North Star Therapy Animals

Therapy Animal Services in Minnesota

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  • Who We Are
    • Therapy Animal Stars

      We are a group of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about therapy animal services and benefits they bring to individuals in our communities.

    • Who We Are

      • Our Story
      • Our Mission
      • Our Services
      • Meet Our Stars
      • Facilities We Visit
  • Become a Team
    • Wanted! More Teams

      We are looking for more therapy animal teams to join us. If you are interested in forming wonderful friendships, making treasured memories & finding personal fulfillment then you are in the right place!

    • Become a Team

      • Getting Started
      • Membership
      • FAQ
  • Our Animals
    • Leaving Paw Prints

      A therapy animal is a specially trained animal that partners with its human handler to volunteer at a variety of facilities and events, bringing joy, comfort, and companionship to those they meet.

    • Our Animals

      • Meet Our Stars
      • What is a therapy animal?
      • Who Uses Therapy Animal Services?
      • FAQ
  • News & Events
    • Therapy Animal Tales

      Read about the great work our teams are doing out in the field and stay up to date on what’s happening with the North Star Therapy Animals organization.

      Have a great story to share? Send us a note and let us know!

    • News & Events

      • News
      • Events
  • Request a Visit
    • We’d Love To Visit!

      Invite us over to bring happiness, companionship and courage to the people you work with.

    • Request a Visit

      • Request a Visit
      • Facilities We Visit
      • Our Services
  • Members
    • Membership Has Benefits

      Being a North Star Therapy Animal member has many benefits. You witness people make amazing transformations, your relationship with your animal grows and you also get to see what’s in this section!

    • Members

      • Member Login
  • Contact
    • Hello There!

      Want to learn more about North Star Therapy Animals? Fill out the contact form and we will get back to you.

    • Contact Us

      • Contact Form
      • Request a Visit
      • Become a Member

Membership

Anyone may join North Star Therapy Animals, whether or not they are registered as a therapy animal team with another organization. Current Pet Partners® registered handlers and animals who intend to do facility visits should register for the Team Membership.

People who do not have a current Pet Partners® registration or who do not have an animal partner can opt for the Individual Membership.

North Star Therapy Animals’ two membership options are outlined below:

Team Membership (with an animal partner)

All Team Memberships require a current registration with the Pet Partners® program.

Dues: $25/year

Additional Requirements:

  1. You will need to submit a copy of your current Pet Partners® registration card to North Star Therapy Animals’ Membership Coordinator and pay your annual dues.
  2. The handler will need to meet with a new member mentor to complete a NSTA orientation session. This one-on-one meeting is designed to familiarize you with the programs we offer, how we can be of assistance to you, and answer any questions you may have.
  3. You will need to commit to at least one (1) year of volunteering with NSTA, and commit to volunteering at least one (1) time per month (at the facility of your choice). You will also need to report your hours each month (along with specific details) via our website.
  4. You will need to attend a minimum of two (2) NSTA group meetings per year. These meetings are designed to give everyone a chance to meet other NSTA members, keep everyone apprised of NSTA news and events, to provide educational opportunities, and allow time for questions and discussion. There are six (6) regularly scheduled meetings per year – one every other month, starting in January.

Individual Membership (without an animal partner)

All participation at this level must be done without an animal partner.

Dues: $15/year

Membership at this level allows individuals to attend NSTA volunteer meetings, access the members-only section of our website, to socialize and network with others who are involved in animal therapy, to participate in educational opportunities, and to offer assistance to the group.

Additional Requirements:

  1. The individual will need to meet with a new member mentor to complete our orientation session. This one-on-one meeting is designed to familiarize you with the programs we offer and to answer any questions you may have.
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North Star Therapy Animals is with Sheryl Stock Cater.
3 days ago
North Star Therapy Animals

North Star Therapy Animals lost a precious volunteer on January 6. Mac was 13 1/2 years old and had been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2013!

Mac and Me (handler Sheryl) volunteered at Schools, MSP Airport, Fairview Hospital, Libraries, Shelters and more over his 10 year volunteer career.

Thank you Mac. You made a huge difference in so many lives!
... See MoreSee Less

North Star Therapy Animals lost a precious volunteer on January 6. Mac was 13 1/2 years old and had been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2013!

Mac and Me (handler Sheryl)  volunteered at Schools, MSP Airport, Fairview Hospital, Libraries, Shelters and more over his 10 year volunteer career.

Thank you Mac.  You made a huge difference in so many lives!
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  • Likes: 45
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  • Comments: 9

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So sorry for your loss😢. I’ve been doing pet therapy since 2009. & what I know is that you & Mac left a legacy of love in the hearts of those you visited that will never be erased. People remember those that touch their lives in special ways.

I am so sorry for this loss. What a difference Mac made. May memories bring you comfort.

So sorry for your loss! You are in our thoughts and prayers for comfort and healing ❤️🙏🏻🐾 Mac, your angel wings are lined in gold!

So sorry for your loss. I hope all the wonderful memories you have of him help you during this time.

I'm sorry for your loss. Max will be deeply missed.

I’m very sorry for your loss. ❤️

Thank you for all the visits you and Max have done.He will be missed

Rest easy Mac. Thanks for all you did. 

So very sorry for your loss. Thank you for the love you shared with so many, Mac and Sheryl.❤️🥰

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North Star Therapy Animals
1 week ago
North Star Therapy Animals

www.dvm360.com/view/habri-selects-final-grant-recipient

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Pet Partners announced that Purdue University will receive a grant for its research project that will investigate the impact interacting with a dog has on human brain activities
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HABRI selects final grant recipient

www.dvm360.com

The grant will be awarded to Purdue University to be used in new brain imaging research to measure human-dog interaction
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North Star Therapy Animals
2 weeks ago
North Star Therapy Animals

Benji, the Pet Partners therapy Shih Tzu, is convinced that Bully Sticks are fruit. So he insists on getting the recommended 5 servings a day.

To placate this pup, however, you need only scratch him behind his ears. Benji will then forget about the sticks, and that's no bully.
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  • Likes: 8
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  • Comments: 5

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Such a lovable Boy.

He is the best !!

Sweet benji 💕

So cute!

Benjamin!!!! 🐾

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North Star Therapy Animals
2 weeks ago
North Star Therapy Animals

mnwild-my.sharepoint.com/personal/sam_johnson_xcelenergycenter_com/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2F... ... See MoreSee Less

https://mnwild-my.sharepoint.com/personal/sam_johnson_xcelenergycenter_com/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fsam%5Fjohnson%5Fxcelenergycenter%5Fcom%2FDocuments%2FDog%20Show%20live%20shots%2FTherapy%20Dogs%20Dog%20Show%5F01%2D07%2D2023%5F08%2E39%2E26%2Emp4&ga=1
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  • Likes: 16
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North Star Therapy Animals featured on KARE11

I was having trouble seeing the link but I think this link works…

Wonderful job Kathy.love the glasses.

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North Star Therapy Animals
3 weeks ago
North Star Therapy Animals

Come join us today at thecLand O Lakes Kennel Club dog show ... See MoreSee Less

Come join us today at thecLand O Lakes Kennel Club dog showImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
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  • Likes: 24
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  • Comments: 2

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Louie and I had so much fun talking to people about therapy dogs and visiting opportunities!

Cruiser had a great time!!

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All North Star Therapy Animals are registered with Pet Partners.

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