CANTON, Ohio (Jan. 27, 2017) — Aultman Volunteer Services offers the Happy Tails animal-assisted activity program, enabling dogs and their handlers to visit hospitalized patients. Research shows that spending time with a pet can reduce blood pressure, normalize heart rate and improve circulation.

Happy Tails dogs and handlers go through a rigorous training process performed by Pet Partners certified evaluators. Screenings are held twice yearly to join the Happy Tails volunteer team. The next Pet Partner handler course is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 a.m. in the Morrow House Auditorium at Aultman Hospital.

Registration is required by logging on to www.petpartners.org by Friday, Feb. 10. The fee for the course is $50 and includes lunch and snacks, handler’s book and handouts. The fee, along with the handler/questionnaire form, which can be found on the Volunteer Services page, should be mailed to: Volunteer Services at Aultman Hospital, Attn: Lee Kenny, 2600 Sixth St. SW, Canton, OH 44710.

Pet Partners evaluations for new and renewing therapy dog teams will be held by appointment only on Saturday, March 18 at Aultman Hospital. You will be required to bring your completed handler’s questionnaire, certificate of rabies vaccination, acceptable grooming tool and handler’s course completion certificate (new teams only) with you to the evaluation. Evaluations will be held every half-hour from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Please schedule your evaluation by logging on to your account at www.petpartners.org and provide any information regarding special requirements at the time the evaluation is scheduled. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Lee Kenny at 330-363-6368 or email volunteer.office@aultman.com for any additional questions, or to schedule your evaluation appointment time.