Join Our Pet Therapy Community
Bring the healing power of pet therapy to people in need with your furry friend in the Greater Houston area.
Enroll in Our Upcoming Training Class
We are now accepting applications for the remaining 2026 classes. The May 2026 class is full. Don't delay in submitting your application asap.
Are you ready to make a difference with your pet? Review the information below or click here if you're ready to get started!
Why Join Faithful Paws Pet Therapy?
Becoming a member of Faithful Paws Pet Therapy is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who wants to give back to the community.
Whether you're employed, retired, an empty nester, or simply seeking a meaningful way to spend your time, volunteering with your pet can bring immense joy and comfort to those in need. With over 200 active teams, you’ll join a compassionate community that makes a real impact every day, completing over 15,000 visits annually.
Learn more about becoming a member, our training schedule and how to complete our application below.
Ready to Apply?
While our application process takes time and preparation, all good things are worth doing. The information in your application helps us get to know you and your pet better, reduces follow-up questions, and helps us determine if you are ready for pet therapy work at this time. Thank you for appreciating the process.
If you feel ready to fill out the application now, go ahead and click here. Please refer back to this page should you have any questions or if you get stuck.
What Happens at a Pet Therapy Visit?
A pet therapy visit with Faithful Paws is a heartwarming and uplifting experience. You and your well-trained therapy pet will bring joy and comfort at visits that have been pre-approved and which are led by an experienced team leader.
Therapy pets are allowed and love to be petted by the people they visit, and these moments of companionship create lasting memories. Each visit is tailored to meet the unique needs of the facility, ensuring a positive and enriching experience for everyone involved.
Pet Therapy Animals We Accept
We welcome dogs, cats, and rabbits as therapy animals. Each must pass specific certification tests to ensure they’re well-suited for therapy work. Unfortunately, we cannot accept reptiles or exotic animals. Read below to learn the requirements for each type of therapy animal.
Therapy Dogs
Dogs must be at least one year old; have a good grasp of foundational skills - sit, down, wait, loose-leash walking; successfully complete our training class; and pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.
They should also be well-socialized, calm, and friendly. Regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and parasite preventatives are mandatory.
Even if a dog already has the CGC, he/she will need to go through our training class as we focus on using these skills in a pet therapy setting, which is essential to becoming a successful pet therapy team.
Therapy Cats
Cats must be at least one year old, harness and leash trained, and pass a temperament test. They should be well-socialized, ride calmly in a stroller, and be comfortable in new environments with unfamiliar people.
Therapy Rabbits
Rabbits must be at least one year old, harness-trained, and pass a temperament test. They should be calm, friendly, and comfortable with handling and new environments.
See Some of Our Animals in Action
Our Pet Therapy Training Programs
Our training programs are designed to prepare you and your pet for successful pet therapy visits. Training includes five weekly sessions for dogs and two sessions for cats and rabbits.
Each session covers essential skills, obedience, socialization, and specific behaviors needed for therapy work. Training culminates in testing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification for dogs, or a temperament test for cats and rabbits.
Pet Therapy Training Requirements
- Age and Readiness: Dogs should be at least one year old and have a good grasp of foundational skills - sit, down, wait, loose-leash walking. Cats and rabbits should also be at least one year old and harness-trained.
- Attendance: Both the primary and secondary handlers must attend all training sessions.
- Daily Practice: Expect daily homework and practice sessions with your pet.
Check our upcoming training schedule and follow the steps below to apply for membership and enroll in the next available class.
Our Code of Ethics
At Faithful Paws, we’re committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust, respect, honesty, and integrity. As a member, you’re expected to conduct yourself in a manner that reflects our values and mission. This includes respecting the dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of those we serve, and always representing Faithful Paws in a positive and professional manner.
Once approved, our members receive a comprehensive Member Handbook that includes our Code of Ethics. Some of the key points include:
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Therapy animals must never be represented as service or emotional support animals. A pet is only a pet therapy animal once it has been approved by a certified pet therapy organization and maintains membership in good standing with that organization. Pet owners cannot become independent contractors, identifying their pets as pet therapy animals.
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Conduct yourself courteously and considerately during visits.
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Respect the dignity and privacy of all individuals.
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Abide by all rules and regulations of Faithful Paws and the facilities you visit.
What to Prepare BEFORE Applying
Before starting your application, please review the upcoming training schedule to find the classes that works best with your schedule. Then, ensure you have the following documents ready to upload. It is not possible to save a partially completed application; it must be completed in one sitting. Please download the application checklist for more information about types of files that can be uploaded in your application.
02
Rabies Vaccination Certificate
A single-page document, usually titled “Rabies Certificate” or “Certificate of Vaccination”, signed by the administering veterinarian.
03
Texas Driver’s License
We need a clear photo of the front of your license.
04
Photo of You
We need a good-quality, passport-type photo of you for your badge.
05
Photo of Your Pet
We need a good-quality, passport-type photo of your pet for their badge.
06
CGC Title Proof, if applicable
If your dog already has a CGC title, have a digital copy ready to upload.
Your Application to Become a Member
Once you have everything ready to complete your application online, please follow the below steps.
01
Fill Out the Application
Complete the application with your pet’s information. Insert the pet’s name where it asks for "first name" and your last name in the "last name" field.
02
Pay Fees
Submit the non-refundable application and training fees. See all fees below.
03
Submit Required Documents
Upload the Health Record signed by your veterinarian, Rabies Vaccination Certificate, a photo of your Texas Driver’s License, and a good quality photo of you as well as one of your pet.
04
Await Communication from Faithful Paws
A Faithful Paws administrator will contact you, usually asking for additional information about your pet. If we believe your pet is a good fit for training, you will receive an invitation to train by email. In the meantime, to ensure our emails are reaching you and not going to spam/junk. Check spam/junk and mark the message as “Not spam”
Add your sender address to their contacts
Ask their IT or email provider to whitelist emails from @betterimpact.com (some providers silently filter messages)
05
Complete the Required Training Classes
If invited to a training class, both the handler and the pet must attend and successfully pass all five training sessions as well as complete a probationary period. If there is a second handler, he/she must also attend all classes.
Dogs must obtain the CGC title, while cats and rabbits must pass a temperament test.
06
Start Volunteering and Keep all Information Up to Date
Once approved, you’ll receive information on how to view and sign up for visits.
To remain a member in good standing, maintain current vaccination records throughout the year, upload all updated documents to our membership portal, and inform the Administrator if your pet becomes ill, dies, or if you move or are no longer able to visit.
Membership, Application, and Training Fees
To become a member, you’ll need to submit required documents, attend training sessions, and pay the following non-refundable fees:
Fees for Dogs
- Non-refundable application fee*: $43
- Training class deposit*: $35
- Additional handler fee*: $25
- Training class fee paid to the trainer: $100, per handler
- CGC test evaluation fee paid to the evaluator: $30
- AKC membership and CGC title application fee paid to AKC
Fees are subject to change annually or as needed.
Fees for Cats & Rabbits
- Non-refundable application fee*: $43
- Additional handler fee*: $25
- Training class fee*: $25, per handler
- Temperament testing fee*: $20
Member Renewal Fees
- Renewal fee (January 15-February 15)*: $43
- Late renewal fee (February 16-March 1)*: $65
Additional Costs
- Shirts paid to shirt vendor: $30-60
- Dog Vest paid to vest vendor: $20-50
- Travel, treats, costumes, grooming, and pet information cards are covered by the member.
- Additional training classes: Costs for additional sessions if the dog is not ready to test for the CGC by the end of the initial training.
- Retesting fees: If a member has not renewed for two consecutive years and wishes to rejoin, there may be costs associated with the retesting process
*paid to Faithful Paws
Hear from Our Member Community
See what our members have to say about their experience volunteering for Faithful Paws Pet Therapy.
“The commonality I see is the inspiring dedication and love the handlers and their pets bring to their work.”
Diana Acres
Faithful Paws Team Leader at Houston Methodist Hospital
“I have the cutest little trick that everyone always wants me to do. I have a little wooden toy that my mom rolls to me and says, “Throw it.” I always pick it up with my teeth and toss it. I usually do this several times for everyone’s entertainment. They think I am so clever.”
Mr. BoJingles the bunny
Faithful Paws Member
Looking for More Information?
Download our application checklist for more information or read our FAQs before you apply to become a member.