Purpose
The purpose of our program is to demonstrate the benefits of human-animal interaction
through the development and maintenance of community programs. These therapeutic programs
enhance our clients’ daily living through interactions with animals whose unconditional
acceptance promotes health and well-being. Tiger HATS also encourages an interdisciplinary
approach by social and healthcare professionals to human-animal interactions and their
benefits. The Animal Assisted Therapy Program provides the opportunity to achieve
therapeutic rewards from human to animal bonds through a goal-oriented approach. These
goals are set for each individual program.
Volunteers
Volunteers must complete approximately two hours of training, during which they are
taught the guidelines of Tiger HATS and protocols of facilities, as well as what to
expect in each facility and what is expected of them as volunteers.
In order to be a member of LSU’s Tiger HATS program you must go through the Pet Partners
program of training and evaluation. You can research the Pet Partners program at petpartners.org.
The program requires:
- The handler of the dog to take a handler's course.
- The dog and the handler must go through an evaluation to make sure they are suited
for the program.
The Handler's class can be taken online on the Pet Partners
The evaluation can be scheduled on the website as well.
Animals
All animals are medically screened by a veterinarian utilizing the Tiger HATS health
screening form. A current vaccination history of the animal needs to be provided by
the attending veterinarian. Tiger HATS animals are also temperament tested by an obedience
trainer or a certified evaluator utilizing the Tiger HATS temperament testing form;
this test ensures that the animal is suited for the Tiger HATS purpose.
All dogs in the program must know basic commands and be well behaved. The dog must
be at least one year of age and have lived with the owner for at least 6 months.
Dog Requirements necessary:
- Sit command
- Down command
- Stay command
- Come command
- Walk on a loose leash
- Leave it alone command
- Be well socialized
- Get along well with other animals
Once the handler and dog have passed the Handler's course and the evaluation, the
handler must become a member of Pet Partners due to an insurance policy they supply.
The Tiger HATS program then assigns visits to the team in hospitals, nursing homes,
etc.
Costs
$75 for Handler Class
$35 for evaluation
$75 for Pet Partners membership
$10 for Per Partners dog membership
