Pawsitive Works • Animal Assisted Activities • Pet Partners Team Training • Karen Schumacher • Bonners Ferry, Idaho • 208-946-3883

Therapy Dog Program       Based on the Delta Society's Pet Partner Program                 Youth in Need / Shelter Program       Youth in Need / Shelter Program                 News and Events       Happenings in Boundary and Bonner County, Idaho                 Preparing for Therapy Dog Certification       Your dog should know and follow basic "good manners"                 Training Your Future Therapy Dog       Start with a solid grasp of the basics and build on your success                 Links       Essential sources of knowledge and favorite sites               fargodigital         Therapy Dog Program     Karen evaluates owners and their dogs through the Delta Society's Pet Partner Program. The Pet Partners Program was established in 1990 to ensure that "both ends of the leash," people as well as animals, were well-prepared to participate in animal-assisted activity and animal-assisted therapy programs. Pet Partners is the only national registry that requires volunteer training and screening of animal/handler teams. After certification, therapy dogs and handlers - called Pet Partners - volunteer their time, comfort and assistance to a variety of individuals and institutions. Therapy Dogs Are Not Service Dogs Service Dogs are defined as dogs providing a specific service to an individual with disabilities. The have special rights by law to enter establishments that would otherwise not allow dogs. Many people are under the mistaken impression that therapy dogs and their handlers have the same rights of access as people with disabilities and their service animals. Therapy Pets The use of your dog as a Pet Partner is an ideal goal for many dog owners that see the benefits of visiting sick, elderly and challenged individuals. Karen has many years experience as both an evaluator and therapy pet partner. She is a professional dog trainer, and is the co-author of the book Therapy Pets - The Animal-Human Healing Partnership published by Prometheus Books. She would love to help you and your dog become Pet Partners! Our volunteer efforts include Nursing Homes Schools (canine reading programs!!) Hospice Hospitals Physical Rehabilitation Counseling and Family Intervention Programs Community Crisis Assistance Pawsitive Works can assist you and your community with the development of therapy programs and youth behavior modification programs. Our efforts rely on funding through donation, grants and fundraising efforts.           To make a difference in the lives of those needing the healing benefits of animals, please click our paw print button to make a donation to Pawsitive Works.               Thank you for your donation!