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The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program builds on our outstanding tradition of providing expert First Aid, Health and Community Care.
Established in 1992, the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program has grown to become a recognized leader in Animal-Assisted therapy.
The program reaches out to thousands of people across Canada on a daily basis. The Therapy Dog Program brings comfort, joy and companionship to members of the community who are sick, lonely or reside in full-time care facilities. Clients reap the therapeutic benefits of the unconditional love of a four-legged friend.
Great care is taken in the selection of the dogs. All dogs are tested for temperament and therapeutic qualities, and must be annually certified by their veterinarians as being up-to-date on all required vaccinations and in good general health. It is a requirement of the program that all dogs must be clean and thoroughly groomed before each visit.
Our volunteers are covered by the same comprehensive insurance coverage that St. John Ambulance provides for all its members. Volunteers wear a distinctive uniform identifying them as St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog members. Volunteers must participate in an extensive screening process that includes reference checks, a criminal records check, orientation and training.
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Therapy Dog Services
Therapy Dog Services brings on a regular basis a volunteer handler and their dog to acute and long term care facilities, hospitals, palliative care, rehabilitation and children's health centres, to visit clients 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 clients to:
- Talk with the volunteer and the dog
- Feel, touch, pet, stroke and/or cuddle the dog
- Receive unconditional love from the dog
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Impact: |
Through petting, affection, and regular visitation of a dog the clients find peace in the gentle contact with the dog and in its quiet presence. Clients talk more to others, participate in activities, eat and sleep better and smile more. As a result clients’ 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 client, which is the minimum to create a bond between the client 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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Volunteer Now! | |
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