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Therapy Animals Assisting People (T.A.A.P.)

All animals who participate in the program must be healthy and free from parasites, disease, infections, and illnesses. To be considered for the TAAP program the animal needs to meet the following minimum requirements:

¨ Pass a general physical exam

¨ Current on rabies immunization, as prescribed by state law and age appropriate, comply with other immunization requirements, as prescribed by your veterinarian or state laws.

¨ Be free from internal and external parasites.

¨ Be spayed/neutered when age appropriate. No animals in the TAAP Program can be used as/for breeders/breeding.

¨ Walk on a leash; no pulling/straining

¨ Sit/Come when commanded

If all of the above can be met by the animal then TAAP will schedule a home visit and provide the animal parent with forms that are needed to start down the road to registration with TAAP.

The guidelines below MUST be met for the animal to be registered with TAAP:

¨ The animal parent will need to complete an application

¨ Have their Veterinarian complete the health evaluation form provided by TAAP.

¨ All animals must wear a collar/harness* with identification tags at all times.

¨ When in public places animal must be on a leash and wear a service “vest” (provided by TAAP upon certification)

¨ Animals such as cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs are encouraged to be carried in a basket and/or size appropriate kennel. (When in public the animal parent is responsible for cleaning up after their animal.)

¨ Complete TAAP behavior/temperament testing and command training

After all the above have been met and the animal is registered the animal parent and the animal will berequired to complete an annual training and update session to maintain registration. The animal parent will be notified in writing 30 days before the date of the annual training/update session.

If the animal parent fails to complete said training/update session, they will have 10 days from the failure date to comply or they will be terminated from the program. If the animal fails the training/update session a re-evaluation will be scheduled for 30 days from the date of the failure. If the animal fails the re-evaluation the animal will be placed on a temporary restriction and the TAAP evaluator (or their designee) will complete a goal plan sheet with the animal parent outlining what will be done. Goal plans may differ from animal to animal and will also depend on what training/update was failed.

All animals in the TAAP program must be kept up to date on their vaccinations and be seen by their veterinarian. Failure to do so is cause for immediate termination from the program.