Canine Assisted Therapy

Our organization is nothing, if not for our human and canine volunteers. They are such an important part of what we do in delivering therapy to those that need it most. There is a broad range of ways for volunteers to work with C.A.T. in addition to our therapy teams. You can learn more about our volunteer opportunities by speaking with us or you can CLICK HERE for the Canine Assisted Therapy Volunteer Application and information.

Requirements

	All volunteers over the age of 18 must submit to a level 2 criminal background screening which includes fingerprinting and FBI national check. The current fee for this is $52.50 (subject to change) and is payable to the screening agency. (Applicants under the age of 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent for membership.) Canine Assisted Therapy follows the background screening requirements for the state of Florida and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). For more detailed information, please CLICK HERE.
	Dogs must be at least one (1) year old and you must have owned the dog and the dog must have lived with you for at least six (6) months.
	All dogs must be spayed or neutered.
	Dogs must be current on all vaccines and proof of current Rabies vaccine and certificate of good health from your veterinarian is required at the time of application and at vaccine expiration.
	All dogs are required to have passed the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certification within the last two (2) years prior to the Canine Assisted Therapy Dog and Team Evaluation.

C.A.T. Membership Fees

	Full Membership - $75 annual membership fee. Full membership includes one (1) dog. Membership fee includes: insurance coverage as a volunteer under the C.A.T. blanket liability policy, one (1) C.A.T. t-shirt and dog bandana.
	Additional Dogs - $25 annual fee per additional dog.
	Supporting Membership - (Second handler working with the same dog) - $50 annual membership fee.

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

C.A.T. Membership Includes

Facility Placement - We take great care in your placement in a facility. It is important to us that you are comfortable and happy in your assigned facility and that you not only meet the needs of the facility, but that the facility meets your needs as a volunteer.

For teams that live in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca areas, we are currently actively recruiting to provide therapy teams to the following facilities:

Ann Storck Center – Davie, FL
Ann Storck Center – Pembroke Pines, FL
ARC Broward – Sunrise, FL
Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center* – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Kids in Distress – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Jackson Memorial Hospital – Miami, FL
Jackson Hospital North – North Miami, FL

For a full list of Facilities, please click here

*Children's Diagnostic and Treatment Center requires small, non-shedding dogs.

Continuing Education - As a C.A.T. Member, you will be encouraged to participate in Continuing Education Programs. These programs will be at a minimal fee and some will be at no charge to C.A.T. volunteers. These programs are designed to help you to better understand the people that you are serving as a volunteer. These programs include quarterly (CEU Credit) seminars, dog training classes, dog health and care classes and many other exciting and educational programs.

Canine Assisted Therapy has several Volunteer Committees that you can be a part of. Our goal is to keep our volunteers engaged in the organization and in the community. Please CLICK HERE to see the opportunities available.

Dog Testing Fees

	Canine Assisted Therapy Dog and Team Evaluation - FREE! All potential teams will be evaluated and tested by a C.A.T. Dog Evaluator. This testing is performed prior to joining the organization and will help to determine if your dog has the temperament and personality to become a Certified C.A.T. Dog. The dog must have passed AKC Canine Good Certification Certification (AKC CGC) within the two (2) years prior to evaluation. Dogs who have not passed the AKC CGC within the past two (2) years will not be evaluated.
	Canine Good Citizen Certification may be obtained through any CGC Certified Evaluator. We can also recommend a source for the testing if you need one. Proof of passing the Canine Good Citizen test within the two (2) years prior is required prior to the C.A.T. Dog Team Evaluation. Testing fees vary by evaluator and fees are paid directly to the CGC Certified Evaluator.
	For more information on the Canine Assisted Therapy Dog and Team Evaluation, please CLICK HERE for details.

954.990.5175 | info@catdogs.org