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FAQs - Therapy
Who is Love on A Leash?
Love On a Leash was founded in 1984 by Liz Palika
an award winning author and dog obedience instructor who introduced the concept of pet provided therapy to the residents of
north San Diego County, California. The organization was incorporated in 1995 as the Foundation for pet Provided Therapy and
is a California public-benefit nonprofit organization. It is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Currently,
there are over 900 members in 28 states.
What is the Love On A Leash Program?
The Love On a Leash Program provides training,
evaluation and certification procedures for therapy pets and their owners . Certified Love On a Leash
teams bring the physical and emotional benefits of human-animal interactions to people in a variety of educational and
healthcare settings. A person and his animal can register as a Love On a Leash team when the person and the
animal have completed the training and evaluation requirements.
What types of animals may be registered
with Love On a Leash?
In addition to dogs and cats, these species of animals
may become certified Love On a Leash teams: Birds, Rabbits, Goats, Hamsters, Domestic Rats, Llamas, Guinea
Pigs, Ducks, Horses, Cows, Miniature Pigs and Chickens. (Wild or exotic animals such as snakes, ferrets and lizards
are not eligible. Wild or exotic animals are not legally acceptable as pets in many states.)
What makes an animal eligible for
registration?
Dogs and cats must have lived with the owner for at
least 6 months and must be at least 1 year old. (Pocket pets and Rabbits must be at least 6 months old. Birds
must have lived with the owner for at least a year.) Handlers must be at least 10 years old with parental permission
to be evaluated.
Are any breeds excluded from becoming
a certified Love On a Leash team?
A dog of any breed or mix of breeds may participate,
assuming that its presence does not violate local animal control laws or county laws.
Can animals with disabilities become
a Love On a Leash teammate?
Yes. The animal's regular veterinarian, consulting
with the handler during the required health screening will determine whether the animal is physically able to participate
in the evaluation and subsequently the Pet Partners program.
What characteristics should a Love
On a Leash animal possess?
A Pet Partner is "Reliable, Predictable and Controllable".
A reliable animal has both solid temperament and solid training and can be relied upon to behave well. A predictable
animal has reactions which are predictable and within an acceptable range. A controllable animal remains well under
the handler's command even in odd situations or an emergency.
What is the Love On a Leash evaluation
like?
The evaluation consists of two parts: The Control
Evaluation (which may be administered by a veterinarian, behaviorist,or professional dog obedience instructor or trainer) and
the 10 Hour Visit Record (which must be completed within one year from the date of the Control Evaluation.)
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