VIPaws is an MCHA program that coordinates animal-assisted activities and therapy in the Bloomington area. Trained human/animal teams visit nursing homes, health care facilities, schools and other community groups to share the physical and emotional benefits of human-animal interactions. Founded in 1999, VIPaws serves as a community partner with the IU Medical Sciences Healing Outreach Program Elective (HOPE) service learning course.

VIPaws is a Delta Affiliate group, which requires all animal/handler teams to be registered through the Delta Society®'s Pet Partners® program. Delta Society® provides standards, training, evaluation and liability insurance for the volunteer teams. All registered Delta Society® Pet Partners® teams complete a health, skills and aptitude screening. By requiring that all visiting teams be Delta Society Pet Partners®, we can assure human service providers that the volunteers who enter their facilities are well prepared and that their animals have been carefully screened.

Upcoming MCHA VIPaws Program Volunteer Orientations November 20, 2008 - 7:00PM Pet Partners® Team Training Workshop January 10-11, 2009 - 9:00AM-4:00PM

Overview of the Delta Society Overview of the Pet Partners® program Overview of the National Service Dog Center Pet Partners® Program FAQs How to become a Pet Partners® Team Health Benefits of Animals October 2006 Newsletter [Adobe PDF] As a licensed Pet Partners® training site, VIPaws provides regular Pet Partners team training workshops and team screening evaluations. For more information, or to become involved with VIPaws, please contact: Education Program Director/VIPaws Coordinator Monroe County Humane Association P.O. Box 1334 Bloomington, IN 47402 (812) 335-9453 Sign-up for the VIPaws newsletter Email: