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FAITHFUL PAWS PET THERAPY PROGRAM was founded in June of 1997 and is sponsored by Bellaire United Methodist
Church. We visit facilities in and around Houston, Texas.
PURPOSE A team of organized volunteers involving the incorporation of trained animals
specifically designed to administer therapy to adults and children in nursing homes or hospitals and to share the love and
joy of God with the people we visit.
OBJECTIVES Animal assisted therapy is a scientifically proven form of therapy that is recognized as both therapeutic and recreational. INTERESTED IN JOINING US? Be sure and CONTACT US FIRST to get information on submitting the paperwork that is required before joining our classes. And be sure to read the RULES AND GUIDELINES page completely. We are all volunteers, and are sponsored by the Bellaire United Methodist Church in Bellaire, Texas (in the middle of Houston, Texas). Connie Richards, our founder and instructor, holds classes from 7:30 pm until about 9:00 every Tuesday evening except in December and January. Classes include some basic obedience and a lot of practice at socialization with people and other pets, and practice with things the pets may face on a visit to a facility. Most of our certified pets are dogs, but we also have cats, rabbits, and other furry or feathered friends. Dogs must pass the CGC (Canine Good Citizenship) test and/or temperament testing through our evaluator Vickey Willard. Cats, rabbits, and other small pets must pass temperament testing. Pets must be current on all vaccinations and there is a form to have your vet complete. All paperwork must be submitted before you will be added to the waiting list. There is no start or end date. Newcomers can begin class any time during the year. Contact us at info@FaithfulPawsHouston.com before coming to a class, because usually there is a waiting list, depending on the number in the present class. When you contact us, include your name and phone number, and pet's name and breed. Classes are ongoing, and testing for certification is held on an individual basis whenever the pet is ready to be tested. Some pets may take only a few classes, and some may take many months of training before they are ready to be certified. If a dog is already CGC certified, they will still have to attend at least one class, and a copy of their CGC certificate must be submitted with the rest of the paperwork. Pets may be any age to start classes, but must be at least 6 months old to become certified. Our group has about 40 facilities that our certified members visit – hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities, etc. Members are expected to visit at least monthly. More is better. Each facility has a team leader who coordinates the requirements for that facility. Some facilities require TB testing; some require special attire; some require additional training or orientation. Visits are done as a group with the team leader. Our therapy teams truly enjoy every visit, and our pets bring so
much joy to the residents of these facilities. If this sounds like something you might enjoy doing with your pet, we would
love to have you contact us. If you are interested in joining our classes, you can print out all the information and forms
from this web site. Thank you for your interest.
* By stroking an animal, the patient's blood pressure and heart rates are reduced. |
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