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 St. John Ambulance recognizes that many people can benefit physically and emotionally from regular contact with the unconditional love of a dog.
St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Services provides a volunteer and their dog on a regular basis as visitors in hospitals, seniors' residences or nursing homes where people are often restricted
from having pets. Relationships are established in these settings to make the visitations easier and ensure enjoyment on both sides.
Regular feedback from members of the medical, nursing, therapy and recreation personnel in the host facilities, has helped to increase the interest in the program. On-going dialogue has also ensured that program expectations are being met for patients, volunteers and for St. John Ambulance.
Therapy Dog Program in Alberta
The Therapy Dog Program is currently offered in Red Deer, Grande Prairie and Medicine Hat Centres. Please contact them for more information.
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Therapy Dog Services
Therapy Dog Services provides a regularly scheduled volunteer pet-handler and their dog to
visit patients who benefit from the unconditional love of dogs. The volunteers and their dogs
visit patients of all ages in hospitals, extended health care facilities, seniors homes,
special-needs schools, and other facilities. |
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Program Details |
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Activities: |
The program provides an opportunity for patients to:
- Talk with the volunteer and the dog
- Feel, touch, pet, stroke and/or cuddle the dog
- Receive unconditional love from the dog
- Walk the dog on a leash
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Impact: |
Through petting, affection, and regular visitation of a dog, the
patients find peace in the gentle contact with the dog and in
its quite presence. Patients talk more to others, participate in
activities, eat and sleep better, smile more - all of which
contributes to an improved quality of life. |
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Volunteer Benefits: |
• Community involvement and volunteer satisfaction.
• Quality time spent with your dog |
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Volunteer Requirements |
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We are looking for: |
Individuals who wish to provide volunteer service within their
communities using their pet (dog) to assist.
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Volunteer Age Group: |
18 years of age and older
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Training Prerequisites: |
Volunteers:
- Physically and mentally capable of performing the activities that are reasonable for the type of service they may be providing.
Dogs:
- Dogs one year of age and older
- Accepting of a friendly stranger
- Sitting calmly for petting
- Walking on a loose leash
- Walking through a crowd (including wheelchairs)
- Sitting on command/staying in place
- Reacting well to another dog or to distractions (noise, jogger).
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Time Requirement: |
Volunteers and their dogs are generally expected to provide
regular two-hour sessions to their designated facility.
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Skills Development: |
Volunteers are required to undergo extensive orientation
related to the service they may be providing.
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Volunteer Now! | |
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