Requirements

 

MEMBERSHIP and CERTIFICATION

People and Pets
Our certification and testing process helps to ensure that the therapy visit will  be enjoyable and safe for all that participate, including the person being visited, the animal and the handler. Though the following steps toward active  membership may seem extensive; we believe the investment is necessary and  even find that the time and activities pass quickly. These requirements and   tests are designed to benefit Fur Angel members and the facilities we serve.  All potential volunteer teams must go through, complete and commit to the following process:

Schedule and pass a Pre-Test Evaluation of Orientation/Socialization screening session.

Provide a Vet Health Certification-Provide a copy of   the animals annual health     
certificate is due January 1 of each year. All vaccinations must be current including rabies,
DHLPP, Bordatella, and have   yearly Heartworm and fecal testing.

Provide prior Certification or  Registration-If not available scheduled testing will be
provided.  Certified  handlers must be at least 18 years of age for a dog and 14 years of
age with other than a dog.

Dogs must be at least 1 year of age to be certified.

Annual membership fee of $20.00-All memberships expire January first of each year.
Membership fee pays for group liability insurance.

Attendance-Attend our  monthly meeting-Thereafter attend regularly scheduled monthly
meetings at  least 75% but not less than 50% of the time. Bring provided calendars to each
meeting. Extenuating circumstances taken under consideration. Meeting are held the
second Friday of the month.  Please inquire for current meeting schedule. 
   
Attend TWO Facilities WITHOUT Your Angel- Applicants will go along with the Fur Angels
team on visits (without their  angel). This is an opportunity for the applicant to get an idea of
what the  facilities are like and to better evaluate if this will be a positive  experience for
their dog and themselves.

Attend TWO Facilities WITH your Angel-This  is an opportunity for you and your dog to
experience what an active volunteer is all about. The only way to tell if this is right for you
and your dog is  to experience it together. You will be supervised by a Fur Angel assigned
to  you for training purposes.   K-9 must have at least a CGC to go into  facilities.

Commitment-Commit to at least two (2) visits a month-Participate in a  minimum of two (2)
therapy visits a month. Each visit is approximately one (1) hour in duration. Calendars
and sign up sheets for time and location of regularly scheduled therapy visits available at
monthly meetings.  Participate in Special Events; whenever possible. Events (i.e. school 
assemblies, fundraiser, Memorial Day Parade etc.) are announced at the monthly
meetings. Sign up sheets will be made available.

Uniform  Requirements-A Fur Angel shirt of any type, black pants. All Fur Angel 
volunteers are responsible for payment of their personal Fur Angel T-shirt,  sweatshirts,
hats and fanny packs. The scarves are FREE to all K-9 partners.  The Angel should have
a Fur Angel scarf along with the red collar and leash.  Must be a Buckle or Slip Collar. NO
CHOKE, PRONG, PINCH OR CHAIN COLLARS are  to be worn in the facilities. Shirts and
scarves are available for purchase  at the monthly meetings or can be ordered. Payment in
full is required prior to ordering. If for some reason you are unable to purchase the 
above-mentioned requirements, please see the Director, Marti Hall for assistance.