OCSPCA

Orange County Animal Allies
Spring 2020

PAWS Program Schedule

The Orange County SPCA’s pet-assisted therapy dog program, PAWS, has openings for volunteer/dog teams to visit hospitals, nursing homes, Corporate/Business wellness events, schools and children’s homes throughout Orange County. The following training/evaluation process must be completed: Orientation (no dogs),  Practice Evaluation/Observation (with dog), Test & Evaluation (with dog), 1 hour Training and Handling Class, and a 4-6 month probationary period. There is an initial program fee of $70-$100 to be paid at the Evaluation which covers: Program entrance and enrollment fees, Volunteer t-shirt, Team dog bandanna and the PAWS Volunteer Manual. All volunteers must complete and satisfy a background investigation prior to their first visit.

$40 Required Membership fee
($60 for family/couple) will be collected online with your signup.

**ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!!!
SPACE IS LIMITED AND FILLS QUICKLY**
 

TEAMS MUST COMPLETE REGISTRATION FORM BELOW TO ATTEND ORIENTATION. SPOTS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE

 


Orientation (No dogs please)
Wednesday, February 19
th
2020

Orientation: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (No dogs)
Orientation Location: : Orange County Animal Allies Offices – 1261 S. Lyon St. #401, Santa Ana, CA 92705 (Entrance and Parking in front, Located behind the Mariscos restaurant on corner of S. Lyon and McFadden Ave. First building facing Lyon, corner unit)

Training/Handler and Dog Observation
Saturday, February 29
th 2020

Training: 8:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 
Training Location: : TBD. Further information provided at Orientation.

Assessment/Evaluation & Handling Class
Saturday,
March 21st 2020

Evaluation: 8:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
Training Location: : Zoom Room – Huntington Beach –  19069 Beach Blvd. Huntington Beach (Corner of Garfield and Beach Blvd.)

Requirements:
All dogs must be at least one year old and having been owned by the handler for 6 months by the Evaluation date, handlers must be at least 18 years of age. All dogs & handlers must meet all prerequisite requirements to evaluate and be allowed to participate in the PAWS and related programs. Once you have attended Orientation, you have one year to complete the rest of the process. Dog MUST be a pet and may not be a service dog, ESD, ESA or any form of support dog. We reserve the right to excuse teams who do not meet program requirements and criteria or who are not a good fit for the program. Participation and membership does not guarantee certification, and no refunds of material, membership or program fees will be made. We generally hold 3 Evaluations each year. Handler/Dog must complete all requirements in order to evaluate. All dogs must be spayed or neutered prior to training. All handlers must complete background investigation. Decisions of Evaluation team are final.

For adequate preparation of program schedule, reservations are required and space is limited.

Please complete the form below to reserve your spot today!

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