PAWS of CNY

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Therapy Dog Training Classes

PAWS of CNY, Inc. is pleased to offer Therapy Dog Training classes designed to prepare dogs to pass the PAWS of CNY certification, as well as to provide ongoing education to dogs and handlers who are already certified. The training classes are not mandatory in order for a dog to be evaluated, but they are encouraged for dogs who are good candidates for pet therapy work but may need assistance perfecting some of the certification criteria

Courses are routinely scheduled throughout the year. View our events page to see current and upcoming course information, or click here to register online for our next available course.

Learn more about the course content

Please note that as a class prerequisite, dogs coming into the class must have a good foundation of basic skills such as sit and leash manners.

There are five classes in each session. The total cost is $80.

Pre-registration is required.

Please contact us to learn more about the available therapy dog training classes.
PLEASE NOTE: The PAWS of CNY Certification provides accreditation for handlers and their dogs to attend PAWS of CNY sanctioned AAA and AAT pet therapy visits only. PAWS of CNY does not certify emotional support dogs, guide dogs, and other service dogs.

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How to Volunteer

Download an Application

PAWS of CNY, Inc. welcomes all domesticated dogs and cats that meet our eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria. If you are interested in becoming a PAWS of CNY certified volunteer team with your pet, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Application – Please complete both a volunteer application and a pet application and return them along with the required health and vaccine records for your pet to PAWS of CNY. We will review your application and if you and your pet meet our initial requirements, we will contact you to begin the certification process.

Click here to learn more about the application process.

2. Certification – The certification process includes both an initial evaluation and a facility evaluation:

Initial evaluation – You and your pet must pass an initial evaluation test for our certified evaluators. If you pass the initial evaluation you must attend the next monthly New Volunteer Orientation meeting in which you and other evaluated volunteers will meet with a member of the Board of Directors to learn more about the requirements and expectations of our volunteers.

Facility evaluation – At the New Volunteer Orientation meeting you will be assigned to a nursing home or assisted living facility in which you will complete the facility evaluation process over a series of three months. If you and your pet pass the facility evaluation you will have passed the complete certification process and will receive a PAWS of CNY certificate and a bandanna for your pet to wear at facility visits and events moving forward.

Click here to learn more about the certification process.

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PAWS of CNY Supports SU/ESF Shack-a-Thon

PAWS of CNY was proud to support the 6th annual Syracuse University and SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) Shack-a-Thon to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Students who participate in the event construct and sponsor a shack on the University Quad and then spend time in the structure for three days and two nights. Various events take place on the Quad during the event, encouraging students to come out and visit the camping students. PAWS of CNY offered camping students, and their visitors, a warm, friendly paw for two hours on Thursday September 25.
[Read more…] about PAWS of CNY Supports SU/ESF Shack-a-Thon

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Volunteer Teams Give 100 Hours of Service

Lumpi Syracuse Pet Therapy AKC Title

Congratulations to two of our volunteer teams: Anna Mayerhofer and Lumpi, and Ronna Richardson and Cody. These two volunteer teams have given over 100 hours of therapy dog volunteer service to the community, earning the American Kennel Club’s Advanced Therapy Dog Title. Congratulations to Anna, Lumpi, Ronna, and Cody and thank you for your commitment to our community!!