Therapy teams are in great need in Las Vegas and facilities are looking to add to their roster of animals. When approached by a new facility to participate, a therapy program needs to make an assessment and determine if this particular environment is right for their team – human and animal volunteers.
What to look for in a new partnership:
- Strategic fit - does this facility fit the mission and strategic goals of the individual therapy program. For example if the program concentrates on Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) versus Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA), does this facility offer the opportunity to advance this goal? If the program concentrates on youth at risk, does this facility fulfill these criteria?
- Client base - is this a population your volunteers are familiar with, trained to work with and capable of being part of the care team?
- Population turnover – do the handlers and animals prefer to see the same clients every time or comfortable with a changing population?
- Location - Is the location suitable for the volunteers. Is there adequate parking and places for the animals to eliminate?
- Staffing - is the staff and administration positive about bringing in the program and happy to have the animals on site? Are they willing to help carve out a program and participate when needed?
- Facility - is the facility clean and conducive to having animals. Is the floor slick or carpeted? Do the animals need to take elevators? Is there a community room or area to gather several clients at one time?Will the animals be in one place or required to walk around? Can several animals work at once or is the focus one-on-one?
- Program Status - is this a facility that already has an existing program or would you be starting a new one. If there is an existing program do you want to “share” the facility or be “exclusive?”
- Facility Level - is the facility a Predictable or Complex environment (For Delta Pet Partners teams only) which would determine which volunteer teams could participate?
- Requested frequency - what is the frequency requested of the volunteer teams. How many teams would you need to fulfill the commitment. Is this a one-off program or continuing?
- Species - are they open to dogs, cats, horses or just interested in one species?
- Volunteer availability – is the schedule of the facility in line with the availability of the suitable teams?
If all of these criteria are met then a program can be established that is beneficial for the clients, staff and volunteers – and of course the animals.
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