About Tails of Joy

Tails Of Joy was established in 1995 by a small group who were making regular pet therapy visits with their companion dogs to area nursing homes. Since then the Tails Of Joy family has grown considerably and has included teams with dogs, cats and rabbits.

Members currently visit in a number of facilities and participate in a wide variety of programs with their partner dogs. Visiting teams are registered with a nationally recognized animal therapy organization.

• Intermountain Therapy Animals (therapyanimals.org)
• Pet Partners  (petpartners.org)

Best Practices

Tails of Joy members adhere to a series of best practices starting with their therapy team training and evaluation. These carry through to therapy visits and programs. Providing a positive experience for those we are visiting and for our animal partners is our primary goal.

BEST PRACTICES

• MEMBERSHIP
  
  • It is recommended that any TOJ member wishing to become a visiting team attend an in-person training class or workshop.
  • It is recommended that TOJ members be tested at evaluation events hosted by TOJ.
  • It is recommended that members volunteer at a TOJ evaluation at least once a year as we believe this is an educational opportunity that all members can benefit from.
  • TOJ membership is contingent upon adherence to the policies and procedures of the team’s registration agency.
    
    
• EVALUATIONS
  
  • Handlers are to conduct themselves as if on an actual visit.
  • The team being tested should only be exposed to or interact with the neutral dog and volunteers as necessary to conduct the testing.
  • Distracting behaviors, such as eating, excessive chatter, staring at dog, should be avoided by volunteers.
    
    
• VISITS
  
  • Members and their therapy animals should be clearly identified as representing TOJ.
  • It is recommended that dogs should work for no more than one hour when the visit is such that the dog is “on” the entire time or working in a complex environment.  Two hours is generally maximum for any visit.
  • The impact of travel time on your pet is to be considered when assessing the amount of time spent volunteering.
  • Personal photos taken during a visit must be with the consent of all participants. Under no circumstance should photos showing children’s faces (or otherwise identifying them) be shared on social media.
  • Handlers should be aware of the visiting environment, the contact person’s information, administrators in charge, and if any other teams will be present. It is your responsibility to make your expectations of the visit known to the contact person.
  • Whenever possible, handlers should be at eye level with the individuals the dog is working with or visiting.
  • Always observe proper sanitation procedures during and between visits.
  • Never participate in a visit without appropriate staff presence.
  • Never hesitate to stop a session that is uncomfortable or unsafe for you, your therapy animal or the client.
    
    
• MULTI-TEAM VISITS
  
  • If more than one team is in a common area during a visit there should be a distance of at least 15’ or a physical barrier between teams. Dogs should not interact with each other during the visit.
  • If teams are visiting in shifts, the handler who is arriving to relieve another ream should make that handler aware of their arrival.  The visiting team should exit the site prior to the next team’s arrival.  The dogs should not interact at the visiting site.  Arrangement should be made by the handlers to allow the dogs at least eye contact prior to working near each other.


• PUBLIC EVENTS AND MEDIA
  
  • Unless approved by the current president, only current or past officers should represent TOJ by speaking to the press.  Photos of members taken during a visit by participants, or for promotional purposes or taken by journalists are fine.
  • Members should only attend public events coordinated by TOJ. Other events need to be approved by the current president.

• REFERRALS
  • Requests for regular visits outside of Central and Eastern CT shall be referred to similar organizations in the region of the request.
  • Members who receive a request for a visit should provide the requester with the Contact information of the appropriate TOJ member or direct the person to the TOJ website.