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

Getting Started

Step 1: Sign up for a therapy animal training class in your area. (optional but recommended)

Below is a list of local training schools that have offered Therapy Animal Programs/classes in the past.  This list is not exhaustive nor does it represent an endorsement by NSTA. 

  • Agile Canines
  • All Breed Obedience – Woodbury
  • Animal Humane Society – Golden Valley
  • Animal Inn – Lake Elmo
  • Animal Inspirations – Hutchinson
  • Bloomington Obedience Training Club – Bloomington
  • Cloud Nine – Maple Grove
  • Paws Inn Resort – New Germany
  • PetSmart – Eden Prairie
  • TCOTC – Minneapolis

Step 2: Complete the Pet Partners® Therapy Animal Handler registration process

North Star Therapy Animals uses only registered Pet Partners® therapy animal teams. Pet Partners® is a nationally recognized organization that has established rigorous standards for both animals and their human handlers. By requiring North Star Therapy Animals teams to be registered with Pet Partners®, we ensure safe and effective therapy animal visits in our community. Read more about the Pet Partners® process.

Step 3: Become a North Star Therapy Animals member.

Become a member of North Star Therapy Animals and select from a large number of established facilities requesting therapy animal teams. North Star Therapy Animals membership provides networking, shadowing, and educational opportunities to help get you started.

Register for a Membership

HENRY ELIOPOULOS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

$250 Youth Scholarship.

Financial Grants Available to Support 18 Year and Under Handlers

Scholarship Funds Cover Training Costs and Registration Expenditures

Priority Will be Given to Rats, Small Animals and Non-Canine Teams

Apply Online – Application Forms Available here NSTA Henry E Youth Scholarship Application032321

Any Questions:  Use Contact Us Form Provided at northstartherapyanimals.org

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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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  • 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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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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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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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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