Important Pet Partners Information
Please read before signing up for Workshop or Evaluation!
(For pdf versions, scroll to bottom.)
ElderPet currently offers “Pet Partners” workshops three times a year – in January, April, and September/ October. The Pet Partners workshop is for PEOPLE only – no pets allowed on this day. Pet Partners Animal/Handler Evaluations take place, by appointment only, on a Saturday two weeks following each workshop, either in Exeter or at UNH in Durham. During the session we evaluate you and your pet to determine how well you would work together as a team in situations that might be encountered on a typical “visit.”
The fee for the workshop is $75.00/person, which includes the textbooks, all materials, and the evaluation of ONE animal. (There is an extra $25 fee for each additional animal. Additional animals will be evaluated if we have space available.)
Once you complete the workshop and the evaluation, you will need to register with Delta Society as a Pet Partners Team. This requires paying additional fees directly to Delta. This registration is good for two years. The benefits to becoming a registered Delta Pet Partners Team, including liability insurance, are discussed during the workshop.
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Not every person, and certainly not every animal, makes a good visiting team. It depends on how comfortable you are volunteering in different settings, the skills and abilities of your pet, and how well the two of you work together. It also takes a certain amount of commitment, both up front and on-going. In order to help you decide whether or not you want to attend the Pet Partners Workshop, below is a list of the requirements necessary to become a registered Delta Society Pet Partners team.
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Your pet must be at least one year old.
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Your pet must have lived with you for at least six months.
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You must complete the Pet Partners workshop.
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You and your pet must be evaluated by a Delta Society licensed team evaluator and must receive a passing score on both the skills and aptitude tests.
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To receive a passing score, dogs must be able to perform basic obedience skills including sit, lie down, stay, and come when called, and have the appropriate temperament for visiting.
We recommend that dogs complete a Canine Good Citizen class, or at the very least a basic obedience course, prior to being evaluated for Pet Partners.
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Before your pet can be evaluated, you must show proof of rabies vaccination. This must be a certificate from your veterinarian; a rabies tag will not suffice.
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Prior to registering with Delta Society, you must have your veterinarian fill out a health screening form for your pet.
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You must submit all forms to Delta Society along with the appropriate fee (fee schedule will be provided to you during the workshop)
To register for an upcoming workshop, please print and fill out the workshop registration form and send it in with your payment. Payment is required to hold your spot.
Questions may be directed to Lisa Karakostas, Licensed Delta Society Pet Partners Instructor/Evaluator, at Lkarakostas@ehr.org.
Team Evaluation Information
We recommend not coming to the evaluation site any earlier than 10 to 15 minutes prior to your appointment, as there are times when we run behind schedule and, should that be the case, we do not want your pet to have to way an inordinate amount of time prior to being evaluated. (We do try our best to stay on schedule, so if we are running behind we ask for your patience and understanding.)
The evaluation itself will last about 15 to 20 minutes, but please plan on being at the evaluation site for about 45 minutes. Also, please be sure to bring your pet’s rabies certificate with you (rabies tags will not suffice). You can obtain the rabies certificate from your veterinarian. We cannot evaluate your animal without first seeing the rabies certificate! There will be NO exceptions. You will also need to bring your animal’s brush, as well as a completed copy of the “Handler Questionnaire” from your Pet Partners Renewal Packet or from the Delta Society website.
Please note that Delta stipulates that food treats and toy treats cannot be used during the evaluation session.
The following equipment has been deemed by Delta as acceptable to use during the evaluation session and
when visiting:
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Flat leather or cloth collar with buckle, snap, or quick release closures
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Limited slip collars such as martingales (as long as they do not have metal buckles or chain)
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Halties/Gentle Leaders/head collars
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Leather or cloth body harnesses
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Leather/cloth leash no longer than 6 ft.
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Front clip harnesses such as: the Freedom/Sense-ation/Sense-ible harnesses
Please note that whatever equipment you use during the evaluation session is what you will need to use while visiting, in order to be covered under Delta’s insurance policy should an incident occur.
Unacceptable equipment includes:
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Special training collars such as pinch, prong, electric, or spray collars
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Metal collars, harnesses
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Full slip collars of any type
Leashes of MORE than 6 ft. -
Retractable (Flexi) leads/leashes
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No- pull harnesses
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Muzzles
We will not be able to evaluate your animal if you are using any of the above designated “unacceptable” equipment.
As a reminder, dogs need to be able to perform basic commands (sit, down, stay, come when called, etc.) in order to pass the skills test. Failure to complete any of the exercises on the skills test will result in a “not ready” overall score.
Your pet will also be tested for temperament (i.e., reaction to another dog, accepting petting/hugging, accepting a treat from a friendly stranger, etc.) He/she will be allowed to receive up to three “not ready” scores on the aptitude (temperament) test and still receive an overall passing score.
Please remember that we are also evaluating you, to see how much control you have over your animal, and to determine how well the two of you work together.
Upon successful completion of the evaluation, you will receive instructions as to your “next steps.” You will need to submit your registration fee and all paperwork (from the back of your book or from your renewal packet) direction to Delta. You may register at a discounted rate as a Delta Society “affiliate” member. The name of our organization is ElderPet, and our address is 291 Mast Road, Durham, NH,03824 so be sure to write that on your application form. (If you are a senior or have a disability, Delta also offers discounts.)
If you are signing up for the evaluation only (not the workshop) see Evaluation Schedule.
If you have any questions please email Lkarakostas@ehr.org, Lisa Karakostas, Licensed Delta Society Pet Partners Instructor & Evaluator