Becoming a member of Faithful Paws means that you will have the opportunity to enrich the lives of others through animal-assisted therapy. Pet therapy offers a multitude of physical, mental, and emotional benefits for people of all ages, from decreasing stress levels and blood pressure to increasing energy levels and self-esteem.
Our Faithful Paws Pet Therapy Teams visit hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and many other types of facilities. All team members are required to:
- Submit an application, upload all required documents, and pay the non-refundable application and training class fees. When you click the button below to fill out the application, please be sure you have the following documents ready to go:
- Completed Initial Health Record signed by your veterinarian: Please complete an Initial Health Record form for each pet applying to be a member of Faithful Paws. You may either (1) print the form and write on it, then have your vet sign it; (2) type in the form on your computer, then save it and email it to your vet or print it and bring it to your vet; or (3) email the form to your vet for them to complete and sign. Here are the links to the forms: Dog, Cat, Rabbit
- Rabies Vaccination Certificate: This is a single page that is usually titled “Rabies Certificate” or “Certificate of Vaccination” and must be signed by your Veterinarian. This IS NOT a summary of vaccinations.
- Vaccination History: This is a summary of current vaccinations and their expiration dates.
- Annual Wellness Exam: Your pet’s current vet records that show a wellness exam/annual checkup. This is a summary of your pet’s recent visit and includes current vaccinations and tests as well as reminders about future appointments. This should only be 2-3 pages max.
- A photo of your Texas Drivers License
- A photo of you for your badge
- A photo of your pet for his/her badge
- Attend and successfully pass a series of training classes. Training classes are held on Tuesdays from 7-9pm as well as one Wednesday from 7-9pm inside the loop on Bellaire Blvd. Both the human and the pet must participate in training. If you have a second handler, they must attend all classes.
- Obtain their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate and submit it to the AKC.
Failure to do all of the above will result in not becoming a member and needing to re-apply should you wish to be considered in the future.
To remain a member in good standing, all members are required to do the following within our membership portal during the designated renewal period each year (January 15-February 15):
- Upload all required documents, including uploading new Rabies certificates and entering in the new expiration date should it expire before the next renewal period. Members are now allowed to participate in visits if their pet’s Rabies certificate is expired.
- Update their profile, including contact information and any other required information.
- Pay the annual, non-refundable renewal fee.
Failure to do all of the above will result in not remaining a member and needing to re-apply should you wish to rejoin in the future.
Click the links below to learn more about Faithful Paws Membership, and refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information.
Apply to Become a Member
If you have never been a Faithful Paws Member*, you will need to complete an application. After we receive your application, we will contact you if you are eligible for membership. New members may apply between February 16 through December 31 each year. Please remember to have your documents ready before clicking below to begin the application.
*If you were previously a member of Faithful Paws and want to return, please reach out to us via email at [email protected]. We will provide instructions on how to re-apply and/or be re-evaluated.