Pet Partners of the Red River Valley FAQ

What is Pet Partners of the Red River Valley?
Pet Partners of the Red River Valley (PPRRV) is the local community partner of Pet Partners, an international therapy pet organization. Through Pet Partners, we help educate therapy pet teams and bring therapy pets to our community.

What does Pet Partners of the Red River Valley do?
The mission of Pet Partners of the Red River Valley is to enrich the lives of people and pets by providing opportunities for human-animal interactions while participating in educational, social, and therapeutic activities. For a more detailed overview of the program, check out this Facebook Live video of Amber Bach-Gorman, Pet Partners therapy pet team evaluator.

I do not currently have a registered pet.  Can I still join Pet Partners of the Red River Valley?
Yes!  Anyone who has a passion for therapy pets is welcome to join and participate in our monthly meetings and community events!  To become a member, just complete our membership application form and submit payment as indicated on the form.

What makes a good pet therapy team?
Therapy pet teams include both the (human) handler and pet components.  Handlers must have a strong relationship with their pet and need to know their pet and communication styles well.  Therapy pets must be able to follow basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, recall, loose-leash walking, etc) and just as importantly, they need to have a disposition that is well-suited for therapy pet work (calm, not overly reactive and just generally love to be around people)!

What are the differences between a therapy animal, assistance animal, and an emotional support animal?
Check out this webpage on the Pet Partners website for an overview of the different types of animals.

Where do volunteer therapy teams visit?
Our therapy pet teams visit schools, hospitals, libraries, elderly care centers, community events, and many more places!

How can I request a visit from therapy pet team?
Please complete the Request a Visit Form on our website.  

Is it required to become a member of Pet Partners of the Red River Valley to become a registered pet therapy team?
It is not required to join PPRRV to become a registered therapy pet team; however, we encourage you to do so to stay informed of latest happenings in the area and connect with a group of fun volunteers who are passionate about therapy pets!

I’m interested in becoming a registered therapy pet team, but I have no idea how to get started.  Where can I learn more?
The Pet Partners website offers several resources and step by step instructions on how to become a registered Pet Therapy Team.  One of the first steps you can do is complete the Pet Partners Pet Handler’s Course which is available within the Volunteer section of the Pet Partners website.  You will need to setup a profile to complete the course and access their Resource Library and Registration FAQ for more information.

I’ve completed my handler course.  Now what should I do?
Once you’ve completed your handler course and you feel you are ready to complete the evaluation, you can find and register for an evaluation on the Pet Partners website.  Evaluations are typically offered in the Fargo-Moorhead area every other month.  While waiting to complete your evaluation, continue to work with your animal following the Pet Partners tenets (you’ll learn much more about these in the Handler’s course) to prepare for your evaluation.  Visit pet-friendly businesses to get them accustomed to being around a variety of people and experiences.

Are there therapy pet training courses available in our area?
There are not currently any therapy pet training courses per se; however, for canines, there are several excellent dog training schools in the Fargo-Moorhead area.  AKC Kennel Club Trainers and other schools that offer the AKC Canine Good Citizen training and certification are great places to consider since the course covers a lot of the same obedience skills required for therapy pets.

How can I stay up to date on what is happening across the Pet Partners of the Red River Valley?

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and attend our monthly meetings (generally the first Sunday of each month at 3PM at SCHEELS Home & Hardware in Fargo, ND).

Can I donate to Pet Partners of the Red River Valley?

Donations can be made via PayPal or visit the Donate section of the Pet Partners website to make a contribution to the National organization.

Who can I contact with additional questions about Pet Partners of the Red River Valley or therapy pets?

Email petpartnersoftheredrivervalley@gmail.com or complete our Contact Us form.