Therapy dog Poppy made time for a TV interview with CNY Central’s Brandon Roth in between visiting with airport travelers on Thursday, December 21. To help ease the stress of holiday travel, PAWS of CNY therapy dogs are on-site at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
PAWS of CNY, Inc., Central New York’s largest non-profit provider of pet-assisted wellness services, will be holding free therapy dog evaluations by appointment only at The Barking Orange on Saturday, January 26. Individuals interested in certifying their dog or cat to participate in PAWS of CNY’s pet therapy program are encouraged to submit an application to PAWS of CNY and book an appointment. Qualified applicants will be scheduled for an evaluation.
The PAWS of CNY therapy pet evaluation is the first step for dogs and cats looking to earn their PAWS of CNY therapy pet certification. The evaluation is performed by a PAWS of CNY evaluator who assesses the pet on established criteria of temperament, basic obedience (for canines), and the volunteer’s handler skills. Click here to learn about the evaluation criteria.
The test is free and takes about fifteen minutes. Pets who pass the initial evaluation are scheduled for a three-month on-site facility evaluation at one of PAWS of CNY’s facility partners to complete the certification process. Click here to learn more about the certification process.
Note: The PAWS of CNY certification does not certify emotional support dogs, guide dogs, and other service dogs. Click here for more information about the differences between a therapy pet and other service animals.
Individuals interested in scheduling their dog or cat for a free therapy pet evaluation should submit an application to PAWS of CNY. Applications can be found at pawsofcny.org/apply.
Pet therapy has quickly become a recognized form of emotional support in a broad array of settings that has proven benefits for community members of all ages. In 1999 when PAWS of CNY, Inc. was founded (formerly as Sunshine Friends, Inc.), a small number of our volunteers brought their dogs and cats to one local hospital and a small group of nursing homes—but only after convincing facility administrators of the potential benefits of pet therapy interactions.
On Sunday, November 25 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. PAWS of CNY will be holding its annual Barnes & Noble bookfair fundraiser at the Barnes & Noble in Clay, located at 3956 RT 31. This event has become a holiday tradition and is instrumental in our annual fundraising efforts.
