Volunteer With Your Animal
Become a Team with Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends
Participating in animal-assisted interactions with your companion animal is not just a voluntary service. It’s a journey of personal growth and fulfillment that can be incredibly rewarding. However, it is a serious responsibility that involves health, safety, and extreme emotions and behaviors. Volunteers must deal appropriately with patients during the most challenging times. By becoming an MSTD visiting team, you are playing a crucial role in our mission, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We deeply value your dedication and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those we serve.
For a comprehensive understanding of the assessments, training, preparation, and costs, click the steps below. This will provide you with the necessary information to prepare for your role as a volunteer.
“People may not remember what you say, but they’ll ALWAYS remember how you make them feel.”
Mayo Angelou
Join Us
Schedule an Introductory Seminar—Thank you for your interest in Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends. We invite you to a Zoom call to discuss the wonderful opportunities that await you on your journey to becoming a therapy team with us. Your attendance at this seminar is not just a formality but a crucial step towards Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends membership and active participation in the Therapy Team Training Workshop Courses. We value your commitment and look forward to your involvement, as your unique contribution makes our organization thrive.
Contact us to arrange a one-hour Zoom call. This Zoom seminar, including a PowerPoint presentation, will pinpoint the essential characteristics contributing to a handler and their animal partner becoming a successful therapy team.
To complete your payment of $35 for the Zoom call, go to the top right corner of the page and select "BLUE DONATE BOX." Scan the Venmo code, click the DONATE box under “Together We Achieve,” and use your credit card. Upon receipt of your payment, we will promptly send you a WeTransfer file containing an Introductory Seminar packet with comprehensive information to explore. You can rest assured that we are committed to guiding you through the process and ensuring your journey to becoming a therapy team member is smooth and successful.
The New Team Registration Form Fillable can be viewed by clicking on the blue box above: New Team Registration Form Fillable
Registration Form must be completed and submitted along with your payment.
Mailing address for checks: Mid South Therapy Dogs, 2095 Exeter Road, Suite 80-105 Germantown, TN 38138
Questions: Mary Ehrhart, Executive Director 901.336.0351 Email: info@midsouththerapydogs.org
MSTD Assessment Form and Therapy Skills Classes—Take the Self-Assessment in the blue box above to determine if you and your animal partner are fully prepared to positively impact your community as a Mid South Therapy Dogs & Friends Team. For those serious about achieving these goals, please inquire about training/skills classes by contacting Lisa Harrison at 901. 674.6679. Questions Email: info@midsouththerapydogs.org
Attend Team Training Workshop ONE - Handler Only, Cost: $50 Are you looking for a volunteer service that is both rewarding and fulfilling? Participating in animal-assisted interactions might be just what you're looking for! But remember, it is not a casual undertaking and is not suitable for everyone. Animal-assisted interactions can be a fulfilling volunteer service. Workshop ONE will present to you how to register as a volunteer team, the difference between animal-assisted therapy and activities, how to recognize signs of stress in your animal partner, how to conduct a visit, how to prepare your animal partner, appropriate terminology, when visits are not appropriate, and common concerns. Walk through the Competency-Based Team Evaluation – THE TEST!
Date & Time: To Be Determined Location: Baptist Memorial Hospital - Collierville 1500 West Poplar Ave, Collierville, TN 38017
Attend CBTE Dress Rehearsal for Handler & Animal Partner (Workshop TWO) All interested prospective teams must have attended the Introductory Seminar and Workshop ONE. Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge! Handlers, exceptional teamwork with your animal partner is the key to shining during this essential “dress rehearsal” for the Competency Based Team Evaluation (TEST). Your role is crucial, and your efforts will not go unnoticed. Handlers, mastering role-playing and skillfully redirecting clients and your partner through practice scenarios is not just important; it’s crucial. These skills are the backbone of a successful CBTE Dress Rehearsal and a successful Therapy Team.
MSTD Instructors will carefully guide participants through the preferred methods and best practices. For those serious about achieving their goals, please inquire about training/skills classes by contacting Lisa Harrison at 901. 674.6679. To secure your place in the CTBE Rehearsal, email MSTD at
info@midsouththeraydogs.org to receive the fillable registration form. Please note that registration forms and fees are prerequisites for attending and reserving your private session time. This is a decisive step towards continuing your skills and journey to become a therapy team.
Cost: $50 per session. Payment must be made in advance to secure your private session time. Each session lasts 40 minutes and provides the opportunity to showcase proficiency in safe vehicle exit and parking lot technique, registration/sign-in, meeting administrators, overall exams, elevator etiquette, and visiting with various client types. Prepare for real-life scenarios with diverse challenges designed to strengthen teams and enhance communication and trust with their animal partner.
CBTE Dress Rehearsal comprises two sessions strategically spaced several weeks apart. This structure ensures that potential teams have ample time for rigorous training, the opportunity to seek clarification, and the platform to demonstrate substantial improvement during the second session. The primary objective of the second session is to equip potential teams with the confidence and readiness essential for excelling during the CBTE and becoming a successful Therapy Team. The Intermountain Therapy Animal (ITA) Training Manual is given to handlers upon successful completion of the second session.
ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review Dogs Do Not Attend Times Pending ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review (Paperwork Session)
Cost: $50. Required before team’s initial CBTE, after both CBTE Dress Rehearsal sessions have been completed. Cost includes Paperwork Session, initial CBTE, and mentoring by MSTD members after successful completion of CBTE. MSTD Instructors assist handlers by providing a detailed review of the paperwork required for registration with both MSTD and ITA.
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Details & Dates 2024
Refresher Course for Renewing MSTD Teams in 2025
December 29, 2024, Location: 2723 Summer Oaks, Bartlett, TN 38134 Pre-registration is required to reserve a time
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2025
Winter Sessions
Rehearsals: January 26 and February 9 Paperwork/Packet Review: February 16 CBTE: March 9
Spring Sessions
Rehearsals: March 16 and April 6 Paperwork/Packet Review: April 27 CBTE: May 18
Summer and Fall TBD
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Details Dates Deadlines 2025
CBTE Dress Rehearsal Dogs Attend Times to be determined
Location: First South Financial Location to be determined
Workshop Registration Deadline: January 5, 2025
Dates: January 26, 2025 & February 9, 2025
Workshop Registration Deadline: March 2, 2025
Dates: March 16, 2025 & April 6, 2025
Workshop ONE Handler Only February 2, 2025
Location: Baptist Memorial Hospital - Collierville 1500 West Poplar Ave, Collierville, TN 38017
Time to be determined Contact us: Email: info@midsouththerapydogs.org
ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review Dogs Do Not Attend Times Pending ITA/MSTD Registration Packet Review (Paperwork Session)
Deadline: February 2, 2025
February 16, 2025, Baptist Memorial Hospital - Collierville 1500 West Poplar Ave, Collierville, TN 38017
Deadline: April 20, 2025
April 27, 2025, Baptist Memorial Hospital - Collierville 1500 West Poplar Ave, Collierville, TN 38017
Competency-Based Team Evaluation Times to be determined
Location: Baptist Memorial Hospital - Collierville 1500 West Poplar Ave, Collierville, TN 38017
Date: January 12, 2025, Renewing/Retesting MSTD Teams ITA/MSTD Registration Packet. To be submitted by January 2, 2025
Date: January 19, 2025, New Teams First CBTE ITA/MSTD Registration Packet. To be submitted by January 2, 2025
Date: March 9, 2025, Renewing/Additional Partner/New ITA/MSTD Registration Packet. To be submitted by February 23, 2025
Date: May 18, 2025, Renewing/Additional Partner/New ITA/MSTD Registration Packet. To be submitted by May 4, 2025
_________________________________________________Thank you for your volunteer spirit!