How Do I Volunteer My Dog?

For many of us, giving back to our community is an important part of our life. But did you know that pets could be volunteers too?

Therapy animals are becoming more common and more active than ever before, and the demand for these special animals is growing by leaps and bounds. Volunteer pets have making the world a better place in senior centers, retirement homes, schools, and rehab centers for years, and their popularity is growing as their good works are proving to be effective.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I volunteer my dog?” then read on for an introduction to volunteering your pet.

Does My Pet Have the Right Temperament?

Before you invest the time and resources necessary to undergo the training it takes for your pet to become a therapy animal, you should first assess whether or not your pet is a good candidate to volunteer.

Here are some points to consider when making your decision:

• Is your dog friendly and accepting of strangers?
• Does your dog get along will with dogs of all sizes and breeds?
• Is your dog calm, able to sit on command, and stay for long periods of time?
• Is your dog comfortable around adults and children? Or prefer one to the other?
• Is your dog able to walk calmly through a crowd?
• Is your dog able to stay focused, even with distractions?
• Does your dog enjoy being groomed or pet by a stranger?
• Is your dog confident and carefree?
• Is your dog relaxed even with loud, disruptive noises?
• Does your dog have good manners, even when you’re not in the room?
• Is your dog comfortable in a new, or changing, environment?

Likewise, you should ask yourself if your dog is comfortable being in a room without you for an extended period of time, can keep its cool when there’s food around, and is comfortable with objects such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs moving around his or her space.

Getting Started

Once you’ve determined that your pet is a good candidate, you’ll need to explore training and certification. The American Kennel Club is an excellent resource for finding certified trainers and certification programs.

Training ranges a full gambit of general behavior and obedience training to more specialized programs and volunteer hours. Once you’ve found a training organization that is right for you, you can learn more about what is involved for that specific program.

Once your dog is certified, you’ll need to find an organization that facilitates therapy dog volunteerism. There are a number of organizations found throughout Michigan, depending on the type of work you and your pet want to volunteer. For more information, visit the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Volunteering with your pet can be a great opportunity to help folks throughout your community. Whether you’re helping veterans struggling with PTSD or students learning to read, your dog will be appreciated and your time well spent.