Membership

Application and Training Fees:

• Non-refundable application fee: $40
• Fee for each additional Handler: $25
• Training class non-refundable deposit (for dogs): $35 (The training class $135 per dog: $35 deposit paid to Faithful Paws; remainder of the training class fee is $100 payable directly to the trainer on the first week of class. Only one dog per handler is allowed in a training class.)
• Cat/Rabbit training fee: $20

Annual Member Renewal Fees:

• Renewal fee (January 15-February 15):  $40
• Renewal late fee (February 16-March 1): $65
• Renewal fee for existing/approved additional Handlers: $10 each
• Renewal fee for additional approved pets: $5 each

If a member does not renew on time, re-evaluation and fees may apply.

• Shirts: A variety of shirts are offered from our private Land’s End Business link. The cost is approximately $30-60 depending on the product(s) you order, and the link will be provided through our member portal.
• Dog Vest: We require a custom logo dog vest ordered through our vendor.  The price is dependent on the size and customization selected. The cost is approximately $20 - $50, and the link will be provided through our member portal.
• All costs for travel, treats, costumes, pet apparel, grooming, and pet information cards are covered by the member.
• American Kennel Club (AKC) membership (if not already a member) and title application fee are paid directly to the AKC at the time of any title registration.

• Membership is renewed annually from January 15-February 15.
• Members may not take any photos showing faces of adults or children (i.e. staff, patients, students, etc.) while on visits, regardless of verbal or written permission that might be given. No such photos may be posted to social media or shared in any other manner.
• Faithful Paws members are required to wear their Faithful Paws logo shirt to every visit and abide by the dress code set by the facility they are visiting. They must display their current badge, as well as their pet’s badge.  Members should present a neat, clean appearance and not be under the influence of alcohol and/or
  drugs that would impair safety or judgment. Wear sensible, safe, closed toe walking shoes. No jeans, cutoffs, capris, yoga pants, or shorts.
• Some facilities require a blue Faithful Paws pet vest. While a vest is not required, a vest is HIGHLY recommended. Pets must be bathed within 48 hours of every visit. Pets must be groomed and brushed. Bring a pet that smells good, is not matted, and has recently trimmed paws and coat. Any soiling in eyes or other areas needs to be cleaned. Collars are a source of “doggie odor” – be sure to wash your dog’s collar frequently. We encourage bows, cute collars, bow ties for the boys, etc. – bring your pet “runway” ready!
• There is no minimum age for handlers, but handlers under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian for class, testing, and on all visitations. The parent is considered the primary handler, the child is the secondary handler. Some facilities require all visitors to be over 21.
• Our program does not certify pets to be used as part of any business or agency.
• Our pets are not certified to be used in any kind of private practice, volunteering, caregiving, etc.
• Our certification does not entitle our pets to go to work with their owners for any reason.
• We never make home or apartment visits.
• We visit our pre-arranged and approved facilities, on set schedules, never as “drop ins”.
• Faithful Paws does not participate in providing service hours or volunteer hours for any purpose.
• Therapy animals are not required to be spayed or neutered. Female animals must not be in estrus or nursing when attending class or participating in therapy work.
• If you ever decide to stop visiting or move out of the Houston area, you are expected to notify us.
• Therapy pets are only considered therapy pets as long as they are active members of their certifying organization. Once they quit, retire, or are no longer active, they are no longer considered a therapy pet at all. Active status for Faithful Paws members and pets can be checked at any time with our administrator through this website. The therapy pet and handler must maintain active status with their therapy animal registration/certification organization as long as they are volunteering to be considered a therapy animal.
• By registering or renewing, all members agree to inform the Executive Director of the Faithful Paws immediately if their animal(s) shows any sign of aggressive behavior toward other animals or persons, and to stop visiting with their animal(s) until the matter has been resolved with our Executive Director.
• By accepting registration or renewal with Faithful Paws Pet Therapy Program, the applicant agrees to abide by all rules and guidelines. Failure to abide by these rules will be subject to cancellation of registration or renewal. All rules, guidelines, regulations, forms and other materials are subject to revision or replacement as needed without prior notice.
• Due to the abundant opportunities to visit with our organization, the potential for conflict of interest, or confusion of rules between groups, we request that our members do not participate in other Pet Therapy programs without special permission from our Executive Director.
• For additional information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions.

Training Classes

Training is offered by invitation only. We will contact you directly once we have received your completed application, you have paid the required fees, and all of your paperwork has been checked and approved. You will then be added to our waitlist for a place in a training class. We will notify you when a place has opened up for you to start training. Applicants who already have their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Title are required to attend and pay for all training classes. They will not be required to re-take the CGC test at the end of the class, provided they have submitted proof of CGC Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC). If you would like to look into getting your CGC while you are waiting for a training class, please go to the AKC Canine Good Citizen website for more information.

Both the human and the pet will be preparing and evaluated for suitability to do this work. In addition, CGC skills will be taught or refreshed, as each individual team requires. At the end of the class, those teams who do not have their CGC already will have the opportunity to test with our evaluator and if successful, earn their AKC CGC Title. Paperwork must be sent to the AKC for certification. Payment for CGC testing is made directly to the evaluator at the time of testing and details will be given on how to complete the process and payment to the AKC.

If a primary and secondary handler have signed up, they must BOTH show up to all training classes and testing. Youth (under 18 years of age) handlers are limited in the facilities they are allowed to visit and must always be accompanied at all times by a parent, both in class and on visits.

Animals must never show aggression to humans or to other animals. All animals are screened during training. The handler and pet will be evaluated together. Some pets as well as some humans will not have the temperament appropriate for pet therapy. Human team members must understand and comply with Faithful Paws procedures and policies when representing Faithful Paws on visits.

We do not use reptiles or exotic animals. Some of our members have more than one certified pet. Only a few facilities will allow us to bring more than one certified pet per handler. The limit is two pets per handler at these few facilities.

Certification:

• Dogs must pass the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test and/or a temperament test to be certified.
• Cats and rabbits must pass a temperament test to be certified.

The following 10 basic items make up the CGC test and will be practiced during our classes:

1. Greets a friendly stranger
2. Sits politely for petting
3. Welcomes being groomed, brushed; allows paws, tail and ears to be handled
4. Walks as directed on a loose leash
5. Moves politely through a crowd
6. Sits, lies down, and stays in place on command
7. Comes when called
8. Behaves politely around other dogs
9. Reacts with confidence to distractions
10. Can be left with a trusted person (3 minutes)

Usual obedience commands that dogs will be expected to obey:

• “Heel” “Sit” “Down” “Stay” “Come”
• Two additional commands we teach and use: “Watch Me” “Leave It”

When members are cleared to start volunteering:
Once you have received your membership approval certification, you are cleared to start visiting and will receive an email with all pertinent information.  With 100-150 monthly visits, there is something for every volunteer, and you will enjoy going to different venues. Most of our visits are during the daytime on weekdays and weekends.