Your Path to Becoming a
Credentialed Team

Credentialing is the heart of Windwalker. It’s how we ensure every therapy team meets the highest standard of care, for the people they serve and the pets who serve alongside them.

WHY IT MATTERS

A Standard You Can Trust

Credentialing is what separates professional pet assisted therapy from a friendly visit. Every Windwalker team completes a university-based course of study, joins the coalition, and commits to the ethical and philosophical standards that guide our work.

That standard is why Windwalker is the only pet assisted therapy organization approved for the Rhode Island Family Court, and why hospitals, schools, and libraries across the state trust our teams.

Courses in the
DJ Certificate

THE CREDENTIALING PATH

Four Steps to Becoming a Team

Credentialing takes commitment from both ends of the leash. Here is the full path, from first inquiry to working team.

Join Windwalker

Membership comes first. Only active members can be credentialed, so dues must be current before your file can move forward.

Complete the DJ Program

Three courses covering ethics, hands-on facility experience, and a supervised internship with your own pet.

Submit Your Packet

Application, health statement, photo release, and your commitment to the Windwalker code of ethics.

Work as a Team

Once credentialed, you and your pet design and run a program in a setting that fits your pet’s personality.

THE DJ PROGRAM WITH URI

Three Courses, One Certificate

The D.J., Maj-En & Panda Girl Inspired Professional Pet Assisted Therapy Certificate Program has been taught since 1990 and moved to the University of Rhode Island in 2024. It is approved for Continuing Education Units with NASW-RI.

🐾 The Ethical Foundation of PPAT

Evening classes covering research in the profession, its history, and the ethical, legal, and safety issues that shape practice. Students study the link of abuse and the DJ Respect for Living Things program, a pet-inspired violence prevention and anti-bullying curriculum, and learn how to build goal-oriented, treatment-based programs.

Credentialed facilitators visit as guest lecturers with their own family pets. One session is dedicated to temperament testing of pets.

🐾 Building the Bond

Hands-on and paws-on learning. Family therapy pets and their guardians experience the sights and sounds of the facilities where they will work: elevators, wheelchairs, fire alarms, and patients in bed.

Held at Elmhurst Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, 50 Maude Street, Providence. There is a mid-term evaluation to gauge progress and a final evaluation. Because this is a group class of up to ten, dogs in heat cannot attend. Talk to the Program Director before enrolling if that may apply to your dog.

🐾 Experiencing the Joy

Students and their pets provide real pet assisted therapy treatment, in two parts. Part A is 10 supervised hours at training sites such as Elmhurst Healthcare and Rehabilitation, The Village at Waterman Lake, Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit, public library programs, and veteran programs.

Part B is where it becomes yours. For a further ten hours you create your own program in a facility that has never had one, built around your pet’s personality and interests. That is why no two Windwalker programs look alike.

● NOW ENROLLING

New DJ Course 1 Begins Monday, January 4, 2027!

Elmhurst Rehabilitation Center, Providence, RI. Course questions can go to Program Director Cynthia Vanaudenhove at DJPPAT24@gmail.com or 401-309-4225.

What Happens Next

You submit this form and receive a confirmation by email.

We review your request and identify credentialed teams available in your area.

We contact you within three to five business days to arrange a first visit.

Good to Know

Each team is one credentialed therapy pet and one guardian-facilitator. Visit length follows the activity and the wellbeing of the pet.

Teams provide both professional and volunteer services in educational, clinical, and therapeutic settings.

Not Ready to Book?

If you have a general question first, we are happy to talk it through.

Which application are you submitting?

Initial Credential Application:: newly completed the DJ Program Renewal of Credential Application:: every two years New Pet Credentialing Application:: currently credentialed team adding another pet

Are you an active Windwalker member with dues current?

Yes, my dues are current No, or I am not sure

Your application cannot be processed until membership dues are current. You can still submit this form, and we will hold it while you join or renew. Membership options

Your full name

Street address

City

State

ZIP

Phone

Name of your family therapy pet or pets

If you are credentialing more than one pet, list each name.

Name of your own PAT program (optional)

For example Tillie Time, Clover’s Kids, Peace-Train.

Where do you provide PPAT?

List the facilities, schools or settings where you currently work, or expect to.

Do you receive payment for your PPAT services?

Yes No

This determines which proof of insurance you need to provide.

AKC title (optional)

Uploading your documentsAccepted file types are PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC and DOCX, up to 10 MB per file. You can upload more than one file per item where needed, for example both pages of an insurance policy.

Which proof of liability insurance are you providing?

Option 1 — Homeowners or renters insurance::Must upload BOTH the Declarations page showing dates of coverage AND the liability section stating coverage for claims involving an animal or pet. Help text must say this explicitly, because applicants routinely send only the Declarations page. Option 2 — Professional or malpractice insurance::For example through NASW for a social worker. Must show animal endorsement coverage. Option 3 — Windwalker General Liability insurance::Credentialed teams only. Free, covered by the membership fee, but SITE SPECIFIC. Show the note explaining that a separate Request a Team form must be submitted for each site, and annually each October, for coverage to apply. Upload the most recent confirmation email.

Windwalker General Liability insurance is site-specific and free, covered by your membership fee. A separate Request a Team form must be submitted for each site, and annually each October, for coverage to apply. Upload your most recent confirmation below.

You indicated that you receive payment for your services. Homeowners or renters cover is generally not sufficient where services are paid. Professional liability insurance is normally required.

Upload your proof of insurance

Attach all relevant pages.

Rabies certificate

Must be dated and show the expiration date.

Rabies expiration date

Veterinary health statement

Signed by your veterinarian and dated within the last six months.

Current town or city dog licence

Photo of your active therapy team

Pet and guardian together. JPEG preferred.

Required for initial applicants

Certificate of completion, DJ Program (all three courses)

Required for renewing teams

Are you providing a reference letter or a temperament test?

Reference letter Temperament test

Upload your signed reference letter

A temperament test must be scheduled with the DJ Program Director. Submit this form and we will be in touch to arrange an appointment. Your $50 credential fee is waived when a temperament evaluation is requested for a renewal.

Required when credentialing a new pet

A temperament evaluation is required for the new pet. There may be up to three observations, at the discretion of the DJ Program Director. A $50 fee for service applies per pet, payable to the DJ Program Director. The $50 Windwalker credential renewal fee is waived.

Temperament evaluation, if already completed (optional)

The Windwalker credential agreement *

Please read each statement. Ticking the box below confirms you agree to all of them.

I am an active member of Windwalker, my annual dues are paid up to date, and I will renew my credential by the expiration date on the card.

I understand and will abide by the Windwalker Code of Ethics and Windwalker’s Best Practices, including the use of safe equipment when working with my pet.

I will conduct myself in a professional manner and maintain confidentiality.

I will respect the work of other professional pet assisted therapy teams and discuss their work respectfully.

I understand that I provide, now and in the future, professional pet assisted therapy services as an independent contractor or provider, and will take full responsibility for any event that may occur in the provision of those services.

I understand that when providing PPAT services I will identify my pet as a Therapy Pet, not a Service or Emotional Support Animal, with a tag, vest or label.

I hold the appropriate liability insurance that covers my services, and hold Windwalker harmless for any liability claim resulting from any incident occurring in my provision of pet assisted therapy services.

I understand that Windwalker assumes no responsibility or liability for any event that may occur in the provision of pet assisted therapy services.

I will keep Windwalker informed of my insurance status and keep my liability insurance coverage up to date. I will notify Windwalker of any change in status, including retirement, receipt of payment, or my pet’s health, that would affect liability.

If I notice that my pet is not enjoying the work, I will stop services and notify Windwalker.

I have read and agree to all of the statements above.

General Liability insurance policy acknowledgment *

All credentialed teams must review the Windwalker General Liability insurance policy and complete the separate acknowledgment form.

Key points. Credentialing alone does not provide liability coverage. A Request a Team form must be submitted for each site before providing therapy, and annually each October, for coverage to apply. The policy year runs 31 October to 30 October. Teams working at Kent County and Washington County Courthouses are exempt, as those visits are covered under Windwalker’s agreement with the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Open the full policyNot yet opened

I have read the Windwalker General Liability insurance policy in full and agree to follow it.

Open the policy above to enable this checkbox.

Credential fee

$50.00

Covers credentialing for two calendar years, to the March due date, and includes your credential badge. A replacement badge carries a small additional fee.

How to pay. Post a cheque made out to Windwalker to Amy Gaddes, 80 Cydot Drive, North Kingstown, RI 02852.

Based on your answers, your $50 Windwalker credential fee is waived. Note that a separate fee for service may apply to the DJ Program Director for a new pet evaluation.

Electronic signature

Type your full name. This carries the same weight as a signature on the paper form.

Date

Anything else we should know? (optional)

EQUIPMENT STANDARDS

What Your Pet Wears Matters

Windwalker equipment standards exist to protect the pet. Anything that works by causing discomfort has no place in this profession.

ACCEPTABLE

Collar
Leather, nylon, or fabric, closing with a buckle, quick release clip, or snap.

Leash
All leather or all fabric apart from the clip, no longer than six feet.

Harness
Fabric or leather, well fitted, metal only at the attachment rings. A front chest connection is preferred.

To bring
Water and a bowl, waste bags, a mat or blanket if your pet likes one, and small soft treats.

NEVER USED

Collars
Prong, chain choke, martingale with chain, shock, and vibration collars. Metal collars or harnesses.

Head gear
Halti or head halter type equipment worn over the nose.

Leashes
Retractable, stretchable, slip, and metal leashes.

Flea collars
Fine for prevention, but removed and stored before any client interaction to prevent skin reactions.

Your Path to Becoming aCredentialed Team