About

Mission

The Mission of the Pet Therapy Society is to provide to the community safe and effective Animal Assisted Activities and Programs.  The Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta recognizes that the commitment of its volunteers is vital to the success of its Mission.

Goals

• To provide quality Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and pet visitation programs
• To provide competent and compassionate support services to grieving pet owners
• To initiate or participate in new programs involving the human animal bond in response to proven needs in the community

Structure

The Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta is operated by a Board of Directors consisting of an Executive Committee and up to ten directors-at-large.  The Board of Directors of the Society are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.

Membership is open to individuals, organizations and facilities who have an active interest in pet therapy or in the human-animal bond.  All members are screened by the Edmonton Humane Society’s animal abuse registry prior to acceptance for membership.

The Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta works cooperatively, not competitively, with many organizations and facilities with an interest in pet therapy and the human-animal bond.

Funding

The activities, programs and operations for the Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta are funded through memberships, program registrations, grants, donations and fundraising efforts.  In addition to financial support, Pet Therapy Society programs are made possible by the contribution of countless volunteer hours by dedicated volunteers.

An important goal in the Society’s Strategic Plan is to secure funds to support the activities of the Society.  To this end, the Pet Therapy Society proposes to pursue collaborative efforts with other agencies in the community for specific major projects.

Donation Form

Overview

The benefits of the human-animal bond are well documented in medical, psychological and social literature.  At all stages throughout our lives animal companionship can stimulate sensitivity and learning.  In adolescents, involvement in animal assisted activities (AAA) can add a perspective not usually available in many non-pet home or classroom situations.  Interaction with companion animals can involve values, morals, modes of behaviour, attitudes and self-examination as well as skills.  While the focus is on the human-animal relationship, other aspects including environmental issues, personal health and safety and cooperative learning may also be associated.