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Tails of Joy

Providing Therapeutic Benefit to People Through the Use of Animals

 

Tails of Joy members volunteer throughout Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties in Connecticut.

HomeMembership

Membership in Tails of Joy

TOJ welcomes members who are registered with the nationally recognized animal therapy organizations Intermountain Therapy Animals and Pet Partners and those who are in training to become registered teams.

Members must acknowledge reviewing the Incident or Accident Policy and the Tails of Joy Best Practices.

Incident or Accident Policy and Procedure (PDF)

Tails of Joy Best Practices (Revised November 2025) (PDF)

Membership Fees


Individual Membership $40.00

Family Membership $50.00
Two or more members in the same family. Children must be between 12 and 17 years old.

Associate Membership $30.00

All memberships are from July 1 to June 30th.

Membership Application (PDF)(Rev 1-2026)

Benefits of Tails of Joy Membership

  • Tails of Joy has its own trainers, members that are approved by either ITA or Pet Partners, offering classes regularly throughout the year.
  • These classes are aimed at strengthening the bond between you and your partner, learning new skills and preparing both of you for your registering organization's evaluation.
  • Tails of Joy has member evaluators and hosts evaluations several times per year.
  • Consistent membership entitles a member to one FREE evaluation per year.
  • New member teams have access to mentoring opportunities with experienced therapy team handlers. 
  • Subscription to Tall Tails – our newsletter with informative articles related to Animal Assisted Activity/Animal Assisted Therapy (AAA/AAT), training opportunities, social activities, and more.
  • Regular opportunities to meet as members to socialize, offer support and exchange experiences.
  • Tails of Joy has an established Animal Assistance Crisis Response Team that falls under the auspices of Manchester C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team), giving our team recognition at both the state and national levels.
  • The Reading with Tails program is well known within area school districts and libraries, offering many opportunities to work with primary grade students in an educational setting.
  • Tails of Joy has numerous volunteer opportunities available including Assisted Living/Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Veterans Homes, Prisons, Colleges, Libraries, Elementary Schools, Group Homes, Hospice, Rehab, Cancer Treatment and Homeless Shelters. Our request coordinators share requests with members on an ongoing basis.
  • Members have the ability to find new volunteer opportunities on their own and have experienced membership support to help with the details of setting up a program.
  • Members have the opportunity to take on leadership roles, utilizing their skillsets and strengths to move the organization forward.
 

Tails of Joy is an ITA Affiliate Organization