The Hudson Valley Humane Society Visiting Pet Program, founded in 1993,
provides Animal Assisted Therapy, Animal Assisted Activity, and Animal
Assisted Education to facilities in Rockland and Orange Counties in
New York and Bergen County, New Jersey.
Our volunteers and their calm, friendly, healthy dogs, cats, birds,
rabbits, and other pets visit hospitals, schools, nursing homes, adult
day programs, group homes, psychiatric facilities, assisted living, and
other facilities.
Medical research shows that pets provide important companionship, lower
blood pressure and stress levels, alleviate depression, and improve overall
health. Pets who visit nursing homes and other long-term care facilities effectively
reduce the loneliness of residents. Thanks to its increasing popularity,
"pet therapy" is one of America's fastest-growing
volunteer activities.
All of our pet/handler teams go through rigorous evaluations and training provided
by Delta Society, an international organization that fosters the human/animal bond.
The HVHS Visiting Pet Program is a Delta Society affiliate. For a wealth of information
about Animal Assisted Therapy, go to the Delta Society website,
http://www.deltasociety.org
Workshops and evaluations sponsored by the HVHS Visiting Pet Program are listed on
the Delta Society website. In addition to completing Delta Society workshops and evaluations, dog/handler
teams go through additional training and screening provided by the HVHS Visiting
Pet program.
All of the pet/handler teams in our program are covered by Delta Society liability
insurance and Hudson Valley Humane Society liability insurance. All pet/handler teams
are tested by Delta Society evaluators every two years, and all have up-to-date veterinary exams.
The HVHS Visiting Pet Program is a volunteer activity. We do not charge for our
services. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Those without pets or whose pets
are not appropriate for this activity act as escorts on visits, help conduct evaluations,
and participate in other Visiting Pet Program events. Children age 10 to 15 can make
visits with their pets if accompanied by a responsible adult who goes through the training
and testing with the pet/handler team and participates in all visits.
Dogs and cats must be 1 year old or older to be registered therapy pets. Dogs need
basic obedience. The American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is
excellent preparation for the skills portion of the Delta Society evaluation.
The CGC test is offered by many dog trainers who teach group obedience classes.
There is no maximum age for therapy pets so long as they are active, interested,
and have their veterinarians' approval.
If you have a calm, friendly, healthy dog, cat, bird, rabbit, or other domestic pet
and would like to share your pet's love with others, if you would like to volunteer
without a pet partner, or if you would like more information, contact:
