates the animal/handler team, how well the handler interprets and manages the animal’s behavior, and how well the animal responds to the handler. They are performed by Delta-licensed Team Evaluators.
Ø One of the goals of the Pet Partners Program is to ensure that we can all be proud of the visiting teams because they are safe and reliable. The evaluation process gives a complete picture of each h handler/animal team. This process is the safest way to identify acceptable visiting teams.
Ø During the evaluation you will be assessed on how you interact with the evaluator, the evaluator’s assistants, the animal and the environment around you. They will be acting as though they are in a facility. Your interactions may be in the form of questions, responses to the evaluator and evaluator’s comments, eye contact, smiling, head nodding, directing the animal to interact, or other verbal and nonverbal methods of communicating.
Ø Pet Partner Skills Test (PPST) – shows whether the animal can be controlled by you and follow basic commands. Click Here to see details of this test
Ø Pet Partner Aptitude Test (PPAT) – designed to simulate conditions that may be encountered on a visit. This screening helps determine the most appropriate environment for you and your animal. Many people compare this to a temperament test. Click Here to see details of this test.
Ø Unlike obedience competitions, you and your animal do not have to perform the exercises with precision to pass the evaluation. You are encouraged to talk to your animal during the entire evaluation. The main emphasis is that the animal is under control.
Ø After you have passed the PPST and PPAT, the Team Evaluator will give you a signed and dated copy of your test forms for you to include when you submit your completed registration packet to Delta Society.
STEP 6: After Your Registration Packet is Submitted
Ø Once Delta receives your completed Registration Packet, you will be issued a letter with your Pet Partner ID#, which allows you to begin visiting.
Ø AHF Pet Partners will set you up with a mentor for your first few visits.
Ø You will receive your ID Card from Delta, your vest and cards from AHF
