New England Pet Partners, Inc.

Bringing People & Pets Together to Enhance Well-Being and Education

 with Pet-Assisted Therapy and Canine-Assisted Learning

 a smile, a word, a laugh

a deep breath, a hand reaching, a trust, a step forward,

a sense of self-worth, a walk outside, a small change that makes a big difference

Who We are:

TheraPet has evolved into New England Pet Partners, Inc., a non-profit, 501(c)(3) bringing people and pets together to enhance well-being and education with pet-assisted therapy.   

We adhere to the Standards and Practice of the Delta Society^® for Pet Partner Registration, Reading Education Assistance Dogs  and the Policies, Procedures and Canine-Assisted Learning Programs of New England Pet Partners, Inc.

Registered teams bring joy through visits to hospitals, rehabs, nursing homes, schools and libraries.  Health care teams work to create an integral treatment program designed to promote awareness, education and understanding to facilitate recovery and rehabilitation for children, groups, families and others with transitional, emotional and physical challenges.

Our Services:

• NEPP Brochure     

• Pet-Assisted Therapy Dog Training (otherless specified, integrated into Level 1, 2, 3 training at Dog Talk)

• Program Development & Pet Partner Training

• Team Handler Skills Training & Support

• Team Evaluations / Instruction / Registered Teams

• Visitation Program (registered teams)

• R.E.A.D. Training and Registered Teams (Reading Education Assistance Dogs)

• How to Become a Pet Partner

What is Animal-Assisted Activities or Pet-Assisted Therapy?

AAA provides opportunities for motivational, educational and/or recreational benefits to enhance a person's well-being.  It is offered by a registered team in hospitals, nursing facilities, rehabs and more.  This professional volunteer team has met criteria as defined by Delta's standards and practice.

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy or Pet-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-Assisted Therapy is a directed intervention that utilizes specially trained pets such as dogs, cats or alternative animal species as catalysts to meet specific therapeutic goals.   

Pet-Assisted Therapy is delivered by a specialist, who in the scope of his/her professional practice includes pets, which meet specific criteria to participate as part of the treatment plan.  This specialist demonstrates expertise and skill with regard to human / animal interactions and clinical applications.  This individual complies with the legal and ethical requirements of his/her profession.

What are the Benefits?

Animals have benefited man since the beginning of time as working companions and friends. Today, we recognize the numerous benefits of owning a pet such as giving us a sense of well-being, safety, lowering our blood pressure and making us feel needed and important.  With our pets, we are never alone.  We know that integrating pets as catalysts in appropriate therapeutic environments enhances traditional therapies and recovery.

Animal-Assisted Therapy does not take the place of therapy or therapeutic intervention.  It is an adjunct, that when used appropriately, allows therapists to use one modality to target a variety of functional goals.  In a few sessions, a skilled therapist, can begin a connection (trust) as well as address physical and emotional goals in a package that is delivered by a skilled team consisting of a human and a pet!  

Animal-Assisted Therapy benefits a wide spectrum of populations (individuals and groups)

 to enhance recovery by . . . 

• Improving a patient's strength and endurance, range of motion, balance and mobility

• Improving physical, psychosocial and/or cognitive function of people who are being treated

• Making a connection and building trust that is sometimes lost between patient and human

• Enhancing psychosocial benefits such as building rapport, increasing self-esteem, 

  motivation and reducing stress

• Enhancing quality of life, offering support through difficult transitions and teaching life management skills

What is Animal-Assisted Activities (or visitation programs) and how does this differ from Animal-Assisted Therapy?

A visitation program or animal-assisted activities occurs when a carefully screened and trained pet accompanies her/his owner/handler to a facility to visit with patients (usually as volunteers).  The main goal of this type of program is socialization.  The teams provide opportunities for motivational, educational and recreational benefits.  The pets encourage smiles, touch and a sense of community.  

The team must still meet a certain criteria that will inspire safety and confidence regarding health, grooming, behavior and social skills.  The team delivers interactions that can enhance existing programs in schools, healthcare facilities and other residential locations.  

Animal-Assisted therapy is a goal directed intervention by a healthcare professional who, with their own pet or a skilled team, works toward optimum recovery on a committed basis with a specific patient or group.   

The Benefits of using Trained, Registered Teams

Teams that participate in AAT programs might be placed in very stressful, sometimes unpredictable situations when they work with patients.  The environments have a variety of sights, sounds, smells and spontaneous, sometimes peculiar behaviors.  A well trained dog who has been desensitized to all of these will rely on his owner for guidance.  A trained team that has taken the initiative to work with distractions and get registered will be able to handle precarious situations in a proactive, predictable way.  This takes confidence and a solid relationship between owner and dog (or other species).

Health Screening for Pets and Owners

The veterinarian screens the prospective therapy dogs for intestinal parasites, overall good health, teeth and gums, healthy coat and skin condition and necessary "core" vaccinations (Distemper, Parvo, Rabies) and Bordatella, Lyme & Corona when necessary for their geographical areas.  The human side of the team should also be in good health, presenting themselves in a professional, savvy manner. 

What Animals are Appropriate for Inclusion into a Program?

The most popular for AAT programs are dogs and cats.  Many other species may be beneficial.  These include, but are not limited to, birds, rabbits, horses, llamas and goats.  The size and location of the facility, the patient population and the availability of appropriately skilled teams are a few factors to consider when choosing which "team" will be successfully utilized.

How do I set up an AAT (or as NEPP calls it PAT) Program?

To set up a successful PAT program, the facility's administration must begin with a well organized plan, and someone who will oversee the plan.  This should include:

• Clearly written policies and procedures

• Staff education about the proposed program

• Volunteer recruitment and training (for visiting programs)

• A plan for testing and training of the potential teams (this will require a licensed team instructor and evaluator.

• A plan for implementation of the program and with what patients / groups

• For more detailed information on implementing a animal-assisted therapy program, please New England Pet Partners, Inc. at 603-635-3647 or visit New Engalnd Pet Partners.

• For More information about The Delta Society and valuable information about becoming a Registered Pet Partner.   

• Interested in the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), go to therapyanimals. 

• E-mail us at neppnh@comcast.net

R.E.A.D. and Canine-Assisted Learning

Reading Education Assistance Dogs is based in Utah.  The program offers training, in addition to our Pet-Therapy Training to register as a R.E.A.D. team who visits schools and libraries to enhance children's reading skills. 

Canine-Assisted Learning (NEPP) 

It gives me great pleasure to extend the benefits of what I had, as a child growing up with dogs, of Registered Therapy Teams offering Canine-Assisted Learning.  CAL uses dogs as a catalyst to motivate children and teens to enhance reading, writing and learning skills.  There is a broad range of situations where dogs can help to break down barriers of communication and help a child enhance learning skills   

The Canine Assisted Learning Program was founded on the principle that there is a definite link between how we treat other species and how we ultimately treat each other.  Children can learn in an environment that actualizes a harmonious human / animal / nature / nurture relationship.  The lessons learned with dogs become a significant role-model for children to begin establishing more positive communication skills and relationships with humans, animals and their environment.   

If you would like more information please call Maureen at 603-635-3647 or journey to New England Pet Partners.

Tia's Resume

Former racer

Companion Dog

Registered therapy dog

Puppy Trainer

My therapist!

Kindred soul

Knowing Keeper of secrets--