Fur-real Hands on Handler Practicum

If you have dreamed of volunteering with your animal, or even if you don’t have an animal but would like to volunteer, or if you’re currently a volunteer but would like to refresh your skills, then the Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum is for you!

New handler volunteers (those who volunteer with their own animal) are required to take the online Pet Partners course, which provides the foundation information. The Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum is a valuable supplementary course to help reinforce their learning and practice the hands-on skills that help turn the theory into practice. Taught by experienced Pet Partner Volunteers and Team Evaluators, this course is hands-on, lively, interactive, and full of opportunities to practice and ask questions. 

People who don’t have animals that they want to volunteer with, but want to volunteer “unleashed”, are also asked to take the hands-on practicum, since it will better prepare them for their work as an unleashed volunteer.

The Fur-Real Hands-On Handler Practicum teaches animal stress and calming signals in a thorough, practical way. Our practicum also reinforces the online course principles of supporting the animal, confidentiality, and infection control through practical demonstrations and practice. We also emphasize best practice positioning while walking into a facility, reading to children, visiting clients who are using walkers, sitting on couches and chairs, wheelchairs, and bedside visits, as well as working with groups and with therapists. Current volunteers are encouraged to attend to stay up with developing best-practice techniques in the field.
Note:  This Practicum is for humans only.  Please do not bring your animal partner!

Because Covid-19 "is still a thing," please be considerate and do not attend if you are ill.  We will be meeting in a large, well-ventilated room, and social distancing will be practiced as much as possible to protect all those present.  You are welcome to wear a mask in class, and masks may still be required in the hospital halls and common areas.

The next practicum will be in January, 2025 in Salt Lake City.