What It Takes to Be a Therapy Animal Team
Therapy Animals provide affection and comfort to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities. Therapy Animals are used for the benefit of a third party. These animals can help in many ways and are commonly used in the following circumstances:
- Nursing Home Visits
- Counseling Sessions
- Schools
- Autistic Support Programs
- And many more!
Therapy animals must have good social skills and cannot be aggressive to animals or people in any situation. The dog must have polite leash skills including going out for a walk and walking through a crowd of people. Your pet can show interest in people but cannot jump or nip. Cats and bunnies do not have to act on command, but they should have basic obedience skills and an affinity to strangers. All therapy pets should respond well to loud noises and people approaching.
Therapy animals do not have the same access rights as Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals as stated in the Service and Emotional Support Animal housing laws. Therapy Animals are allowed access to public locations by courtesy. Therapy animals cannot travel in the cabin of an airline for free and are not exempt from pet restricted housing.
It is important for therapy animal handlers to understand the risks involved in being a volunteer. As a therapy animal handler, you are personally and legally responsible for damages and injuries area caused by either you or your animal. Register My Service Animal, LLC assumes no legal responsibility for the actions of you or your animal.
It is recommended that a liability insurance policy be purchased if you dog is functioning as a Therapy Animal.