Due to a high volume of applicants, expect an onboarding process of 6 months from date of initial inquiry to completion of evaluation.
To be eligible to become a PAL team:
-
Humans must be up to date, per the CDC, on COVID-19 vaccines
-
Dogs must be fully up to date on rabies (& distemper if a DC resident) vaccination
-
Dogs must be at least one year old, and have lived with you for at least six months
-
Dogs must have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test
Steps in the registration process for PAL teams that make in-person visits:
-
participate in a 30 minute introductory Zoom session
-
complete a 25-minute handler virtual interview
-
demonstrate at an in-person evaluation that you and your animal have the skills and temperament to be a safe, effective team
-
submit health records for your animal, and
-
demonstrate competency at two coached visits