Animal-Assisted Interactions (AAI)

When pets visit medical care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, they bring with them unconditional love and proven medical benefits. An affectionate, trained companion animal is of immense emotional help to patients and can lead to improvements in physical and mental health.

Top: AAI prep school students.

Bottom: OHS AAI Pet Partners Tinker and Bell.

OHS can help volunteers interested in this rewarding field in two ways:

If you and your pet are registered to provide services, we can help match you with a facility that would like a visit. Contact the OHS Behavior Department, (503) 285-7722, ext. 225.

If you are not registered, we can help train you and your pet and become registered.

The AAI prep school at OHS prepares individuals and their animals to take the national Pet Partner Skills & Aptitude Evaluation exam administered by the Delta Society. Pet Partner teams that pass the exam are recognized as having the skills need to bring pets into health care facilities, libraries, schools and other organizations.

The OHS AAI prep school classes and Fast Track workshops are taught by Lori Kirby, CPDT (certified pet dog trainer) and licensed Delta Society Pet Partner Team Evaluator and Instructor.

Requirements for the AAI Program

All pets must be spayed or neutered and fully-vaccinated in order to participate. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
At the time of your evaluation your pet must be at least one year of age. You may still participate in the prep school even if your pet is under one year.
Your pet is required to have lived with you for at least 6 months at the time you begin your class.
If you wish to visit facilities in the community as an OHS volunteer, you will also need to complete the OHS New Volunteer Orientation which is offered monthly. Please note, you do not have to volunteer in the shelter as an OHS AAI volunteer unless you wish to do so.

Price

If you are a current, active Oregon Humane Society (OHS) volunteer at the time your class begins, the 5-week prep school and evaluation costs $225. As a volunteer you will receive an embroidered OHS AAI vest for your dog as well as the course manual free of charge - a savings of $70.
For non-volunteers the cost is $225 for the prep course with an additional charge of $40 for your course manual.
Cost for our one-day Fast Track Workshop is $180 plus an additional course manual purchase of $40.
If you attend the prep course and your pet does not pass the evaluation, you will not be refunded your tuition cost. However, you will have had a great opportunity to learn about your dog and develop your dog-handling skills.

2010 Class Schedule

Check out our class schedule and how to register.

Share the love! - Donate to the Animal-Assisted Interactions Program

Would you like to support the Animal-Assisted Interactions Program? By contributing, you will help us provide more Pet Partner teams for facilities in our community. OHS receives no state or federal funding making our revenue completely service and donation-based. Your tax-deductible donation allows us to offer valuable programs like this.

Send donations to

Attention: Animal-Assisted Interactions Program

Oregon Humane Society

PO BOX 11364

1067 NE Columbia Blvd.

Portland, OR 97211

Vehicle!