Are Pet Partners, an organization engaged in animal assisted therapy, engaged in  doggie discrimination. Profiling?

Sadly, it appears so.

The organization claims to be the nation’s largest & most prestigious nonprofit registering handlers of multiple species as volunteer teams providing Animal-Assisted Interactions.

Chopper the Biker Dog is a five year old Boston terrier, a therapy dog whose mission is to bring smiles, joy, love and happiness to all, making a difference in life, “one Paw at a time”.

The dog has been riding his little Harley and spreading love and smiles since he was three months old. His dream is to travel the country, giving as much love to as many people as he can—at a time when the country seems to need it the most.

His dream is that one day, someone will sponsor him and help make that dream come true.

His Facebook page was created “to give you all smiles and Love”, Chopper’s owner says, “to help make a difference in your lives as well, sharing the love I give to others in hope it will bring something warm to your heart”.

But earlier this week, Chopper’s owner received an email from Pet Partners (formally “The Delta Society”)”, the organization that Chopper and his owner, a real estate agent in California, have been a part of with two therapy dogs for the past 10 years.

For 10 years, the two dogs have spread their love nationwide, dressing in a leather vest, goggles, doo-rag, bandana riding on a little Harley.

An email sent by Bilyana Yakova, Pet Partner’s Program Manager, Pet Partners has informed Chopper and his owner that his registration with the organization as a therapy dog has been suspended because of his “appearance”.“Pet Partners regrets to inform you that your registration with our organization is being suspended effective today. Our organization has specific expectations about appearance and professionalism which unfortunately are not met by your team”, the email read.

“We are concerned about the clothing in which Chopper is in the community. We are also concerned about the perception that your team may be creating in the community with regard to therapy animals.”

Yakova’s contact information is phone 425-679-5529, bilyanay@petpartners.org

Annie Magnant is the president of Pet Partners – anniem@petpartners.org

Pet Partners
875 124th Ave NE #101
Bellevue, WA 98005

“It is the therapeutic value and perception of Chopper’s costume itself that we have a concern about (in view of the disadvantages of costumes in the therapeutic context”, Pet Partners told Chopper’s owner.

“On May 14, one day after Chopper and I returned from a 10-day “tour” up the west coast, sharing MY love with as many people and with whoever we could, at different nursing facilities, Veterans, law enforcement, “Chopper’s fans”… and whoever was in need of something “special”, ON OUR OWN TIME”, his owner received the email announcing the suspension.“While Chopper does seem like a lovely dog, our organization would be concerned about him being represented as a “magical therapy dog” in the manner that your website and Facebook page do”, Pet Partners wrote. “It is the therapeutic value and perception of Chopper’s costume itself that we have a concern about (in view of the disadvantages of costumes in the therapeutic context”)”.

They referenced their policy about dogs wearing “costumes”: “Pet Partners doesn’t allow animals to be dressed in costumes for animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT), because costumes detract from the animal’s credibility as a therapy animal and a member of the facility’s treatment team.”

“Keep in mind the definition of a “costume”, and according to the “definition”, that does NOT describe Chopper”,his owner says on a posting on Chopper’s Facebook page. “What I do with Chopper is on my OWN time, and this organization has had FULL knowledge of what I have been doing, and even acknowledged it in numerous emails over the years, one being from Lisa Zeiner with Pet Partners, Therapy Animal Program Coordinator of Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA. The instructor and evaluator sents an email saying, ‘It looks like you two do an awesome job!’ (2012) Referring to Chopper and I”.

“In 2008 I received an email saying, “Bandit is adorable. “Just FYI, I’m not sure if you are aware of the new Delta rule about costumes, so you can’t bring him “to the evaluation” in full dress up. Only the leash and collar/harness you use.” JUST for the evaluation. Once again, ‘acknowledgment’.”

“On December, 2014 Chopper was up for renewal, was re-evaluated, and our renewal was accepted.

“This organization, Pet Partners (formally The Delta Society) has had FULL knowledge of my “biker dogs”…… for 10 years now!

“The point of this, for 10 years, this organization has had knowledge, and awareness of both Bandit and Chopper dressing up as “biker dogs”, visiting so many people in need, and making a positive difference to thousands, and hundreds of thousands of people over the years. They (Pet Partners) still gave us praise (in private emails), accepted our money and renewed our registration, UNTIL we went on our very publicized “road trip”, the SAME week they had the “biker gang” (as the news puts it) shooting / killing in Waco, TX…. coincidence? Profiling?

“This does not mean Chopper is no longer a “Therapy Dog” whatsoever. It means that this organization does not want him, and really needs to look at their rules and regulations closer, and change needs to be made, not to mention INSULTED US!! They need to look at the WHOLE “therapy-dog picture” of what a “therapy dog” is, does and brings to those in need, and the difference they make to those they visit…. And stop “judging”.

“Maybe Pet Partners would like to hear YOUR opinion or stories how a “Biker Dog” affected your life, or a loved one, maybe you would like YOUR voice to be heard”, Chopper’s owner write.

I have given Pet Partners numerous chances to retract their statements and “reinstate” Chopper based on he does not wear a “costume”, and that being the bases of the suspension, and they “stand by their decision.”

More about Chopper can be found at his website, http://www.ChopperTheBikerDog.com/; on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/user/ChopperTheBikerDog or his blog, http://blog.chopperthebikerdog.com/html  6-3-15

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