Our Mission
Pet Partners® of Central New York is a dedicated group of individuals and registered Therapy Animal Teams committed to promoting the enrichment of lives through the human-animal bond. We do this through Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAA/AAI) designed to meet the needs of individuals of all ages and abilities.
Who are we?...
Established in 2005, Pet Partners® of Central New York is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that helps people live healthier and happier lives through the use of therapy animals. We are a registered Community Partner of Pet Partners® National in Bellevue, Washington. Pet Partners is the national leader in demonstrating and promoting animal-assisted interventions, activities and education.
People and animal volunteer teams are the heart and soul of Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program. As a nationally recognized Pet Partner Animal Therapy Team, you have the freedom to choose when and where to volunteer - nationwide. The time commitment and schedule for visits is coordinated directly by you with the facility you visit with the security of having support from a national organization and its local affiliate.
Trained volunteers are screened along with their pets (including 9 different animal species) to provide Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI). Our teams interact with a wide variety of clients including veterans with PTSD, seniors living with Alzheimer’s, students with literacy challenges, patients in recovery, people with intellectual disabilities and those approaching end of life. The impact of these interactions is felt one million times a year.
Pet Partners’ curriculum and continuing education for licensed instructors, evaluators and handlers is the gold standard in the field. Additionally, they offer superior risk management and industry safety standards. Registered Pet Partners teams are covered by a $2,000,000 commercial general liability insurance when they are doing volunteer work and acting within the scope of duties for a Pet Partners volunteer.
Pet Partners is an
AKC recognized Therapy Dog Organization. For more information on registration/certification organizations and the AKC Therapy Dog title, click on the AKC logo to the right.
Please note, we are not a service dog organization and do not train service or emotional support dogs for individuals.
If you are looking for help training your dog, please see our references in the FAQ section