A Tough Day At The (Pet Partners Evaluation) Office

As a licensed evaluator for Pet Partners, I can tell you that I want each team to succeed. All the volunteers want to see each team pass their evaluation and embark on a rewarding tenure as a therapy pet team.

I’m committed and obligated, however, to maintain the high standards established by Pet Partners when deciding if a team is ready for this vocation. So unfortunately, that means having to say no.

At a recent evaluation there were nearly as many teams that received a “Not Ready” score as those who passed. There were even a couple of established teams that were being re-evaluated that did not pass. For me, those are the hardest to handle.

I’ve always admired the fact that Pet Partners requires teams to be re-evaluated every two years. Let’s remember we are asking to bring animals into hospitals, assisted-living facilities, hospice units and schools. These handler/animal teams must be solid and safe for those that we visit. As animals get holder, personalities change. A 10-year-old dog may not be as receptive to a child running up and throwing his arms around him as he was when he was younger. Did the dog have a negative experience with someone using a cane that he now associates with anyone using medical equipment?

It would be easy just to pass everyone, although if I did I would lose my license. The standards established by Pet Partners are at a high level for a good reason. We must set teams up for success as they go into various environments and provide the great benefits of pet therapy.