AAI - Animal - Assisted Interactions

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.

 

AAI prep school students.       OHS AAI Pet Parnters: Tinker and Bell OHS AAI volunteers Carol and Steve Doty make visits in the community with these cuties.

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 animals into health care facilities.

 

AAI dog visits patient.

The OHS course is taught by Lori Kirby, an OHS Training and Behavior Specialist who is a licensed Delta Society Pet Partner Team Evaluator.

 

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.

Cost: 

• If you are a current, active Oregon Humane Society (OHS) volunteer at the time your class begins, the 5-week prep course and evaluation costs $200.  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 $200 for the prep course with an additional charge of $40 for your course manual. 
• 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. 

 

To look at upcoming classes or to register, please click here.  Online registration for the first two rounds of class is now open!  If you have questions, please call Lori Kirby at (503) 802-6713.