Volunteer Discount Program

Pet Therapy with Macaron

Join Macaron on his therapy rabbit adventures! Macaron is an official Pet Partners therapy rabbit (ID: 1031916).

What is Pet Partners?
Pet Partners is the nation's leading therapy animal organization, providing training and certification for therapy animal teams who visit hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other facilities.

Why become a therapy pet handler?

• Make a difference in your community

• Share the joy of rabbits with people who need it

• Join Macaron on visits and events

• Qualify for Bun Chia Burrow volunteer discounts

How to Become a Pet Partners Therapy
Rabbit (or Guinea Pig) Handler

Step 1: Register for Pet Partners Account

Create your free account at Pet Partners Volunteer Portal .

Step 2: Complete Handler Course

Cost: $80
Format: Online, self-paced
Content: 8 modules + final exam
What you'll learn: Animal behavior, handler responsibilities, visit protocols, safety procedures

Step 3: Train Your Rabbit

Requirements:

• Must be harness trained

• Comfortable with handling by strangers

• Calm in new environments

• Good temperament and socialization

Need help? Contact us about rabbit training consultations to prepare your bunny for therapy work!

Step 4: Schedule Evaluation

Cost: $20+ (varies by evaluator)
What happens: A certified Pet Partners evaluator assesses your rabbit's temperament, behavior, and your handling skills in various scenarios
Duration: Typically 1-2 hours
Location: Through 3rd party evaluators in your area

Step 5: Complete Wellness Check

Requirement: Veterinary wellness check within 12 months of evaluation
What's needed: Your vet completes Pet Partners Animal Screener form confirming your rabbit is healthy and up-to-date on care

Step 6: Background Check

Cost: FREE
Why: Required for all handlers who will visit facilities with vulnerable populations

Step 7: Submit Registration Fees

Cost: $50+ (varies by affiliation)
Our affiliation: Pet Partners of SoCal
What you get: Official Pet Partners ID card, insurance coverage during visits, access to volunteer opportunities

Step 8: Claim Your Bun Chia Burrow Discount!

Once you've passed your evaluation and received your Pet Partners ID card, submit a copy to us to qualify for volunteer discounts on all future boarding and grooming services.

Total Investment to Become Certified

Approximate costs:

• Handler Course: $80

• Evaluation: $20-50 (varies)

• Veterinary wellness check: $50-100 (varies by vet)

• Background check: FREE

• Registration fees: $50+

• Total: Approximately $200-280

Time commitment:

• Handler course: 6-10 hours (self-paced)

• Training your rabbit: Varies by rabbit's temperament

• Evaluation: 1-2 hours