Manassas Therapy Dogs
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Manassas Therapy Dogs is to offer pet therapy, with our nationally certified canine partners, to the citizens of Manassas and the surrounding communities in Northern Virginia. Our multi-faceted goal is to provide comfort and a brief distraction to people in nursing homes, rehabilitation and adult-care facilities, and to students of all ages, and other special opportunities that may arise. We are a group of caring individuals, along with our special dogs, who strive to embrace diversity by bringing comfort and joy to people, young and old. We meet people where they live, work and play with a focus on the well-being of our dogs, ourselves and the people we engage.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
All Manassas Therapy Dog (MTD) members must follow the rules and regulations as contained in the most current Member Handbook distributed to all members by Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).
I. Membership
A. Requirements
1. Must be a current ATD certified therapy dog team
2. Be familiar with and follow ATD policies, rules, regulations and Code of Ethics
3. Be familiar with and follow MTD policies and procedures
B. New Members
1. Therapy Dog Teams
a. Complete the new member form, attach a copy of your current ATD card and include your annual dues. Submit these to the membership chair
b. Members joining MTD in July, August or September will not pay dues again until the following membership year
c. New members will receive a MTD lanyard with the MTD Identification Card, an MTD
patch for each handler and registered dog, and a forest green bandana for each dog
d. New members will have access to the For Members Only section of the MTD website
2. Associate Members
a. Complete the new member form, include the annual dues and submit these to the membership chair
b. Associate members will receive the MTD lanyard and ID card and will have access to For Members Only section of our web site
C. Renewal
1. The MTD membership year is from October 1 through September 30
2. Renewal forms will be emailed/mailed in the first week of September
3. The completed form, copy of the current ATD card and annual dues are to be submitted to the Membership Chair by October 1
4. Membership will end if a renewal is not received by January 1st
D. Mentor Program
1. The MTD mentor program is available for new members. The purpose of this program is to help orient new members to enable them to become active participants in the MTD community.
2. Membership chair will assign mentors to new members
3. The mentor will:
a. Call new member and become their point of contact.
b. Discuss their interests. Get their ideas.
c. Give a brief orientation. (i.e. website, places to visit, newsletter, upcoming
events)
d. Let them know of future events/activities
e. Be open to going on visits with the new member.
f. Be a friend. Encourage them to be a part of the MTD community.
II. Dress Requirements
A. Handler
1. A forest green polo shirt with the MTD logo, or a forest green vest with the logo, or and a white shirt (collard, turtle neck or business casual tee)
2. Khaki-colored slacks
3. MTD lanyard with ID
B. Dog
1. A forest green collar, forest green vest, or a forest green bandana is to be worn, and
2. The ATD red heart
III. Visitation
1. Members are required to complete and log one therapy dog visit every three months
2. Members may visit any facility that accepts therapy dog teams
3. The Facilities and Programs Guide can be found on the MTD web site under For Members Only. This identifies all the facilities and programs that our teams visit or participate in
a. If you are interested in a facility or program, contact the listed Facilities Coordinator
4. If you visit a new facility or participate in a new program, inform the Facilities and Program chair so it may be added to the Guide
IV. Insurance
1. Your ATD membership provides liability insurance that protects you from the claims of others for injury, illness, loss and/or property damage resulting from a therapeutic visitation with your dog
2. Refer to your current ATD Member Handbook for more information
V. Financial
A. Financial Records
1. The financial records include the General Operating account (AKA the Checking
Account), the Benevity/Donations/Grant Account and the Truist CDs.
Also included is annual Board approved financial plan.
2. The Board treasurer is responsible for maintaining all financial records
3. Each month the treasurer completes a report which is presented to the Board and, after
approval, is sent to the membership
4.The financial statements will be reviewed when the sitting treasurer leaves the Board
B. General Operating Account (Checking Account)
1. Funds in this account are primarily generated from payment of members’ annual dues
2. Members may be reimbursed for a purchase when,
a. Prior approval is received from the Board
b. Receipt is submitted to the treasurer
C. Grant/Benevity/Donations Account
1. Funds in this account are from past grants and will not be replenished
2. Funds are to be used for needs that are approved by the Board and are not included in the General Operating account
VI. Board of Directors
1. The MTD Board of Directors (BOD) consists of:
a. Chair
b. Secretary
c. Treasurer
d. Membership Chair
e. Facilities and Programs Chair
f. Technical Chair
2. Each BOD member has a vote
3. Issues coming before the BOD requiring a vote are decided by a simple majority count.
4. Open positions on the BOD are filled when:
a. An MTD member expresses an interest
b. The BOD reviews the candidates’ qualifications
c. The BOD votes on the decision to approve the candidate of interest
5. There are no term limits for any position on the BOD
VII. Communication
A. Email-issued from the BOD to members regarding new information about events, updates or
issues
B. Face Book-MTD Group
1. This is for members only
2. Members can share information, post pictures and respond to other members
3. To join the MTD FB group:
a. Search for Manassas Therapy Dogs
b. Select Manassas Therapy Dogs
c. To the right of Manassas Therapy Dogs is Join Group
d. Click on this and you will gain access to the group.
C. MTD Website
1. The MTD general website has information about our organization, how to join, gallery of
past members and pictures
2. For Members Only-this section is available only to MTD members and contains:
a. Policies and Procedures
b. Photo Member Directory
c. Archived issues of Stay Pawsitive
3. To access the MTD website for members only go to:
1. manassastherapydogs.net/members
2. enter the Password MTDmembers
D.You Tube:
1.Go to: www.youtube.com/@manassastherapydogs9963
E. Manassas Therapy Dogs members only Face Book
a. Members post pictures and information
b. Information regarding events visitation opportunities