PALS (Pets and Love Shared) is a program that provides training and preparation to animal/human teams wanting to bring love and healing to those in need. The East Bay PSCA has teams of companion animals and handlers that visit a variety of facilities throughout Alameda County. The PALS team is also utilized to teach children safety around animals through some of our Humane Education programs. Studies have shown that the interaction with a pet can actually increase a person’s health by lowering their blood pressure, heart rate and improving their overall well being. At the East Bay SPCA we envision a community where people and animals enrich each other’s lives, and human relationships with companion animals bring us to a deeper understanding and appreciation for all of creation and of ourselves. The PALS program is just one of our programs that allows us to do just that.

If you are a facility interested in receiving PALS visits please fill out the first page of our facilities application.

If you are looking to do animal assisted activities or pet therapy with your animal please read below for our PALS team qualifications and requirements.

PALS Program Qualifications

In order for a companion animal and their handler to become members of the PALS team they must meet the qualifications and follow the steps below:

• All animals that wish to be a part of the PALS team must be at least 1 year of age before they begin to join the team.
• The animals must have been in the care of the handler for a minimum of 6 months, before joining the team.
• All animals must be current on their vaccinations and be able to pass health evaluation.
• All handlers must be 18 years of age. Children may accompany an adult on visits, if permission is granted from the facility.
• All handlers must attend the East Bay SPCA volunteer orientation.
• Interested teams must sign up for the PALS training class.
• As a part of the class, canines must pass the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. The skills for the test will be taught as a part of the class.
• Teams must also pass the PALS evaluation which will include, but not be limited to the following:
• Comfort around medical equipment such as wheel chairs, IV stands, walkers, etc.)
• Ability to properly greet a variety of people with a calm confident manner, and without over exuberance or fear. This includes people in costumes, strange clothes, hats and with a variety of body language. There I will be practice sessions during the class, dogs must be comfortable, by the end of class.
• Dogs should be able to follow the command "leave it" even when tempted by foods, medications, etc. at a variety of heights and locations. This command is included in the curriculum of the class, the dog must know the behavior upon completion of the class.
• Be receptive and comfortable with handling by strangers, including rough, or odd handling and sudden movements
• Exhibit appropriate behavior around children, even when running, yelling etc.
• Dogs must be non-reactive to other dogs. Handler must exhibit control and be able to manage their dog around other dogs. Dogs should be able to exhibit a proper none to nose greet.
• All dogs should be tolerant of and manageable around cats.
• Dogs should not offer a paw with out being asked.
• All animals must be comfortable wearing a vest or identification showing that they are a member of the PALS team.

**All of the behaviors will be reviewed in class. Dogs are expected to meet the behavior requirements upon completion of the class. Prior knowledge of these skills is not required before signing up for class.

Dogs must be worked in a flat collar when taking the CGC test and during the PALS evaluation. Other equipment is permitted in class, but dogs should be weaned off of it over the six weeks as once the animals is an active member of the pals team, only flat collars or harnesses may be used when on visits.

For questions or more information please e-mail pals@eastbayspca.org.