DENVER PET PARTNERS

DPP strives to build healthier communities through the power of the human-animal bond. We achieve this by creating awareness of the transformative ability of animal-assisted intervention to make a difference in people's lives and optimizing the capability of people and their pets to partner as a therapy team. Our 10-year strategic plan outlines the following goals on which we make measurable progress and achieve societal-level change:

- Grow our base of skilled handler-animal teams to meet the demand for AAI services
- Build and nurture a culture of collaboration and serve as an industry thought partner
- Ensure organizational sustainability through leadership, membership and financial viability
- Raise awareness of the positive health effects of AAI

The following 4 strategic priorities for achieving our goals are:

Strategic Priority #1: Sustainability & Leadership
Goal: Ensure the sustainability of DPP through leadership, membership and financial viability.
Objective 1) Invest in human capital by identifying and cultivating leadership and leadership opportunities within the organization including providing continuing education and nurturing a culture of community with members and alumni.
Objective 2) Protect and uphold the visions and values of the organization in all interactions, ensuring compatible alignment with our ethics and values.
Objective 3) Optimize financial resources by evolving a more robust local marketing and fundraising strategy and expanding our network of in-kind training facilities.
Objective 4) Identify areas of opportunity and challenge for each organizational goal through a robust metrics reporting framework.

Strategic Priority #2: Operational Excellence
Goal: Build and nurture a culture of collaboration and serve as an industry thought partner
Objective 1) Establish and develop collaborative behaviors, skills, and capabilities to enhance relationships.
Objective 2) Enable sustainable collaborative relationships by harnessing joint capabilities and knowledge.
Objective 3) Manage risk constructively through processes that focus on relationship measurement and optimization, utilizing practices focused on transparency, seeking understanding, and clarity.

Strategic Priority #3: Excellent Community Service
Goal: Grow our base of skilled handler-animal teams to meet the demand for AAI services
Objective 1) Provide community education on the benefits and value of AAI.
Objective 2) Support existing teams with education and resources to maintain and increase their skills.
Objective 3) Increase the number of teams and efficacy of the recruitment and placement process.

Strategic Priority #4: Community Education and Awareness
Goal: Raise awareness of the positive health effects of AAI
Objective 1) Lead and participate in strategic efforts that work toward ensuring that all people interested in AAI have awareness of and access to AAI services.
Objective 2) Serve as an expert resource to professionals and institutions in the definition and delivery of AAI services.
Objective 3) Provide the highest value and very best service in everything we do for our members and clients.

Key resources that enable DPP to achieve results are:

Moral Capital -

DPP’s mission is driven by our core values of integrity, teamwork, respect, and service excellence. We adhere to an exemplary code of ethics for the field of AAI that is our guide for promoting and maintaining the highest standards of ethical behavior in the work we do. DPP overwhelmingly embraces the concept of “One Health” which asserts that the health and wellness of animals, people, and the environment are inextricably linked.

Expertise in implementing sustainable programs and history of dedicated service excellence -

As the largest animal-assisted intervention organization in Colorado, DPP has consistently provided skilled, trained volunteer handler-animal teams to a broad range of facilities in healthcare, education, and child welfare for over 20 years. DPP adheres to and promotes an evidence-based approach to zoonoses and AAI, ensuring safe practices for people and animals. In addition, we help invest in furthering the field of AAI through collaborating on research. We welcome opportunities to share our expertise and knowledge so everyone in the field can benefit.

Commitment to the long-term development of our volunteers and clients -

With the requirement for a therapy team to re-evaluate every 2 years to ensure a top level of skill and aptitude to provide safe and effective service, DPP has been instrumental in providing ongoing support of teams over the working life of their therapy animal, which may up to 8-10 years. We are also dedicated to expanding the web of support for our volunteers through our alumni program. DPP has a dedicated client liaison who works directly with facilities to set up programs including recruiting therapy teams to provide service and serve as an ongoing resource to ensure programmatic excellence.

Internal Resources:

DPP’s Board of Directors is a highly capable working Board representing strong core competencies in business and strategy, as well as individuals with extensive experience and depth of expertise in the field of animal-assisted intervention. Our volunteer membership base of skilled and committed handler-animal therapy teams, including instructors and evaluators, are dedicated to delivering exceptional service.

External Resources:

DPP has established strategic alliances in the animal-assisted intervention field locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

DPP continues to enhance the services of the education, healthcare and child welfare communities by aiding the rate of healing and teaching important life skills as well as increasing the knowledge of healthcare professionals about incorporating animals into the therapeutic treatment process.

Our membership base experiences steady growth in visiting animal teams and our constituent base of supporting members as a result of our Handler Training Workshops, therapy team evaluations, and community outreach. Our impact: 1500+ people have completed our Workshops; 2000+ handler-animal teams have evaluated through DPP.

DPP continues to increase our influence in the global AAI community through our involvement in the International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations; our community partnership with the national Pet Partners organization; and our commitment to advance scientific evidence of the benefits of human-animal interaction through participation in research studies with the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver.