Event Protocol for Therapy Dog Events
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Please follow this protocol for the comfort and safety of the dogs, handlers and participants at all therapy dog events. Please sign this Certificate of Understanding indicating you agree to the provisions set forth below:
(Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us in advance)
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1. Booking fees must be submitted at least 30 days before an event to guarantee there is sufficient time to organize the event. If booking fees do not arrive prior to 30 days, we cannot guarantee proper service.
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2. Expected participants attending the event must sign up for a time slot on a form we will provide - see example.
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3. If event participants exceed the number booked, hosts will pay $25 per additional participant within 5 business days following the event. A late fee of $20 will apply.
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4. Hosts must provide parking for the dogs/handlers. If free parking is not available then parking tickets must be reimbursed.
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5. If you have an event photographer/videographer, please have them speak to our coordinator before the event.
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6. Internal room temperature must be set to the lowest setting (18ËšC recommended) since the dogs overheat easily. In case the temperature cannot be controlled, then box fans or table fans can be set up on the ground close to the dogs. If these aren't readily available then please request we bring them.
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7. Make sure the floor is washed/vacuumed since participants will often sit on the ground with the dogs.
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8. Set up chairs for the handlers so that there is at least 10 feet of space between each chair.
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9. Host/volunteers with experience handling dogs are preferred, but not essential to perform routine tasks such as unloading dogs from vehicles, lifting them for petting and controlling them on leashes. Nothing a handler will request a host/volunteer to do will put either the dog or the host/volunteer at risk. See a detailed description here of the Certified Therapy Dog Training Program.
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10. We carry Third Party Liability Insurance for $5 million that covers injury to participants, hosts, volunteers or visitors and damage to property by dogs should something unforeseen happen at our events. In our over 8 years of operations, we have never had any claims.
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11. Hosts must prevent dogs or other animals outside of our program from attending the event.
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12. During the event volunteers/hosts will control the number of participants such that there are no more than 6 people around each dog at any given time so that the dogs are not overwhelmed.
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13. Dogs will be taken out in turns for breaks during the event as needed but at least one dog will remain with the participants.
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14. Provide 2 bowls of water for the dogs and refill during the event.
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15. The dogs would appreciate these treats (from Bosleys/Tisol stores) since some have allergies.
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16. Ensure that a table is set up so that equipment can be laid out and sorted. ​
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For Large Events over 60 Participants
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17. Depending on the size, location and facilities at the event, host must provide volunteers (number to be determined in advance) to assist with activities such as, but not limited to the following:
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a. Help dress the dogs in harnesses, collars and leashes.
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b. Set up mats for participants who want to sit on the floor and pet the dogs.
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c. Help to unload the equipment from the van and set up before the event starts, clean and repack the equipment back into the vehicle after the event.
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