By Jan Tomlinson
I used to be an evaluator for Therapy Pets Unlimited (TPU), and we had 14 therapy teams out visiting in the community. Then Covid hit, and everything closed down. After Covid, TPU decided not to continue as a national therapy dog organization. Now we were left without a certifying therapy organization and a local evaluator. This is how Verde Valley Paws for a Cause was born.
We wanted to continue our therapy dog work in the Verde Valley. So, in October of 2023, several of us decided to form our own therapy organization. First, we had to create a name for it and design a logo. One of our club members who is an artist came up with a design that would be embroidered on the dog’s vest. The next step was to apply to the State of Arizona to become a corporation. A board of directors was appointed, which included a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
After receiving our status as a corporation, we needed to write a constitution and by-laws for the corporation. We also created our evaluation form for therapy dog certification.
The next requirement was to publish our constitution and by-laws in the local paper for three weeks. When that was done, we now had to apply for our non-profit status from the Federal Government. We would then receive an ID number.
This may all seem boring, but there are many steps to go through when forming a new organization. After everything was completed and approved, we then applied for our liability insurance. This is a must in order to protect our therapy teams when they are out on their visits.
Our requirements for certification meet the standards of any of the other national therapy dog organizations. We also require that everyone must take and complete a six-week therapy dog class which includes two visits to a facility. To date, I have taught six classes, and we have certified 28 therapy teams who have completed 329 therapy visits for the year. We are now applying to the American Kennel Club for recognition as a therapy dog organization. Our teams can then apply for AKC Therapy Dog Titles.
We have been visiting nursing homes in Cottonwood, Sedona, and Camp Verde, schools, libraries, assisted living facilities, a church youth program, and even a National Park.
If you are interested in our program, please email us at: VerdeValleyPawsForACause4468@gmail.com.
~Jan Tomlinson and
In Memory of Sir Chase,
CD, RI, NJP, NAP, THDA
