Get Involved: Childrens Center - Volunteer - Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy

Volunteer - Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy

Description:

The Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy program offers handlers and their pets an opportunity to provide comfort, entertainment, companionship, and assistance with patient therapy.

 

By spending time one-on-one and in groups of patients, families, staff, and guests, Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy teams bring a sense of normalcy into the long-term healthcare setting and support mental and emotional goals of all individuals the teams may spend time with.

 

About Our Program:

 

Are you interested in being an Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy team at our hospital?

We want to get connected! Please email [email protected] with the following information:

• Your Name
• Pet's Name & Breed
• Photo of You & Your Pet
• Facility You & Your Pet Received Credentialing/Registry

 

Important Information:

 

To be considered for a team opportunity at Bethany Children's Health Center, teams:

• Must consist of a dog.
  • No other types of animals are accepted at this time.

 

• Must be credentialed or registered by a National Therapy Animal Association and/or Registry.

 

• Must have a dog who is a minimum of one year old.

 

• Abide by annual vaccination and veterinarian visit, semi-annual parasite inspection, and bathing/grooming 24 hours prior to visit requirements.
  • Pet vaccinations must include:
    • Distemper
    • Hepatitis
    • Leptospirosis
    • Para Influenza
    • Parvo
    • Rabies

 

Volunteer - Time Commitment:

 

Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy teams are expected to serve a minimum a one or two-hour shift, once a week.

 

Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy teams are expected to serve a minimum one-year commitment.

 

Volunteer - Available Days, Times, and Locations:

 

Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy shifts are based on the needs of the hospital. Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy teams regularly have opportunities available for the following days of the week:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday

 

Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy offers typically occur during the following shift times:

• 9 am to 11 am
• 1 pm to 4 pm

 

Animal-Assisted Pet Therapy is offered the following areas of the hospital:

• Complex Care (CC)
• Pedatric Medical Rehabilitation Unit - South (PMRU-S)
• Outpatient (2nd Floor)
• Transitional Care (3rd Floor)
• Pediatric Medical Rehabilitation Unit (4th Floor)

 

Interests:

Group Activities, Community engagement and/or events

Skills:

Extrovert