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Membership Information |
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About HOPE Crisis Response Teams |
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HOPE AACR is
made up of certified animal-assisted crisis response teams who
are specially trained handlers and dogs. We also have
team leaders who are individuals without dogs. Team leaders are
trained
to assist our crisis response teams. All our members
receive certification training and participate in
continuing education. |
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National Training and Certification
Program |
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Our National Training
and Certification Program was developed
to provide crisis response training to experienced animal-assisted
therapy teams. We've established national training standards so all
our teams in each region receive the same training. Certification
training workshops are typically held once per year in each of our established regions.
Qualified candidates may attend a screening and workshop in any region,
but are encouraged to participate at the closest location to
where they live. Regardless of where one attends a
workshop, each member operates out of a home region. |
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The purpose of certification
training is to
help qualified candidates acquire skills necessary
for assisting people affected by traumatic events. Training is taught in
a supportive manner, giving every opportunity for both handler and
canine to succeed. Emphasis is placed on achieving a balance
between learning necessary skills
and the welfare and safety of each team. |
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We are committed to the mission of HOPE, which is to
bring comfort and encouragement to people affected by
crises and disasters. One way we demonstrate this
commitment to the mission is to continually improve our
training program. |
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Click here to learn more about our certification training
program. |
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Prerequisites for
Membership |
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To
become a Certified Member with a canine partner: |
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You must be
at least 18 years of age.
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Your dog must be at least two
years of age.
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You and your dog be be a
registered member of a formal
animal-assisted therapy organization.
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You and your
dog must have a minimum of 12 verifiable
AAA/T visits within the last twelve months.
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You and your
dog must successfully complete a HOPE AACR screening
evaluation.
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You and your
dog must successfully complete a certification
training workshop.
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Your dog should not be easily stressed and
should enjoy interacting with people.
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You should be in good health and be capable of
handling the physical and mental stress of crisis
response work.
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Your dog should be in good health and have
sufficient energy levels adequate for crisis
response work.
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Pay all fees related to screening and training
workshop, membership fees, and purchase all
necessary uniform items.
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To
become a Certified Member without
a canine partner (Team Leader): |
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You must be at least 18 years
of age.
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You should have some experience
in animal-assisted therapy or some other experience
working with dogs.
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You must successfully complete a HOPE AACR
screening evaluation.
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You must successfully complete a certification
training workshop.
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You should be in good health and be capable of
handling the physical and mental stress of crisis
response work.
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Pay all fees related to screening and training
workshop, membership fees, and purchase all
necessary uniform items.
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Maintaining Membership |
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To maintain membership in
HOPE AACR, certified members must fulfill the following:
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Pay annual membership dues and
submit required renewal information & forms.
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Certified Members with dogs must submit annual
canine veterinary health documentation.
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Maintain active registration with formal
animal-assisted therapy organization.
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Make at least 12 verifiable
AAA/T visits per year.
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Maintain certifications in human First Aid &
CPR, and Pet First aid.
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Participate in continuing education
opportunities through-out the year.
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Attend the required number
of group training exercises, drills, and/or
responses each year.
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Testimonials From Members About
Their Experiences |
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“Both dogs were magnificent. We put them in a down-stay
position and allowed the kids to say their enthusiastic hellos.
The children were touching and pulling and petting and
stroking. I counted seven hands on Brinkley at one instant in
time.”
-- Response, Hurricane Katrina,
New Orleans, Louisiana
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"This work is so rewarding....and our dogs can do so much to
help folks on their way to healing and coping with a minimum of
intervention...”
-- Response, death of a
firefighter, Independence, Oregon
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“Our
dogs act as a bridge, an ice-breaker, to allow people to talk
about their personal tragedies in a safe environment, and thus
begin the healing & recovery process...they gave the
firefighters a comfortable way to relieve their stress and
exhaustion...”
-- Response, San Bernardino Wild
Fires, California
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“Every adult present, both before and after the dogs’ arrival,
felt the dog teams were invaluable in diffusing the children’s
high emotions. The dogs did a beautiful job and were very
gentle with the children.”
-- Response, accidental shooting
of a student, Bozeman, Montana
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Please see our
Calendar page for information about
when
an open house,
screening, and workshop
may be held in your area. |
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If you are interested in
joining HOPE AACR,
Click
Here
to complete our Membership Information Form.
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