Welcome to the American Mini Pig Association Therapy Pet Program
This program will set you on the path to learning what is needed to begin using your mini pig as a therapy pet in your community. Therapy pets change lives as they visit nursing homes, retirement communities, schools, libraries, and more. Using a mini pig as a therapy animal not only makes a lasting impact on the humans he meets, but it gives the opportunity to educate on the truths of mini pig pet ownership. You and your pig will be ambassadors for the mini pig community while you spread some smiles, laughs, and love to those who may be needing it.
What is involved in certifying your pig as a therapy pet?
We have an online educational course that will need to be completed by you, the owner/handler on basic mini pig care and health, educational information about mini pigs to share on your visits, important information on understanding pig behaviors, and essential tools to help you train your pig in preparation for certification.
Your mini pig will begin the training process, if he/she has not already mastered the required skills. You will have all the support you need from the AMPA team to get those skills perfected. We will require video submissions of the required skills once you and your mini pig have mastered them. If your mini pig has already been training and working in the community, you and your pig will be ready to jump right in for certification testing.
You may work at your own pace, so there is no specific start date or finish date for the course. You may complete as many lessons a day, week, or month as you choose.
Required skills:
- Sit
- Come/Recall
- Stay
- Leave it/Out/Back
- Gentle Treat Taking
- Harness & Leash
- Stairs/Ramps
- Walking in crowds
- Accepting of Touch to Body
Other requirements:
- Your pig must be spayed/neutered.
- You must complete the course to qualify for certification. You will earn Therapy Pet in Training status until you have completed all the requirements.
- Pigs under 1 year will be certified as Therapy Pets in Training upon completion of the program and may resubmit at 1 year of age to become a certified Therapy Pet.
After completion of the program your mini pig will be certified as an AMPA Therapy Pet!
You will be given information on how to reach out in your community to get those opportunities to share your mini pig in the community with Therapy Pet status. We will also add you to our list of AMPA Ambassadors so that you may be contacted for AMPA events or therapy pet engagements in your area. Your therapy pet events will be shared, with your permission on our Facebook page.
It is important to consider that not every mini pig is good candidate for the job of therapy pet. Qualities that are good to look for are a laid back nature, social personality, acceptance of training. Your pig needs to want and enjoy this work as much as you do, if not more.
***The AMPA does not hold liability for any mini pig working as a therapy pet certified through our program or not. We will not be held responsible for any incidents or injuries. Please do your due diligence in researching liability coverage for you and your mini pig while considering working in the public.***
To get started select the enrollment level that is the best fit for your goals:
Enrollment Level 1
Level 1 participants will receive:
- access to education and training materials, documents, and printables
- lifetime registration recognizing your mini pig as a pet with the AMPA
- the AMPA Mini Pig Training Handbook
- support through the completion of the course
- lifetime AMPA Therapy Pet certification upon completion of the course
$150
Enrollment Level 2
Level 2 participants will receive:
- access to education and training materials, documents, and printables
- Lifetime registration recognizing your mini pig as a pet with the AMPA
- the AMPA Mini Pig Training Handbook
- the AMPA training bundle with treat pouch & clicker
- the Mini Pig New Owners Guide
- the AMPA Fork-the ultimate tranquilizer
- support through the completion of the course
- lifetime AMPA Therapy Pet certification upon completion of the course
$200
Enrollment Level 3
Level 3 participants will receive:
- access to education and training materials, documents, and printables
- lifetime registration recognizing your mini pig as a pet with the AMPA
- the Mini Pig Owners Guide
- the Mini Pig Owners Bundle-educational information
- the AMPA Mini Pig Training Handbook full color edition
- the AMPA training bundle with treat pouch & clicker
- My Pet Mini Pig- a full color children’s book
- 2 AMPA Forks-the ultimate tranquilizer
- AMPA Therapy Pet t-shirt
- support through the completion of the course
- lifetime AMPA Therapy Pet certification upon completion of the course
$250
ENROLL HERE
For more information on the therapy program, please email info@americanminipigassociation.com
BEST VALUE!
Lifetime Benefits