About 4-H PetPALS
How to Involve and Enroll Youth
The youth curriculum is designed as ten steps, to be taught and experienced in a minimum of ten meetings. The youth must have a suitable animal. Ownership of said animal is not required, however the youth must be associated with the animal long enough to form a bond.
A young person must:
- Be at least age 8 and enrolled in the third grade as of January 1 of the current year, and not over 18 years old. 4-H eligibility ends December 31 of the year in which an individual attains the age of 19.
- Either own a pet or have access to a pet:
- Establishing the human-animal bond and forming that youth-pet team are very important in this project and the basis for successful completion.
- Youth must have contact with the pet over a long enough time period to establish a positive bonding relationship with that animal
- Dogs and cats must be at least one year old prior to the first visit to the healthcare facility.
- Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas must be at least six months old prior to the first visit to the healthcare facility.
- Enroll in a 4-H club with a Master 4-H PetPALS Volunteer Leader.
- Successfully complete the activities in the 4-H PetPALS curriculum.
- Make a commitment to visit healthcare facilities upon completion of the curriculum.