ABOUT WAGS

Wonderful Animals Giving Support (WAGS) is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to bringing people and pets together for companionship and therapy. Since WAGS was founded in 1999, members and their Delta registered Pet Partners have volunteered thousands of hours visiting hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other facilities throughout the region in an effort to promote and share the special, and often healing bond between humans and animals.

WAGS provides information and screening required for you and your pet to become involved in pet therapy. Our Pet Partner visiting teams are registered with the nationally recognized Delta Society Pet Partner Program. This means they have passed a health screening, and rigorous obedience, skills and aptitude tests. As such, the teams are insured against liability. Teams must participate in ongoing training programs, continuing education and are tested/retested regularly. Our teams provide Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animals Assisted Therapy (AAT) for a wide variety of individuals and groups, ages ranging from young children through older adults. If you would like more information about Delta, you can visit them at

http://deltasociety.org.

I would highly encourage you to attend a WAGS membership meeting and the orientation for new members following that meeting. Here you can meet members, learn about our visiting teams, the various activities/events we are involved in, and learn how WAGS operates. Attending the orientation will give you a thorough understanding of the steps involved in getting registered with your pet.

Registration testing is offered bimonthly; however you must attend the Pet Partners Training class before being permitted to test. The manual/book is available for purchase either through WAGS or Delta Society. It contains information related to the written test, which is required to be completed prior to testing for registration. (The test is not difficult and the manual is very straight forward and helpful in completing it).

The testing itself focuses on basic obedience and social behavior. The animal and handler are BOTH evaluated. During the testing, there are “real life” scenarios involving a neutral animal, a noisy crowd of people, a sudden loud noise, “enthusiastic” petting, as well as petting by multiple individuals. There is also a sit/down/stay and a “heeling” exercise. Many of our members have found that obedience training aimed at acquiring the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is helpful prior to testing. All around socialization is a must!

If you need information about training, we will gladly give you referrals. WAGS subscribes to a positive reward-based training, and harsh corrections or handling is never allowed. The reasons for this are related not only to the well-being of the animals of whom we ask this invaluable service, but also for the aesthetic value of presentation for the clients we visit. Our visiting teams often have several handler/animal teams visiting together, so it is imperative that the animals be able to tolerate and appropriately respond to other animals.

Finally, please be aware that not all WAGS members are registered Pet Partners. We do not require registration for membership, just visiting. I know this is a lot of information, and I certainly hope it’s helpful to you. If you have other specific questions, please feel free to contact us at info@kywags.org. I invite you to attend one of our meetings. I, and the rest of the WAGS membership, look forward to meeting you!

To utilize the relationship between humans and animals to enhance health, independence and quality of life.
To extend the opportunity for animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities to more people.
To reduce barriers that prevent involvement of animals in everyday life.
To expand awareness of the positive effect animals can have on humanity.