Volunteering
ENVIRONMENTS
Pet Connections will match each volunteer with the environments that suit each owner’s interests, the canine’s temperament, and available volunteer opportunities. Different pet therapy environments require different expectations for handling your dog. For example, the necessary temperament for Occupational Therapy sessions will be much different from the perfect disposition for after school reading programs. These classifications can be modified during the course of volunteerism and owners are welcome to work with our evaluation staff to seek new opportunities throughout your time with Pet Connections. We also offer specific resources for specialized animal assisted interactions such as emotional support, veterans support dogs and palliative care.
Animal assisted interventions
Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) programs are less goal-directed as specific objectives may not be planned. These interventions are more spontaneous, often no therapeutic notes are taken but volunteer engagements are documented and summarized for each visit.
Animal Assisted Education (AAE) programs are formal, goal-directed and designed to promote improvement in cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part of the educational process. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) programs are formally goal-directed, led by an Occupational Therapist and designed to promote improved physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part of the treatment process. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated.
Animal Assisted Education (AAE) programs are formal, goal-directed and designed to promote improvement in cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part of the educational process. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) programs are formally goal-directed, led by an Occupational Therapist and designed to promote improved physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part of the treatment process. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated.
Volunteer Expectations
Volunteers are asked to visit at least one facility per month with their dog. The comfort of your pet is always the first priority so we create optimal conditions for our volunteer teams such as program duration and designated pet relief areas.
Volunteer Application
If you would like to become a Pet Connections Certified volunteer with your dog, please complete a volunteer application and return it along with the requested health and vaccination information. We will review your application and contact you to begin the certification process.
Dog Training
We’ve built our program from the ground-up and have several training options whether you’re just getting involved in therapy dog volunteering or just want to have more confidence working with your dog in a variety of environments; we’ve got the training courses for you!
Volunteer Certification
Our evaluation staff are experienced and have particular expertise in reading canine body language and demeanor as well as aligning those characteristics with potential external stimulation that could impact a volunteer session. You will receive a copy of the completed evaluation which will include notes regarding the interaction. Certification requires both an initial evaluation and a facility evaluation.
The initial evaluation is designed to determine your dog’s general disposition as well as your relationship with your dog in a public setting. We will be looking for the general temperament, basic obedience and handling skills.
Upon successful completion of your evaluation you will attend the next volunteer orientation meeting where you will meet with Pet Connections team leaders to learn about the opportunities and expectations of our program. At the orientation meeting you will be invited to a facility evaluation that matches a specific public environment suited for you and your dog.
All volunteers are encouraged to pursue additional training and workshop opportunities to improve their communication with their pet and to create the best possible experience when volunteering.
Re-certification is required every two years in order to maintain the level of oversight necessary to make sure we are promoting healthy ongoing interactions for your dog.
The initial evaluation is designed to determine your dog’s general disposition as well as your relationship with your dog in a public setting. We will be looking for the general temperament, basic obedience and handling skills.
Upon successful completion of your evaluation you will attend the next volunteer orientation meeting where you will meet with Pet Connections team leaders to learn about the opportunities and expectations of our program. At the orientation meeting you will be invited to a facility evaluation that matches a specific public environment suited for you and your dog.
All volunteers are encouraged to pursue additional training and workshop opportunities to improve their communication with their pet and to create the best possible experience when volunteering.
Re-certification is required every two years in order to maintain the level of oversight necessary to make sure we are promoting healthy ongoing interactions for your dog.
Certifications Fees
Pet Connections is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization and depends on community donations, fundraising and program fees in order to provide ongoing opportunities in our region.
Each volunteer team passing the certification process will be charged a one-time certification fee of $40. This one-time fee covers the costs associated with a volunteer’s application and orientation expenses as well as the costs associated with ongoing membership and community education workshops. There is also a $25 fee for the evaluation process, at the end of which you will receive a copy of the evaluation which will include feedback regarding the interaction.
Annual dues of $40 allow us to maintain our insurance coverage, volunteer training scholarships and the cost of our community outreach programming.
Each volunteer team passing the certification process will be charged a one-time certification fee of $40. This one-time fee covers the costs associated with a volunteer’s application and orientation expenses as well as the costs associated with ongoing membership and community education workshops. There is also a $25 fee for the evaluation process, at the end of which you will receive a copy of the evaluation which will include feedback regarding the interaction.
Annual dues of $40 allow us to maintain our insurance coverage, volunteer training scholarships and the cost of our community outreach programming.
Lapse Re-Certification Fees
Volunteers requiring re-certification due to inactivity (no facility visits within 6 months or more) will have to start the certification process over and will be charged an initial fee of $40 as well as any applicable re-evaluation fees.
Pet Connections Membership
Pet Connections is the regional standard for pet therapy volunteer programs because of our broad experience assessing and training canine volunteer teams to participate in animal assisted interactions in different environments throughout our area.
By completing the Pet Connections certification process you will receive supplemental liability insurance coverage while volunteering for Pet Connections partner volunteer sites as well as Pet Connections activities and programs.
Each Pet Connections certified volunteer canine will be issued an authorized leash sleeve indicating the organizations affiliation and all dogs are required to wear the leash sleeve while volunteering. Members will also receive discounts on grooming services at the BAD DOG Spa as well as discounted prices for BAD DOG Retail items.
By completing the Pet Connections certification process you will receive supplemental liability insurance coverage while volunteering for Pet Connections partner volunteer sites as well as Pet Connections activities and programs.
Each Pet Connections certified volunteer canine will be issued an authorized leash sleeve indicating the organizations affiliation and all dogs are required to wear the leash sleeve while volunteering. Members will also receive discounts on grooming services at the BAD DOG Spa as well as discounted prices for BAD DOG Retail items.
"This is one of the most rewarding things
I have ever done."
I have ever done."
- MICHAEL KENNEY, PET CONNECTIONS VOLUNTEER
