Pets and Friends - Volunteer Information Session

About Pets and Friends

Since 1982, Pets and Friends, a non-profit registered charity, has been sharing the healing comfort and companionship of animals through volunteer therapy dog visitations in the lower mainland of BC. Therapy Dogs are part of a 'Therapy Dog Team’ consisting of a volunteer handler and their friendly companion dog. These 'teams’ go through a screening process that includes an application, criminal record check, therapy dog evaluations, and an orientation training session before being matched with a facility requesting therapy dog services where they make regular volunteer visits for at least one year. The many benefits of therapy dog visits include easing feelings of loneliness and depression in seniors residing at care facilities, providing a welcome distraction from pain and treatment among patients in hospitals, and reducing anxiety and stress in college students during exams.

Eligibility

Dog requirements

• Be one (1) year of age or older.
• Be owned by and have lived with their handler for a minimum of three (3) months.
• Have up-to-date vaccinations for rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza.
• Be clean, healthy and well groomed (odor free, nails clipped and filed, teeth brushed).
• Be friendly, social and enjoy meeting new people.
• Successfully complete the Pets and Friends Pet Screening/Evaluation.

Handler requirements

• Be at least sixteen (16) years’ old.
• Successfully pass a criminal record check to work with vulnerable populations.
• Be willing to complete the application process.
• Provide and comply with pet vaccination requirements.
• Commit to a regular volunteer visiting schedule for a minimum of one (1) year.

About this event

Learn more about the pet therapy program including requirements, expectations, ongoing commitment, steps to become a pet therapy team, how to apply, available opportunities as well as ask any questions you may have.

More information

For more information, please email Katie at: info@petsandfriends.org or visit www.petsandfriends.org.

Please note: You must live in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada to participate in the pet therapy program.