Puppy Love Pet Therapy Volunteer
Because Sometimes Connection Comes on Four Paws
A meaningful and flexible volunteer opportunity!
Make a difference in your community by supporting an older adult through the unique power of animal-assisted therapy. In this role, Acclaim Health volunteers’ partner with a certified therapy dog handler and their therapy dog to visit socially isolated older adults in their homes.
Working together as a team, the therapy dog handler leads all therapy dog interaction and ensures safety, while the volunteer focuses on the client – supporting conversation, comfort, and overall experience. The heart of each visit is the client’s connection with the therapy dog, and volunteers play an important role in enhancing and supporting that interaction.
Visits occur twice per month and offer a rewarding opportunity to build meaningful connections while being part of a unique, collaborative care approach.
In collaboration with
Skills and Experience
- Friendly, compassionate, and patient
- Comfortable engaging with older adults in a variety of situations
- Strong communication and active listening skills
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality
- Attentive to safety, boundaries, and client comfort
- Comfortable around dogs (no allergies)
- Reliable and able to commit to scheduled visits
Commitment
Orientation
Complete the required onboarding and orientation to prepare for your role.
Ongoing Commitment
- Initial client match: 12 weeks
- Visits: 2 times per month, approximately 30 – 60 minutes (depending on client and dog interaction)
- Volunteers are encouraged to continue beyond the initial placement
- Opportunity to remain with the same client or be re-matched as the program grows
Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Clean police record check with vulnerable sector screening
- Two references
Should you require accommodation during the application process, please inform Kanza Shahid at 905-827-8800 x2305, so we can ensure your equal participation.