Active Re-Entry supports the PAWS (People & Animals Working to Serve) Program. The use of animals to facilitate positive changes in a broad spectrum of therapeutic settings is becoming more accepted, appreciated, and valued. Under the direction of health services and education professionals, animal-assisted therapy can promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social improvement for people with special needs.
In animal-assisted therapy (AAT) programs, volunteer teams become formally involved in treatment regimens, helping motivate the achievement of a wide variety of goals and objectives. As those who share their lives with animals will attest, there are benefits that animals can provide that oftentimes people cannot. Research is now corroborating this conventional wisdom. Miraculous improvements have occurred during animal-assisted therapy visits.
The Active Re-Entry P.A.W.S. Program participates in both AAT and animal-assisted activity (AAA) programs, in which volunteers visit formally with hospital patients, nursing home residents, and people in other facilities.
The P.A.W.S. Program takes their code from a quote by Margaret Mead... "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
We serve at a variety of locations throughout Southeastern Utah, helping to brighten the day of many age groups, no matter what their physical or mental status.
A therapy animal possesses the necessary skills and aptitude to facilitate therapy under the direction of a health care or human services professional. Active Re-Entry's PAWS program does not accept pets for training.
Therapy animals are owned by volunteers, not by the people or organizations they serve. Pets must be current on vaccinations, well-groomed, and well-socialized with other animals and people. Dogs, cats, and rabbits are some of the species that have been certified as therapy animals.
Just because your animal is photogenic does not mean that it has a Therapy animal's personality. Here is an article from Bark Magazine. It is entitled Lending a Helping Paw: Is your dog a good fit for therapy duty? We recommend this additional reading, so you know what to expect. You can also download a copy of our new PAWS Brochure and learn more.
Being a therapy animal is more than just letting a person pet your animal. You need to be prepared for anything, and your animal has to remain calm and commanded, and so do you. Animals and handlers must meet Delta Society Standards and be able to set aside a set amount of hours per month for activities. Evaluations are by appointment. Call Active Re-Entry at 637-4950 and set up an appointment.
Contact: Kathryn Kilbourne, Active Re-Entry, 10 South Fairgrounds Road, Price, UT 84501, or to active@arecil.org, 435-637-4950.
The following policies, procedures and guidelines have been established necessary to meet the requirements for our insurance carrier.
The P.A.W.S. volunteer program will only be involved in registering domesticated dogs, cats and rabbits. For insurance purposes, no other species of animals will be allowed under this insurance policy. Because there have been a few cases of high profile and liability within certain canine breeds, our insurance carrier does not wish us to register Pitbulls, Pitbull mixes, Rottweiler's, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinchers.
We recognize there are many good dogs within these breeds and their owners wish to demonstrate their dog's abilities and personalities. We suggest they contact Best Friends or Love-A-Bull to join in their efforts of promoting responsible ownership through education and advocacy.
Insurance coverage is only good as long as the team is a registered team with ARECIL/P.A.W.S. ARECIL provides liability insurance that protects you from claims of others for injury or illness and property damage resulting from animal assisted activities. This coverage does not protect your team from injury or illness as a result of participation in this program. Coverage applies to the P.A.W.S. registered teams functioning as a therapy team at a visit or event. An animal assisted intervention may include, but is not limited to, making visits at a facility such as a hospital, nursing home, library, school, detention center, hospice care, etc. P.A.W.S. participation can also include community events such as a parade, educational seminar, public educational event, or events promoting or describing P.A.W.S.
Membership is a privilege, not a right, granted by ARECIL's agreement with the insurance carrier and membership may be revoked at any point in time.
The Active Re-Entry, P.A.W.S. Program welcomes all who want to lend a helping paw. You can support our efforts in the following ways:
For more information about participating with and/or supporting the Active Re-Entry, P.A.W.S. Program, please contact Kathryn Kilbourne, P.A.W.S. Coordinator at 435-637-4590.