Agency - WAGS Pet Therapy Of Kentucky, Inc.

To utilize the relationship between humans and animals to enhance health, independence and quality of life.

To extend the opportunity for animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities to more people.

To reduce barriers that prevent involvement of animals in everyday life.

To expand awareness of the positive effect animals can have on humanity.

Description:
Wonderful Animals Giving Support (WAGS) is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to bringing people and pets together for companionship and therapy. Since WAGS was founded in 1999, members and their registered WAGS Ambassadors have volunteered thousands of hours visiting hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other facilities throughout the region in an effort to promote and share the special, and often healing bond between humans and animals.

Our WAGS Ambassadors visiting teams have passed a health screening, and rigorous obedience, skills and aptitude tests. As such, the teams are insured against liability. Teams must participate in ongoing training programs, continuing education and are tested/retested regularly. Our teams provide Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animals Assisted Therapy (AAT) for a wide variety of individuals and groups, ages ranging from young children through older adults.

FAQ

Q: What is animal assisted therapy?
A: Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is the use of certified therapy animals as a part of a therapeutic plan. Animal assisted therapy as a significant part of treatment for many people who are physically, socially, emotionally or cognitively challenged. Those in hospitals or nursing homes often benefit from AAT, especially children and the elderly. While animals such as horses and cats can make excellent therapy animals, dogs are by far the most common type. Perhaps this is because of the unique bond that canines and humans share. Therapy dogs truly make a difference in the lives of the people they meet.

Q: How do therapy animals make a difference?
A: Animal assisted therapy teams consist of a certified therapy animal and a trained handler. Therapy teams visit hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, children's homes and other similar facilities to help lift spirits and facilitate recovery. Therapy dogs visit with the sick and elderly, sometime simply sitting by the person's side and patiently being petted. AAT patients may walk therapy dogs, play with them, feed them or groom them. Some therapy dogs are trained to sit quietly and attentively while children read to them. Many therapy dogs have their own disabilities or limitations that serve as inspiration to humans with disabilities.

Q: What are the qualities of an ideal therapy dog?
A: Dogs of any breed, size or age may be eligible to become therapy dogs. However, not all dogs are cut out for the job. Therapy dog candidates must possess certain traits in order to qualify. Temperament is by far the most important factor. Before even entering a training program, the therapy dog candidate must be friendly and non-aggressive. The dog must get along remarkably well with children, men, women and other animals. The dog should also be confident, patient, calm, gentle and receptive to training. Socialization is essential for all puppies, but it is especially important for a dog to be considered for a therapy program.

Q: How do I become a therapy team?
A: Therapy dogs work with a dedicated handler. This is often, but not always, the dog's owner. If you want to become a therapy team with your dog, you must both complete thorough training. A great way to begin is to participate in the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program (CGC). This certification shows that your dog is socialized, friendly and has adequate basic training. This certification is not a requirement to begin therapy work. If your dog is already well mannered you're almost ready to become a therapy team.

The next step is to contact WAGS http://www.kywags.org/. Once the dog and handler complete all requirements, they must go through a final evaluation, or series of evaluations, to become official.

Once you and your dog become a therapy team, you can begin visiting facilities. Once you get out there and start making a difference, you'll be glad you took the time to go through the process. Being an animal assisted therapy team can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Want to know more about becoming a therapy team? Please visit http://www.kywags.org or on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KYWAGS Feel free to come to one of our meetings on the second Saturday of every month and check us out.

History:
WAGS (Wonderful Animals Giving Support) Pet Therapy of Kentucky, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer organization based in Louisville since 1999. WAGS members believe in the special – often healing – bond between people and animals. The mission of WAGS is to bring people and pets together for companionship and therapy.

To accomplish this goal, WAGS Ambassador teams have volunteered thousands of hours in over 40 facilities in the Kentuckiana area providing animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy. Participation in visitation presents 150 WAGS members with a unique opportunity to give back to the community and share their wonderful, loving pets with those in need.

WAGS volunteers partner with their personal pets to provide therapy services to a variety of populations. For example, WAGS Ambassador teams volunteer in Jefferson County Public Schools to offer the “Read with WAGS” program so elementary students can practice reading skills with the pets. Members also visit nursing homes to assist in rehabilitation and brighten residents’ days. In addition, activities are held in many local healthcare facilities such as Kosair Children’s Hospital, Baptist Hospital East, Our Lady of Peace, Frazier Rehab Institute, Central State Hospital, and Home of the Innocents.

By offering a wide range of visitation opportunities, WAGS can accommodate many different types of pets. Our current teams represent all shapes and sizes of dogs including Great Pyrenees, Miniature Poodles, Boxers, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Cairn Terriers, Pit Bulls, Dachshunds, mixed breeds, and many more. WAGS also has registered therapy cats. There are no breed restrictions for dogs or cats as long as the animal possesses suitable obedience skills and temperament to perform therapy activities.

WAGS teams are registered through an education and assessment process that includes health screening and completion of an obedience, skills, and aptitude evaluation. Once registered, WAGS Ambassador teams are insured against liability for their visits.

Volunteer opportunities include becoming a WAGS Ambassador team with your pet and a variety of options to assist with the mission of WAGS without an animal.

Contact person: Wayne Bonnett, WAGS Public Relations, (phone)

Address:

PO Box 43504 Louisville, KY 40253

Directions:

We hold a monthly volunteer meeting on the second Saturday of every month located at: Anchorage Presbyterian Church, 11403 Park Rd Anchorage, KY 40223-2427