Animal-Assisted Interactions (AAI)

 

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What is AAI?

Information about AAI training classes at OHS

Price Information

Program Requirements

Class Schedule

 

 

What is it?

 

When pets visit public facilities such as hospitals and libraries, they bring with them unconditional love and proven psychological and medical benefits. A vist from an affectionate, trained companion animal and his or her handler is of immense emotional help to children and adults. AAI has been shown to enhance both physical and mental health.

 

	Top: AAI prep school students. Bottom: OHS AAI Pet Partners Tinker and Bell.

The Oregon Humane Society can help individuals interested in this rewarding practice in several ways:

 

 

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

 

Our services are available a la carte or together.

 

We offer training for both you and your pet so that you can become registered with the national organization - the Delta Society. We offer manual training for people, dog training instruction for people with dogs, as well as practice lab sessions if you need to brush up your skills before it's time to evaluate.

 

 

I. Pet Partner Training Class-The Manual

All day workshop

 

Come to our all day class and learn what you need to know as an animal-assisted interactions pet handler. Build skills for working with people, managing your pet to perform best, and understand how to be safe while helping others. As part of your all day class, you will receive the official Pet Partners Manual from the Delta Society. For the book portion of training, the cost is per person. This class includes one evaluation at a later date for which you can sign up at class.

 

 

II. Pet Partner Prep School

Specialized Dog Training (4 weeks of class)

 

Just as important as book knowledge is hands-on training with your pet. 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 are taught by Lori Kirby, CPDT (certified pet dog trainer) who is a licensed Delta Society Pet Partner Team Evaluator and Instructor. For prep school classes, the cost is per dog. So a couple may attend for one fee with their dog.

 

 

III. Practice Labs - One hour sessions

Time to work on tricky parts of the evaluation!

 

In our practice labs, you can come and spend an hour working on any parts of the evaluation that may prove more challenging for you or your pet. Spend time with our program leader and get feedback and instruction regarding how to perform best and uphold pet partner team requirements. For the lab practice sessions, the spay/neuter requirement does not apply. Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations for parvo, distemper, bordatella and rabies. The cost for a practice lab session is per dog, so a couple may attend with their dog for one fee.

 

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Prices

 

• All-Inclusive AAI Package- If you sign up for our all-inclusive AAI package, this is what you get for one fee of $225:
1. A full day of Manual Training with a licensed Delta Society instructor
2. Four weeks of hands-on training with your dog (Saturdays, 11:00 - 11:45 am)
3. The Delta Society Pet Partner Team Manual (normally an additional cost of $40)
4. A final evaluation to determine if you are eligible to become registered as a Pet Partner team with the Delta Soclety.
5. Access to one practice lab session as needed at no additional cost

 

• Practice Labs: Cost for our practice lab is $25 per dog.

 

• Manual Training only (without dog training portion) $125 per person

 

• Hands-On Dog Training Prep School (4 weeks with dog plus evaluation) $125 per dog

 

• Please know, 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 with support from our trainers. 

 

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Requirements for AAI Classes

 

• All pets in our AAI Prep School classes 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.

 

 

 

2010 AAI Class Schedule & Online Registration

 

Check out our upcoming AAI class schedule and sign up now!

 

 

 

Call us if you have any questions (503) 802-6713

 

 

 

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