Become a Handler

Love animals? Love people? Join a team dedicated to bringing comfort and connection. Getting involved with our pet therapy program means contributing to a mission that creates meaningful, restorative moments for those who need them.

Becoming a Registered Handler

Our registered handlers are the heart of our program, bringing comfort, connection, and calm to our community.

A great therapy dog is friendly, calm, people-oriented, and adaptable to new environments. But just as important is the handler: someone patient, attentive, and compassionate, with strong communication skills and a deep bond with their animal.

If you and your pup love people and are ready to make a difference, we’d love to meet you! You can expect training to take approximately one semester.

Requirements

Be an employee of TWU
Attend an info session
- Qualify for all Pet Partners requirements
Apply / Interview
If selected
- Pass Pet Partners training program
- Pass Team evaluation and TWU required training
- Complete mock-event and pawp-up

Pet Partners

Pet Partners is a nationally recognized leader in animal-assisted interventions (AAI), providing training and registration for therapy animal teams since 1977. They register nine different species and adhere to the Standards of Practice in AAI, ensuring ethical, safe, and effective practices across all settings.

Handler Requirements

Pass a background check
Pass the Pet Partners Handlers Course

Course 40-item Examination

Adhere to policies and procedures

Pet Partners
Texas Woman’s University

Pass the Pet Partners Team Evaluation

Cue or redirect animal without force
Guide all interactions with confidence
Recognize pet body language and behaviors
Anticipate pet’s responses
Advocate for the pet at all times

Animal Requirements

At least one year old
Reliably housetrained
Currently vaccinated
Welcomes interactions with strangers
No history of aggression
Lived with owner for at least 6 months
Be responsive to owners direction
Not be fed a raw meat diet
No acute or chronic health conditions
Comfortable in Pet Partners equipment

Training Timeline: Fall 2025 Cohort

Informational Meetings

Aug. 13, Noon
Aug. 21, Noon
Aug. 29, 10 a.m.

Sept. 8: Applications Due

Sept. 9-19: Interviews

Oct. 10: Training and Documents Due

Nov. 7: Pet Partners Evaluations

Nov. 14: TWU Handler Training

TBD: Mock Event

Note: Timelines are firm and deadlines will need to be met to remain an active member of the cohort.

Page last updated 12:13 PM, August 7, 2025