Once volunteer candidates complete the Delta Society Pet Partners Handler Training Course & pass the Delta Society Pet Partners Skills & Aptitude Test it is time for pulling it all together with Angel Paws Training & Orientation.

1.  CLASSROOM TRAINING
2.  OBSERVATION VISIT
3.  SUPERVISED TRAINING VISIT(S)
4. FACILITY SPECIFIC ORIENTATION (if necessary)
5.  SCHEDULE & BEGIN SOLO VISITS

 2.  OBSERVATION VISIT   All Angel Paws volunteer candidates who complete all Delta Society Pet Partners requirements and the Angel Paws Classroom Training (described above) are next required to observe an experienced Pet Partners (animal/handler) team on a visit.  Observation visits are usually scheduled for 2 to 3 candidates at a time.  Only the experienced team will include a dog.  Candidates do not bring their dog to the Observation Visit.   Delta Society advises all Pet Partners to visit any facility they plan to visit first without their dog to familiarize themselves with the logistics of the facility before bringing a dog for the first visit. 

3.  SUPERVISED TRAINING VISIT  - Putting it all together!  There can often be a quite significant difference between passing a test in a controlled setting and actually putting it all together for a real visit with all the social, visual, auditory and olfactory distractions.  Therefore, the final step in the Angel Paws Training & Orientation process is the Supervised Training Visit.  Delta Society Pet Partners Photo ID's (or temporary ID) and Angel Paws uniforms are required for this visit.  This visit assures that comparable skills and aptitude demonstrated during the Delta Society Pet Partners Skills & Aptitude Test are still present, able to be applied in the real life setting of the facility while visiting with real clients, and that the volunteer is able to demonstrate a clear understanding and ability to apply all policies and procedures covered in the Angel Paws Classroom Training.  3-4 pages of written feedback provided will include Strengths, Opportunities for Improvement and, if necessary, "Must Improve". If there is any "Must Improve" feedback candidates will be required to work on those issues and do as many more Supervised Training Visits as it takes to demonstrate understanding and practical application of the required skills & aptitude on site. (usually no more than 1 or 2 additional visits)  As always, Angel Paws is here to help you succeed in any way we can with whatever guidance or referrals necessary or appropriate.  Although it is very rare (only once so far in 7 years), it may be determined that the team is not appropriate and may not be allowed to continue.  This may be due, for instance, to the animal's stress or avoidance issues and it would not be appropriate or humane to force the animal to continue.  

4.  FACILITY SPECIFIC ORIENTATIONS  A brief orientation will take place at the assigned facility before your animal Pet Partner goes with you for the first time.  Some facilities may require their own training &/or orientation &/or TB tests in addition to Angel Paws Training & Orientation.  Hospice of Central Ohio and Licking Memorial Health Systems both require additional training and orientation respectively and both require all volunteers to have TB tests which are provided free of charge to volunteers.  

5.  SCHEDULE & BEGIN SOLO VISITS!  Once all of the above have been completed volunteers schedule visits for every other week in the 1 or more of the facilities Angel Paws partners with as preferred and appropriate - identifying the right fit for each team, as needed and available.  Visits may be scheduled for every week or even twice a week if desired and appropriate but because dogs must be thoroughly bathed and groomed within 24 hours of each visit (per Delta standards of practice) Angel Paws only requires a commitment of 1 visit every other week.  (R.E.A.D. programs may require a visit every week for limited or extended periods)  Visits may be split between 2 facilities and flexibility is available but it is requested that volunteers generally stick with the same day of the week.  This day may be changed, canceled or rescheduled from time to time but we try to spread visits apart so clients are not experiencing clumps of visits followed by an extended period of no visits so it is required that visits be coordinated through the Angel Paws program director.