How to become a member

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		INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY CLASS A mandatory class required for membership Learn how to train your dog to become an Animal Assisted Therapy Partner. Your dog should be at least 6 months old and familiar with basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, etc.). Handlers must be 18 or older to attend the Intro class. The course includes instruction on hand signals, getting your dog to work for others, and an introduction to the games used in our therapy work to help improve/enhance verbal and motor skills.
		THE RAINBOW REGISTRY TEST You must pass the Rainbow test, administered in the last Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy session, in order to be a working Rainbow team. Annual re-evaluations are also required for all Rainbow members’ dog teams.
		MEMBERSHIP PACKET A packet, including the membership application and additional requirements, is provided during the Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy class.
		WITHOUT DOG OBSERVATIONS Membership requirement Visit 3 different types of Rainbow programs such as a hospital, school, library, or residential center without your dog.
		WITH DOG OBSERVATIONS Membership requirement Once you have completed the class and passed the Rainbow Registry Test, done your without dog observations, this is your next step. These visits are with your dog, where you observe for the first part of the session and participate in the last part of the session.
		INTERNSHIP
		You will be placed in an internship, usually 4-6 sessions, working alongside experienced teams, in order to give you additional opportunities to develop more therapy skills and techniques beyond what is taught in our AAT classes. The programs you intern may remain permanent depending on the needs of the program and where you are interested in volunteering. When you have successfully completed your internship you may begin working in rainbow programs.
		Mail forms to: Rainbow AAT 6042 W. Oakton Morton Grove, IL  60053 Attn: Robin Simborg Or, e-mail them to: rainbowaat@gmail.com
		If you have any questions during this process, please contact: Robin Simborg 773-383-1153 rainbowaat@gmail.com   Nancy Lind 773-283-1129 rainbow3719@gmail.com