Pets for Vets / PAWSitive Therapy Troupe

What is Pets for Vets / PAWSitive Therapy Troupe?

The Pets for Vets / PAWSitive Therapy Troupe is an Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy program designed to share certified therapy dogs with patients in a variety of health care settings

Mission Statement

Pets for Vets / PAWSitive Therapy Troupe is a volunteer organization dedicated to sharing certified therapy dogs with individuals during their stay in health care facilities — working in conjunction with the health care team to improve quality of life.

What are Animal-Assisted Activities / Therapy?

Animal-Assisted Activities

Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) share registered therapy dogs with patients in a variety of activities such as individual bedside visits, entertaining demonstrations or educational sessions. Animal- Assisted Activities are not necessarily goal-directed, but they are nonetheless certainly therapeutic in nature.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is goal-directed intervention in which a therapy dog is an integral part of the clinical treatment process. It is directed by a licensed health care or education professional with specialized expertise and within the scope of his or her profession. AAT is designed to promote improvement in physical, social, emotional and / or cognitive functioning. This process is documented in the health care record by the health care professional.

Is there a Difference Between a Therapy Dog and a Service Dog?

Yes! Therapy dogs are NOT “service”, or “assistance” dogs. Service dogs include guide dogs for the blind; hearing dogs that alert their owners to sounds; mobility assistance dogs, which may pull a wheelchair or directly support a person; seizure alert dogs; and others like them. Service dogs are covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act. People with disabilities can BY LAW, take their service dogs with them wherever they go, including planes, restaurants, sporting events, etc.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that therapy dogs and their handlers have the same rights of access as people with disabilities and their service animals. Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs. They are NOT allowed to accompany their handlers wherever they go. Therapy dogs are invited into hospitals, nursing homes or schools to work with patients or students on very specific tasks, or simply to bring their unconditional love to the many people who need them in these facilities. Therapy dogs and their handlers have no more rights of access than anyone with a companion animal or pet.

Therapy dogs are always first and foremost beloved family pets. You cannot “buy” a ready made therapy dog. Therapy dogs and their owners, because of their interest in therapy work have undergone additional rigorous training to prepare them to function reliably in health care or educational settings. Therapy dogs live at home with their families when they are not working.

Therapy Dog of the Month

"Rosie"
Read all about Rosie & her companion, Becky

Pets for Vets /PAWSitive Therapy Troupe