Frequently Asked Questions
Interested in becoming a registered therapy team with your pet?
A Guide for Prospective Handlers
A Guide for Prospective Handlers
Q: How do I know if my pet is ready to be a therapy animal?
A: Take this quiz put together by Pet Partners to see if volunteer as a therapy animal is a good fit for your pet.
Q: What are the steps to becoming a registered therapy team with my pet?
A: Follow this link to learn more about the Pet Partners Volunteer Program. Click here for a summary of steps to become a team. Additional information can be found on the Pet Partners website at www.petpartners.org.
Q: How do I know if my pet qualifies to be a registered therapy animal?
A: Click here for the Pet Partners program requirements for prospective therapy animals.
Q: I'm interested in becoming a registered therapy team with my pet, which is not a dog. What other species can be a registered therapy animal?
A: Pet Partners currently registers 9 different species: dogs, cats, equines (including mini equines), guinea pigs, birds, rabbits, llamas and alpacas, mini pigs, and rats.
Q: The Therapy Animal Handler Workshop in-person handler course vs. online Handler Course - which is the better option?
A: MCPP members, instructors, and evaluators all recommend taking this workshop in person! There is nothing like real-life experience, and our Instructors have got it. Jenyfer Lindahl has been a registered Pet Partner since 2002, and our other Instructors have had years of handling time! They’ll share stories from "in the trenches." You’ll hear first-hand what it's like at the end of the leash. Additional reasons why the in-person option is recommended:
1. During the full day Therapy Animal Handler Workshop, you have the opportunity to see a complete Team Evaluation, instead of simply watching a series of videos on the exercises you'll be tested on in your Team Evaluation. Our Evaluators are members of Music City Pet Partners and, along with a registered Pet Partners Handler Team, will conduct a mock Evaluation, where you can see exactly what will occur on your big day. No surprises here!
2. You will have questions, we'll have answers! Our Instructors love to share their knowledge and experience, so bring all the questions you want! Someone in the room will certainly know the answer. Better yet, some of our Instructors have been registered handlers for so long, we have the answers to questions you didn't realize needed to be asked!
3. Make new friends! What better way to meet other like-minded people than to spend all day gaining knowledge about an interesting subject with fascinating future teammates? We’ll have members of Music City Pet Partners on hand to greet you and tell you what a fun group we are. Come join us!
4. Entertainment! Our Instructors have great senses of humor. You will be so busy laughing and learning that the time will just fly. You’ll want to stay longer!
5. Snacks! Learning is hungry work. We have nibbles and mingle time. All of the above is included in the $70 class fee!
A: Take this quiz put together by Pet Partners to see if volunteer as a therapy animal is a good fit for your pet.
Q: What are the steps to becoming a registered therapy team with my pet?
A: Follow this link to learn more about the Pet Partners Volunteer Program. Click here for a summary of steps to become a team. Additional information can be found on the Pet Partners website at www.petpartners.org.
Q: How do I know if my pet qualifies to be a registered therapy animal?
A: Click here for the Pet Partners program requirements for prospective therapy animals.
Q: I'm interested in becoming a registered therapy team with my pet, which is not a dog. What other species can be a registered therapy animal?
A: Pet Partners currently registers 9 different species: dogs, cats, equines (including mini equines), guinea pigs, birds, rabbits, llamas and alpacas, mini pigs, and rats.
Q: The Therapy Animal Handler Workshop in-person handler course vs. online Handler Course - which is the better option?
A: MCPP members, instructors, and evaluators all recommend taking this workshop in person! There is nothing like real-life experience, and our Instructors have got it. Jenyfer Lindahl has been a registered Pet Partner since 2002, and our other Instructors have had years of handling time! They’ll share stories from "in the trenches." You’ll hear first-hand what it's like at the end of the leash. Additional reasons why the in-person option is recommended:
1. During the full day Therapy Animal Handler Workshop, you have the opportunity to see a complete Team Evaluation, instead of simply watching a series of videos on the exercises you'll be tested on in your Team Evaluation. Our Evaluators are members of Music City Pet Partners and, along with a registered Pet Partners Handler Team, will conduct a mock Evaluation, where you can see exactly what will occur on your big day. No surprises here!
2. You will have questions, we'll have answers! Our Instructors love to share their knowledge and experience, so bring all the questions you want! Someone in the room will certainly know the answer. Better yet, some of our Instructors have been registered handlers for so long, we have the answers to questions you didn't realize needed to be asked!
3. Make new friends! What better way to meet other like-minded people than to spend all day gaining knowledge about an interesting subject with fascinating future teammates? We’ll have members of Music City Pet Partners on hand to greet you and tell you what a fun group we are. Come join us!
4. Entertainment! Our Instructors have great senses of humor. You will be so busy laughing and learning that the time will just fly. You’ll want to stay longer!
5. Snacks! Learning is hungry work. We have nibbles and mingle time. All of the above is included in the $70 class fee!
** NOTE: A list of upcoming Therapy Animal Handler Workshop dates will be listed on our EVENTS page; registration for each date opens 30 days prior to the event.