Pet Therapy Volunteer Program
The Bow Valley SPCA Pet Therapy Program was created to reach people across the Bow Valley who are ill, lonely, or in crisis as well as at community and special events. Our Pet Therapy Teams bring much comfort, joy, and companionship to members of our community who reap the benefits of the unconditional love and companionship provided by our four-legged friends.
Why Therapy Dogs?
The Bow Valley SPCA Pet Therapy Program allows volunteers and their dogs to visit patients in hospitals, long-term care, and senior’s residences on a regular basis. Our Pet Therapy Teams can also be found in schools, libraries and at community events. Individuals benefit both physically and emotionally from the unconditional love provided by dogs. Benefits include:
- Non-judgmental Companionship
- Comfort
- Calming Presence
- Interaction & Communication
- Memory & Social Stimulation
- Reduction in Stress & Anxiety
- Reduction in Blood Pressure & Heart Rate
Our volunteers also benefit from being part of the Program. They get to spend quality time with their best friend, meet new people, provide a much-needed service to their community and most importantly - make someone’s day brighter by visiting with their dog!
Program Requirements
To become a volunteer with the Bow Valley SPCA Pet Therapy Program, the following requirements must be met.
Volunteer handlers must:
- Be 18 years of age.
- Be able and willing to commit to regular visits.
- Complete both Therapy Dog Volunteer Application and the supplementary documentation (Therapy Dog specific detail).
- Provide vaccination records for your dog.
- One of our coordinators will then be in touch to schedule a Therapy Dog Evaluation (details below).
- If your dog passes the Therapy Dog Evaluation, enroll in and complete our on-line Volunteer Orientation Program within four weeks of your dog’s assessment.*
*Registration requires as $25 program fee (this includes a volunteer t-shirt, which you will receive during your first Onboarding Orientation) - You will receive an email from one of our Volunteer Coordinators outlining next steps. In this email you will also be provided with a letter and information about obtaining a Criminal Record Check and/or Vulnerable Sector Check (which must be completed within the last 6 months).**
**This is a free-of-charge service for community volunteers through the local RCMP detachment. - Once you have submitted your Criminal Record Check, final steps to arrange in-person onboarding will be sent to you.
Dogs must meet the following requirements:
- Be a minimum of 2 years of age.
- Be spayed/neutered.
- Have up-to-date Rabies and DAPP vaccinations.
- Have lived with you for at least 6 months.
- Be healthy for the visit.
- Be clean and well groomed.
During a visit handlers must:
- Be friendly with a natural ability to engage with people.
- Be healthy for the visit.
- Be aware that you are visiting people in their homes, so ensuring their privacy is key.
- Be aware of the exterior weather conditions so that you can ensure that both your dog and you will have dry shoes and paws for the visit.
- Ensure your dog has adequate time to be toileted prior to the visit with their waste properly disposed.
Dog Therapy Evaluation
During the evaluation, handlers and their dogs will be put through several situations, stressors and challenges that may mirror a therapy dog visit. The test will evaluate the dog’s temperament, sociability, obedience skills and ability to follow their handler’s lead. It is key that the dog must not show any signs of aggression including barking at other dogs or humans during this evaluation.