The Companion Animal Association of Arizona, Inc. has operated the Social/Pet Therapy Animal Program since 1983. We are proud to have visited thousands of elderly, sick, and disabled people in elder care residential facilities. Our pet therapy teams have elicited smiles, pleasant memories and responses when no other activity or human being could. For more details on how you and your pet can join our team, please visit our Step-By-Step guide.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

• Our volunteers are dependable and willing to commit to a minimum of one visit per month for one year
• Take their own pets to visit the elderly in elder care residential facilities
• Can expect visits to last for approximately one hour
• Usually go to the same facility one or two times a month

THE ANIMAL

• Are friendly to strangers, confident, predictable in public and love to be petted
• Are clean, healthy and well-groomed
• Dogs have a strong bond with their owners, walk calmly on a lead, sit on command, refrain from jumping and are well mannered
• Cats are willing to be transported and placed in strangers’ laps and are well mannered

THE FACILITIES

• Request our services, sign a waiver of liability and an indemnity agreement
• Provide a Recreational Therapist, Activities Director or other staff person during visits to facilitate the interaction between the residents and the pet therapy companion animals