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Frequently Asked Question's
Q. How can I get my dog certified?
A. First, your dog has to be screened. This is a test for appropriate PRAAT-type disposition and good health. PRAAT provides obedience training and additional instruction for those select dogs that pass this initial screening.
Q. When are screenings held?
A. In the evening of the first Monday of every month at the Paumanok Veterinary Hospital.. Check our calendar.
Q. What types of facilities would I visit?
A. Almost any type: hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, rehabilitation centers, adult homes, drug and alcohol treatment centers, mental health care facilities.
Q. Can I go wherever I want?
A. Not necessarily. We will match up you and your dog with an appropriate facility with whom we have a contract (the list is growing).
Q. Is there a cost?
A. You are expected to maintain your dog including health care. There is a training cost of $185. This money will be reimbursed once you complete the obligatory 24 visits.
Q. Can children get involved?
A. We love to get youth involved. However, please note that if they are under 18 they must be accompanied by an adult.
Q. How are you different from other animal assisted therapy programs?
A. We are professionally run and overseen by a multi-disciplinary professional board. This is a program. You are not alone. We will be there to help you and guide you but also to oversee all animal assisted therapy related matters.
Q. What area do you cover?
A. We are trying to cover Suffolk County, New York. Eventually we want to cover all of Long Island.
Q. Can I take my dogs into public places like restaurants?
A. No. This is a right reserved for service dogs.
Q. Can my dog be removed?
A. YYes. If behavior problems develop or if he/she is not up to date on required health care.
Q. Do the facilities have their own volunteer requirements?
A. This varies with the facility, but many of them have their own orientation program.
Q. Are there dog breeds that are not allowed?
A. Yes. Basically dogs on the insurance dangerous dog list – Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Chows, wolf hybrids
Q. Are the facilities charged for service?
A. Yes. At the moment $30 per session. This money goes first to cover obligatory costs like insurance. 100% of the remaining revenue is distributed back to charity. In essence this is a community service business that benefits charity entirely.
Q. Are you a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I make a donation?
A. We are not set up as a traditional not for profit business. We do not have fund raisers. We do not solicit donations. Rather we provide a service as many businesses do and we charge a fee. The difference is the money earned goes entirely to charity. Nevertheless, people and organizations do become aware of our program and wish to make donations which we will accept. It is tax deductible.
Q. Do our volunteers get paid?
A. NO
Q. What if I leave for a while?
A. PRAAT dogs who leave for more than two months get Leave of Absence status (LOA). They will be re-evaluated before restarting PRAAT visits.
Q. Who can give health care?
A. Any New York state licensed veterinarian working in an animal hospital.
Q. What is our PRAAT comittment?
A. We expect our PRAAT volunteers to make 24 visits a year (two visits per month).
Q. Can a PRAAT dog make more than 24 visits?
A. Absolutely. So long as you and the dog are able and willing.
Q. Is there an association with Rotary?
A. Absolutely. Rotary is an elite service organization. This program started as a Rotary community service project. ALL the money raised is given back to charity through Rotary channels with Rotary oversight.
Q. What if I want to visit a facility but it is not on your list?
A. Give us the name and contact person if available. We'll make arrangements to talk to them. This is one way in which we expand our list of facilities.
Q. Do you do things together as a PRAAT organization?
A. Yes, many things. Parades, career days at schools, Rotary events. We consider ourselves one big family.
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