Volunteer with Your Pet


Thank you for your interest in Creature Comfort Pet Therapy. We have an amazing group of volunteer members and would love to have you join us! Please review all the information below prior to applying to test with Creature Comfort.

What is a therapy pet?
Our Therapy pets volunteer with their owner to provide healing comfort to people in various places. Unlike service animals, therapy pets are only allowed entry into sites that have arrangements with the therapy organization.

What are the requirements to join?

Most visits are during the weekday hours of 9 am - 5 pm. Evening and weekend visits are less frequent.
Please consider if you have time to perform therapy visits. All CCPT visits are in the following NJ counties - 
Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren

Pet Requirements

The pet must:

  • Be calm and easily controlled by the handler
  • Enjoy meeting new people of all ages
  • Be friendly and willingly approach strangers for petting
  • Be at least 1 year old
  • Have lived with their owner for at least 6 months
  • Be confident in new places and situations
  • Be polite around other animals (can calmly walk near other leashed dogs)


Handler Requirements

The handler must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
    (Teens ages 14–17 may also participate, but must visit with a parent or adult team member)
  • Be available to do visits regularly (we ask teams to aim for 1 visit per month)















Medical Requirements
All animals must have a completed pet health form from your vet.

Dogs & Cats: 

  • Confirmation that a vet has examined your animal in the past year to be healthy 
  • A negative fecal exam within the past year
  • Rabies vaccinated
  • Distemper vaccinated (or titer results)

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ferrets: 

  • Confirmation that a vet has examined your animal in the past year to be healthy 
  • No vaccines required

Horses: 

  • Confirmation that a vet has examined your animal in the past year to be healthy 
  • Rabies vaccinated
  • Coggins papers

Goats:

  • Confirmation that a vet has examined your animal in the past year to be healthy 
  • Rabies vaccinated 
  • Clostridial vaccinated (CDT)


    I am ready, how do I start the process?

    Step 1: Apply
    Before taking the test, please send us:

    • A completed application (one for each handler)
    • Proof that your pet meets our medical requirements (Pet Health Form)


    Step 2: Introductory Call
    We’ll set up a phone call to:

    • Answer your questions about the test and program
    • Learn about your goals and availability
    • Confirm your pet therapy test date and time


    Step 3: Evaluation Test
    The pet therapy test combines obedience and pet temperament and takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. Your pet will be expected to obey commands, avoid food and other dogs, approach strangers calmly for petting, settle in an unfamiliar environment, and be comfortable around medical equipment. You can view copies of the tests here - Dogs:  Click here | Other Animals: Click here


    Step 4: Orientation
    Join a live online session where we’ll:

    • Go over the next steps and how to use our training program
    • Answer any questions you have about visits


    Step 5: Education Videos
    Our self-paced online lessons will help prepare you for your role as a CCPT therapy team member. 


    Step 6: Assessment Visit
    Your first official visit will be with an experienced therapy team who will guide and support you. Our staff will continue to help during your first few months.


    Need More Training? Please reach out to our partner training facilities for guidance. You can find a list here.

    Have Questions? Contact Karen Clark (kclark@ccpettherapy.org)

    What are the fees?

    APPLICATION FEE - $100.00 ($60 Onboarding + $40 First-Year Membership Dues)

    Refund Policy - You will receive a full refund if you cancel more than one week before your scheduled pet therapy test date.





     UPCOMING TESTS

    Scheduled during Intake Call
    Sun, December 14th - Rockaway (pm)
    Sat, January 10th - Madison (am)
    Sat, February 7th - Succasunna (am)

     





    OUR AREA

    Creature Comfort Pet Therapy performs visits within the area indicated on this map. This covers the following counties: Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren