Why Join Us?

The presence of a non-threatening, gentle therapy dog can help a hospitalized six-year-old feel less frightened.

For an isolated elder, sitting quietly with a therapy cat makes a long-term care facility feel more like home and less lonely. For an uncertain second grader, confidence in reading out loud increases when the listener is a calm, comforting therapy rabbit.

If you have a companion dog, cat, rabbit, or miniature horse that you would like to share this journey with, Heart to Heart invites you to join us. The requirements are stringent. The rewards life-changing.

•  Being part of a group whose members all cherish their relationship with their pet and want to share this love and comfort to improve the lives of others
• Intensive, focused training so that your partner and you will have safe, effective visits
• Having an experienced, caring Training Buddy who will be available to you for at least a year after joining Heart to Heart
• Ongoing education about visiting with specific populations (elderly, children, etc.)
• Knowing that the facility you visit has been carefully screened, ensuring that your partner and you will visit in a safe environment with patients and residents who will benefit from your visits
• Attending bi-monthly meetings where you can share your concerns as well as your joys

•  Dogs and cats must be at least 2 years of age. Rabbits must be at least 6 months of age.
• Cats and rabbits must be neutered/spayed.
• Dogs must be neutered/spayed or have earned the AKC title of Conformation Champion, and may not work when in estrus. 
• Pets must have been in the handler's household for a minimum of one year.
• As long as the therapy animal is visiting, s/he must remain in the same household as their certified handler.
• Therapy animals will be handled only by the Volunteer handler with whom the animal completed both the registration evaluation and the Heart to Heart training program.

• Handler: 18 years of age
• The handler must provide verification that the handler and dog have, as a team, successfully completed two group classes of formal obedience training (beyond puppy class).  

Please email us at info@HearttoHeartPetPartners.org  for an application