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St. John Ambulance knows, many people can benefit physically and emotionally from regular contact with the unconditional love of a dog.
St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Services takes a volunteer and their dog into hospitals, seniors' residences or nursing homes on a weekly basis. Partnerships have been established in these kinds of settings, where people are often restricted from having pets, to make the Therapy Dog visitation easier and on a regular basis.
Regular feedback from members of the medical, nursing, therapy and recreation personnel in the host institutions, have contributed to an increased interest in the program. On-going dialogue has also ensured that program expectations are being met for patients, volunteers and for St. John Ambulance.
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Therapy Dog Services
Therapy Dog Services brings on a weekly basis a volunteer pet-handler and their dog to hospitals, seniors' homes, special needs schools, extended health care facilities and others, to visit patients of all ages, who can benefit from the unconditional love of dogs. |
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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 quiet presence. Patients talk more to others, participate in activities, eat and sleep better and smile more. As a result patients’ quality of life is improved. |
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Volunteer Benefits: |
Community involvement and volunteer satisfaction. |
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Volunteer Requirements |
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We are looking for: |
Individuals who wish to provide health care-oriented 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 weekly 15-20 minutes of visitation per patient, which is the minimum to create a bond between the patient and the dog. |
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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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