St. John Ambulance (Therapy Dog Volunteer Team)

• Background/police check required
• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Appropriate for volunteers aged 55 and over

Program Details

Therapy dog services are provided in a wide range of community settings such as:

• Hospitals
• Seniors residences and care facilities
• Schools, universities and colleges
• Community centres and libraries

The therapy dog program provides an opportunity for individuals to:

• Talk with the volunteer and the dog
• Feel, touch, pet and cuddle the dog
• Receive unconditional love from the dog
• Carry-out or practice an activity in the presence of the dog

The program offers many benefits, improving quality of lives.  Some of the reported benefits include:

• Greater social engagement with individuals/residents talking more, participating more in activities, and smiling more
• Stress relief and distraction from pain
• Comfort and calming
• Improved self-confidence and esteem

Are you interested in becoming a Therapy Dog volunteer?

We are always looking for individuals who wish to provide health care-oriented volunteer service within their community using their dog to assist.
Therapy dog volunteers must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• Physically and mentally capable of performing the activities that are reasonable for the type of service they may be providing
• Willing to complete an application process and a criminal record check
• Successfully participate in an evaluation
• Able to provide up-to-date veterinarian documents indicating that all required vacinations are current.

In order to be considered for the program,

• Dogs must be at least ONE year of age;
• Dogs must not be fed a raw-meat diet;
• Dogs must be on a regular regimen of veterinary vaccinations for rabies, parvovirus, distemper, and adenovirus.

Volunteers and their dogs are generally expected to provide regular visits in order to develop a bond with their designated patients.