Becoming a Therapy Dog Volunteer involves several steps (stages):

1. Before your dog can begin visiting people, it needs to go through our Therapy Dog Certification Program, where it will be put through a series of 13 tests to determine if it has the right temperament and mannerisms to join the program
2. You will also need to apply to become a member of St. John Ambulance and participate in 10 mentored visits at facilities
3. Once complete, you’ll be able to start making visits on your own!
4. Initial visits usually take place at seniors' long term care facilities and retirement homes (visits are meant to offset feelings of 'isolation', loneliness, and are designed to promote HEALTH & WELLNESS)
5. After 40 hours of clearly successful volunteering with seniors, you and your dog may be invited to volunteer in the 'Paws 4 Stories Program', an outreach to children in local schools who are shy about reading, where they read to your dog who is an 'ideal audience' (polite, attentive, non-judgmental)
6. (In some instances, visits are made to local places of business, also for the purpose of stress relief)

As COVID-19 begins to ease, demand for Therapy Dogs is on the rise, again. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR DOG HAS THE QUALITIES that we're looking for, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION WITHOUT DELAY (by April 30, 2022). Volunteers with 'profiles' within Volunteer MBC's Referral System can click the yellow box 'Apply Now!' (above) to have your name/contact info/resume (if uploaded) sent to St. John Ambulance. Please monitor your email 'Junk/Spam' folders and leave space on your voicemail from communications from St. John Ambulance.

If you do not have a 'profile' with Volunteer MBC, you are invited to create one: https://volunteermbc.org/AdminEdit.php?ListType=ProfileADD

• Minimum Age - 18 (Minimum Age of your Dog - 1)
• You believe your dog to be well-mannered, with a temperment that is suitable for the role of 'Therapy Dog'
• You're prepared to submit your dog for our Therapy Dog Evaluation (if accepted as a suitable candidate, you will be required to become a member of St. John Ambulance)
• Solid English oral communication skills (fluency in other languages besides English is welcome)
• You are receptive, as is your dog, to mandatory TRAINING (and mentoring) for the program, plus you intend to abide by the Rules, Policies, and Procedures of St. John Ambulance
• Experience interacting with seniors and children is welcome, but not required
• You can keep to an agreed 'visiting' schedule and monthly/yearly hours requested (see TIME COMMITMENT, below)
• Police Vulnerable Sector Check required, as the program involves 'vulnerable; seniors (and young children)

SCREENING in the early stages of consideration of Applicants will be virtual/online (Tel/Email/Online interviewing), graduating to 'in person' meetings (with/without your dog), and you will be advised as to what to expect.

As part of SCREENING, there will be a Therapy Dog Evaluation, and if you dog is considered suitable for the program/'role', you (and your dog) will undergo TRAINING and MENTORSHIP, plus ongoing support.