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. 

Apply to be a Therapy Dog Volunteer!

Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Cape Breton

Program Details:

Activities:
The Therapy Dog program provides an opportunity for patients/residents to:

• Talk with the volunteer and the dog
• Feel, touch, pet, stroke and/or cuddle the dog
• Receive unconditional love from the dog
• Assist with walking the dog on a leash

Impact:
Through petting, affection, and regular visitation of a dog, patients/residents 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, smile more. As a result their quality of life is improved.
Other program benefits have been found to include:

• Reducing stress levels
• Lowering blood pressure
• Calming the distressed
• Comforting the dispondent
• Distracting the pain-ridden

Volunteer Benefits:
Community involvement and volunteer satisfaction.

Volunteer Requirements:

We are looking for:
Individuals who wish to provide health care-oriented volunteer service within their community using their pet (dog) to assist.

Volunteer Age Group:
Volunteer must be 18 years of age or older. Dog must be one year of age or older.

Training Pre-requisites:
Volunteers:

• Must be physically and mentally capable of performing the activities that are reasonable for the type of service they may be providing
• Must complete an application process and a criminal record check

Dogs:

• Dogs one year of age or 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, etc)

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.

Skills Development:
Volunteers are required to undergo extensive orientation related to the service they may be providing.