Pet Partners of Central Texas (PPCT), formerly Angel Paws, is a nonprofit organization of volunteers in Waco. We visit with people and organizations and we attend a number of local events throughout the year. Members own and train their dogs. PPCT teams consist of a handler and dog or other animal who have been trained to offer consistent, safe attention to those in our care. PPCT teams are registered with Pet Partners, the national nonprofit organization for Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy. Our animals have passed a rigorous Pet Partners test of obedience and fitness to serve, and our handlers have passed a thorough Pet Partners evaluation of effective communication and sustained cooperation with our animals
Is your dog a therapy dog? Therapy dogs must be comfortable in a variety of situations - smells, noises, and people. Many dogs once out of their comfort zone are not happy, may fear bite or bark. Therapy dogs must be comfortable with many different people touching them, making strange noises and faces.
formerly
Are there age, size or breed restrictions for therapy dogs/animals?
Dogs must be at least 1 year old and be able to do the work required as attested to in a comprehensive health screen by a licensed veterinarian and by a licensed evaluator in the required skills & aptitude test but there are no other age, size or breed restrictions imposed by Pet Partners. Dogs of nearly all sizes and breeds can and have been wonderful Pet Partners - assuming, of course, that all other requirements are met!
Buddy visited Santa at Sensory Santa. I wonder what Buddy asked Santa to bring him for Christmas?
Joining Angel Paws - So you have been through the Pet Partner Workshop, evaluation and now have your Pet Partner Registration number.
You are looking for a group to join. If you are in the Waco area you are welcome to fill out the Angel Paws Application. We will review your application. If the board feels you are ready to be mentored your name will be given to one of our experienced members. You will be expected to complete a minimum 3 mentoring sessions. If the mentor feels you are ready to join the member will bring your name to the board along with any notes from the mentoring visits. If the board feels you have passed you will be invited to join the organization.
teaching moments
Our dogs visited Baylor students at Earl House for a little stress relief before finals. I think Shelby enjoyed being the center of attention.
Angel Paws
Animal Assisted Therapy
Where does Angel Paws visit? Angel Paws teams visit Providence Hospital, nursing homes, schools, libraries, as well as special events in the Waco area. Contact us at 254-744-9926 or angelpaws@hot.rr.com if you have a special need or event that you would like to have Angel Paws participate.
Some of our teams went to Crossroads Learning Center in Hewitt to visit the kids.
Baylor Finals De-Stressing with Angel Paws dogs had over 600 students visiting with our Angel Paws 4-legged friends. The students were very happy to get a hug or pet a dog while taking a break from finals.
“Volunteers from Angel Paws bring pets to Providence Park on a daily basis to visit with residents,” said Sandy Wittliff, president of Angel Paws in Waco, an affiliate of Pet Partners. “Although sometimes it is just one pet with one volunteer, other times a group of volunteers bring several dogs and everyone has a really great time.”