Pet Therapy Training

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Were here to help you get started on you Pet Therapy journey. Pet Therapy is a wonderful way to share the joy and comfort of your dog with others in need. It involves training your dog to visit places like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes to provide emotional support and brighten people's days.

Your Path To Pet Therapy Starts Here

This program prepares both you and your dog for the Pet Partners therapy team evaluation with hands-on, supportive guidance.

You'll work through all the skills included in the exam using real-world practice scenarios to build fluency and confidence.

We’ll help you understand what to expect during the evaluation so you feel calm and ready when the day comes.

You'll receive support in completing the required Pet Partners Handler Course, so you’re fully prepared on the human side, too.

Classes focus on building your dog’s confidence around new people, unfamiliar equipment, and everyday distractions.

Once your dog is certified, we’ll connect you with Caring Canines (a local pet therapy placement service) so you can start scheduling your volunteer visits and make a difference in your community.

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  • $257 for the first month (includes a one-time $100 membership fee + lifetime access to our self-guided video course- Manners Matter).

    Your membership will renew automatically every 30 days for $157/month. You can cancel or put it on hold at any time.
    Purchase Now

  • $97/month (includes unlimited access to all Pet Therapy classes)

    Your membership will renew automatically every 30 days. You can cancel or put it on hold at any time.

    Purchase Now

Making An Impact

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A curly-haired dog wearing a blue service vest sitting on a pavement next to a person holding a leash. The person is in white pants and black sandals.
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From puppy basics to Pet Therapy dog

"We are so happy to have found Paws and Possibilities. Starting with their Puppy Socialization class working our way up to Therapy Dog classes our dog, Tilly, makes us proud every day. Their techniques, philosophies, and caring trainers taught us so much. We've done training with dogs in the past but it truly pales in comparison. We love that we can take her anywhere. People always stop to say how cute she is but more importantly how well behaved she is, especially for a dog not even two years old. Tilly is now a certified Therapy Dog and volunteers at Anne Arundel Medical Center."

-Debbie and Scott-

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Black and tan dog lying on a beige carpet.
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From curious pup to certified pro

"I seriously do not know where to begin, Jovone is an amazing pet therapy trainer. Jovone brings so much positive energy, passion and dedication to her work as a pet therapy trainer. Her enthusiasm for her mission to create strong pet therapy teams is contagious. Not only have Ziggy and I become a pet therapy team, I can say that Jovone has helped me strengthen my bond with my dog and we have a fabulous time together bringing smiles to patients in the hospital and at numerous community service events. With the skills that Jovone taught me and Ziggy, we were able to confidently take and pass the pet therapy certification the very first time. In addition to learning about the exam, we also worked on advanced dog training to help troubleshoot and foster positive experiences for both Ziggy and me. Jovone helped navigate me through the entire process of becoming a pet therapy team from start to finish and has inspired me to do so many things out of my comfort zone, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have her as my mentor. There were no surprises at the evaluation because I was prepared for all aspects of the exam and more. Jovone is a true gem and is the perfect advocate for pet therapy. Paws and Possibilities is lucky to have her.”

-Rebecca-

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From shy beginings to sharing love

"My dog, Grayson, and I recently took the pet therapy evaluation and passed after training with Jovone at Paws and Possibilities. When we started training, Grayson was insecure and anxious around people. However, after hard work and a lot of practice, he has become very obedient, well mannered, and loves to be around others. wholeheartedly endorse the pet therapy training at Paws and Possibilities, including our trainer Jovonne who has worked tirelessly to get us to this point in our journey. By the time we got to the evaluation, we were prepared and ready to go. I look forward to taking Grayson places in the community to give those in need the opportunity to feel his love."

-Steven-

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A German Shepherd dog sitting indoors on a patterned rug, with a happy expression and open mouth. An armchair and television stand are visible in the background.
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From group classes to certification.

"A huge thank you to Paws and Possibilities and especially Jovone for her superb work with my German Shepard Dog, Shiloh, and myself! From our first meeting session Jovone made us feel welcome and valued as a new Pet Therapy Team in the making. She continuously made sure that we, and all the participants in the group settings, felt like we were receiving personalized attention. Our virtual sessions were an unexpected high value add and were a key part in maintaining a continuous path forward. Jovone is an exceptional trainer and has the leadership necessary to help teams gain the proficiency they need. Our result was a perfect preparation for our Therapy Pet evaluation. Shiloh and I were able to complete a rigorous evaluation with a near perfect score the first time. We have hung our certificate of passing and picture of us both smiling post test on our wall and in social media. Even better, she and I are very confident that as we begin our service to others, we will be able to provide comfort and joy to people in need. I most strongly endorse Paws and Possibilities and Jovone for any training your dog needs and especially if Pet Therapy is a goal."

-David-

Not Sure Where To Start?