Would your dog or cat make a good therapy pet? There is no cost for your pet to be evaluated, but certified pets are subject to a biennial (every two years) $100 membership fee. If you are interested in volunteering with PAWS of CNY, please complete the steps below.
Step 1: Click here to download a required health screening form. Please ask your vet to complete the attached form based on your pet’s most recent exam. We cannot accept an itemized receipt as proof of pet health and fitness to participate in pet therapy services. We will only accept the form which must be downloaded from the link above.
Note: You will be prompted to submit the completed health screening form, along with a copy of your cat or dog’s current rabies certificate, as part of step two, so please ensure you have these documents accessible before continuing.
Step 2: Submit an application.
Note: You will need your completed health screening form (and not an itemized receipt of recent vaccinations or services from your vet) from step one and a copy of your pet’s current rabies certificate in order to submit your application.
Complete an online application by clicking here.
Be prepared to submit your completed annual health screening form (and not an itemized receipt of recent vaccinations or services from your vet) from step one, and a copy of your pet’s current rabies certificate as part of your online application. If you are interested in certifying more than one pet, please submit separate applications for each dog/cat.
What Happens Next?
If your application indicates that your pet meets our initial requirements, you will be contacted within two weeks from the receipt of your application to schedule an initial evaluation to begin the certification process.
Each pet that passes the certification process will be charged a $100 certification fee, which will be due at the time the dog passes the initial evaluation. For pets that continue in the program long-term, every two years, when the pet successfully passes the required re-certification, an additional $100 fee will be required.
Please note that in order to be eligible for pet therapy, pets must be at least one year of age and must have lived with you for 6 months prior to evaluation.
Learn more about the certification process or click here if you feel your dog may benefit from therapy dog training classes prior to being evaluated.
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.
To learn more about what it’s like to be a volunteer with PAWS of CNY, view the video below, produced by Syracuse University students Erica Lim, Caitlin Shalhoub, and Dani Wolfenson.