WHO WE ARENorth
Star Therapy Animals (NSTA) is a 100% volunteer organization based in
the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Formed in 2008, NSTA has grown to nearly 70 members, 90% of whom have one or more registered therapy animal partners. All of our members are passionate about providing therapy animal services and the benefits that these services bring to individuals throughout our communities. WHAT ARE THERAPY ANIMAL SERVICES?Therapy
animal services consist of therapeutic
and/or other activities facilitated by a specially trained animal and
their handler, that are provided to people at no cost. Dogs are the
most common therapy animals, however, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs,
horses and birds can also be therapy animals. Whether assisting with
a goal-directed therapy session, helping a child learn to read, or
simply visiting residents of a senior-housing facility, animals have
been shown to be instrumental in improving the physical, emotional,
social, and cognitive functioning of people.
The therapy animals of North Star Therapy Animals are specially trained and work in a variety of facilities such as hospitals, schools, libraries, nursing homes, hospice and physical therapy centers, assisted living facilities, and more. Facilities are increasingly recognizing the benefits of therapy animal services and, thus, the demand for registered therapy animal teams is growing. The animals of NSTA are the personal pets of their handlers. All of our teams are tested and registered through Delta Society's Pet Partners® program, which requires a re-evaluation every two years for continued registration. Delta Society is a national non-profit organization that helps people live healthier and happier lives by incorporating therapy, service, and companion animals into their lives. FIND US ON FACEBOOKCheck out our page on Facebook by clicking on the link below: http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Star-Therapy-Animals/208386822178 |