Frequently Asked Questions
Now That I’m Registered, What Do I Do?
A Guide for Newly-Registered Handlers
A Guide for Newly-Registered Handlers
Q: Do I contact facilities directly to schedule visits?
A: Yes. You will contact the facility directly to set up your visit schedule. We have a list of facilities and contact info available for our MCPP members. Please email our Facilities Coordinator at facilities@musiccitypetpartners.org for more information.
Q: How often should I visit facilities and how long should each visit be?
A: How often you visit is entirely up to you! Our teams visit facilities weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. The duration of your visit depends on your pet partner. An average visit runs 1-1 ½ hours. Pet Partners' policy indicates visits should not exceed 2 hours. To read Pet Partners' Volunteer Policies and Procedures, visit: https://petpartners.org/volunteer/our-therapy-animal-program/volunteer-policies-procedures.
Q: I'm interested in a facility. Who should I contact at the facility?
A: Ask for the facility's Volunteer Coordinator or Activities Coordinator to schedule your visits. If the facility does not have a Volunteer or Activities Coordinator, ask the receptionist to direct you to the appropriate person of contact.
Q: I'm interested in a facility. How can I tell if it will be a safe environment for my dog?
A: Contact the facility to schedule a tour without your dog. During the facility tour, take notes about the floor: Can your dog walk without slipping and sliding? Where can you take your dog on a potty break? Where is the restroom for you? Also notice the overall ambiance - is it loud and chaotic with a lot of people moving around or is it fairly quiet? Is there moving equipment or machinery, so that your dog's paws don't get run over? Does the facility require using an elevator or escalator for visits, and if so, is your dog comfortable doing so?
Q: Can I take photos during my visits?
A: Photos are permitted at some facilities - make sure to check and always ask permission. If you have a photo that you would like shared on our website or social media (currently, Facebook and Instagram) and it has any faces clearly displayed, you have a couple options:
1. Have each person in the photo sign the Pet Partners photo release available in the Volunteer Center (download it here).
2. Crop or blur any client faces shown in the photo.
3. Submit a photo of just you and your pet next to the facility sign or within the facility.
NOTE: Some facilities prohibit any photos from being taken to protect the privacy of their patients/residents. If you are not sure whether taking photos is allowed, please ask the facility contact.
Q: I have a heartwarming photo of my pet interacting with a patient. Where can I send it to be posted on our website?
A: Please email it to info@musiccitypetpartners.org.
Q: I have a cute photo of my pet visiting. Where can I send it to be posted on the Music City Pet Partners Facebook page?
A: Please email it to info@musiccitypetpartners.org.
Q: Do you ever do special events and how can I sign up for those opportunities?
A: Yes, we love being involved in community festivals and special events whenever possible! These opportunities and requests for teams will be sent to members. If you are interested in the event, simply reply back to the emailed request to sign up!
Q: I’m interested in Read With Me / Walk With Me programs. How do I sign up and do I need additional training to participate in these programs?
A: To learn more about the Pet Partners Read With Me initiative click on the hyperlink. Interested in joining MCPP's Read With Me program? Please send an email to info@musiccitypetpartners.org, which will be routed to Debbie Ament de Nunez, our Read with Me Coordinator.
A: Yes. You will contact the facility directly to set up your visit schedule. We have a list of facilities and contact info available for our MCPP members. Please email our Facilities Coordinator at facilities@musiccitypetpartners.org for more information.
Q: How often should I visit facilities and how long should each visit be?
A: How often you visit is entirely up to you! Our teams visit facilities weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. The duration of your visit depends on your pet partner. An average visit runs 1-1 ½ hours. Pet Partners' policy indicates visits should not exceed 2 hours. To read Pet Partners' Volunteer Policies and Procedures, visit: https://petpartners.org/volunteer/our-therapy-animal-program/volunteer-policies-procedures.
Q: I'm interested in a facility. Who should I contact at the facility?
A: Ask for the facility's Volunteer Coordinator or Activities Coordinator to schedule your visits. If the facility does not have a Volunteer or Activities Coordinator, ask the receptionist to direct you to the appropriate person of contact.
Q: I'm interested in a facility. How can I tell if it will be a safe environment for my dog?
A: Contact the facility to schedule a tour without your dog. During the facility tour, take notes about the floor: Can your dog walk without slipping and sliding? Where can you take your dog on a potty break? Where is the restroom for you? Also notice the overall ambiance - is it loud and chaotic with a lot of people moving around or is it fairly quiet? Is there moving equipment or machinery, so that your dog's paws don't get run over? Does the facility require using an elevator or escalator for visits, and if so, is your dog comfortable doing so?
Q: Can I take photos during my visits?
A: Photos are permitted at some facilities - make sure to check and always ask permission. If you have a photo that you would like shared on our website or social media (currently, Facebook and Instagram) and it has any faces clearly displayed, you have a couple options:
1. Have each person in the photo sign the Pet Partners photo release available in the Volunteer Center (download it here).
2. Crop or blur any client faces shown in the photo.
3. Submit a photo of just you and your pet next to the facility sign or within the facility.
NOTE: Some facilities prohibit any photos from being taken to protect the privacy of their patients/residents. If you are not sure whether taking photos is allowed, please ask the facility contact.
Q: I have a heartwarming photo of my pet interacting with a patient. Where can I send it to be posted on our website?
A: Please email it to info@musiccitypetpartners.org.
Q: I have a cute photo of my pet visiting. Where can I send it to be posted on the Music City Pet Partners Facebook page?
A: Please email it to info@musiccitypetpartners.org.
Q: Do you ever do special events and how can I sign up for those opportunities?
A: Yes, we love being involved in community festivals and special events whenever possible! These opportunities and requests for teams will be sent to members. If you are interested in the event, simply reply back to the emailed request to sign up!
Q: I’m interested in Read With Me / Walk With Me programs. How do I sign up and do I need additional training to participate in these programs?
A: To learn more about the Pet Partners Read With Me initiative click on the hyperlink. Interested in joining MCPP's Read With Me program? Please send an email to info@musiccitypetpartners.org, which will be routed to Debbie Ament de Nunez, our Read with Me Coordinator.