How to Become a Pet Therapy Volunteer Team

How to Become a Pet Therapy Volunteer Team

HHS feels strongly that our pet therapies provide healing in many ways. Our methods are non-traditional, yet we have experienced first-hand the improvement in the lives of people, both young and old, when introducing our therapy animals into specific interactions. We’d love for you to join us in our volunteer work!

General Requirements for Humans

  • Are 18 years or older
  • Have lived with your pet for at least six months
  • Have a great partnership with your pet
  • Enjoy meeting strangers and making conversation with them
  • Must be available to log in at least 24 hours annually. That's an average of at least two visits per month and involves a combination of regular programming AND special events.
  • Are comfortable in a nursing home environment and interacting with people who may be confused, physically or mentally challenged, or terminally ill (Pet-a-Pet)
  • Are available weekdays during the day for visits (Pet – Pet)
  • Are comfortable with children and reading with them in a school or library setting (READ)
  • Are comfortable with children in a hospital setting (CARe)
  • Have homeowner’s or related insurance to cover an unexpected incident with your pet.
  • Have current Delta/Pet Partner Registration (READ or CARe)

General Requirements for Pets

  • Must be at least one year old
  • Obedient, socially friendly, and calm temperament
  • Tolerant of being touched, sometimes roughly, with no retaliation
  • Socialized with people of all ages
  • Able to handle unusual events, sights, and sounds
  • Current on all vaccinations with written proof from your veterinarian
  • Able to walk calmly on a tight leash without jumping on people if a large pet, or be carried around calmly in a basket if a small pet.
  • Pass a shelter-performed behavioral evaluation (Pet-a-Pet)
  • Have current Delta/Pet Partner Registration (READ or CARe)

Specific Steps for Pet a Pet (PAP)

  1. Contact Pet Therapy Coordinator at andrea.wendlandt@hinsdalehumanesociety.org or call Andrea Wendlandt at 630-323-5630 x38 to review program details.
  2. Schedule an appointment at the shelter for a behavior evaluation for your pet. In this approximately 15 minute evaluation, an HHS staff member determines if your pet has the right temperament and personality for the program. At this time, you must also provide the staff member conducting the evaluation or the Pet Therapy Coordinator with proof from your vet that your pet is current on its rabies vaccine.
  3. Receive results from Pet Therapy Coordinator on behavior evaluation
  4. Schedule an orientation session with the Pet Therapy Coordinator. This approximately 1-hour meeting provides background information on being a Hinsdale Humane Society volunteer and specific information about volunteering as a Pet Therapy Team
  5. Fill out the applications, waivers, and forms provided to you at this orientation session.
  6. Set up your first field visit with our volunteer PAP Scheduler. This visit is where you accompany a current volunteer/pet team on a PAP appointment. You do not bring your pet to this visit, only yourself. This gives you the chance to determine first hand if you enjoy the program.
  7. Provide feedback to the Scheduler and, assuming all parties agree, schedule the second field session where you and your pet make a visit accompanied by one of our experienced volunteers.  This will be a training session where the experienced volunteer will train you and observe you and your pet for suggestions or any signs of stress.
  8. Receive confirmation from the Pet Therapy Coordinator that training is complete and arrange to pick up HHS Pet Therapy Volunteer Team shirt, nametag, and other related supplies for participation in the program.

Specific Steps for READ

  1. Contact Pet Therapy Coordinator at andrea.wendlandt@hinsdalehumanesociety.org or call Andrea Wendlandt at 630-323-5630 x38 to review program details.
  2. Schedule an orientation session with the Pet Therapy Coordinator. This approximately 1-hour meeting provides background information on being a Hinsdale Humane Society volunteer and specific information about volunteering as a Pet Therapy Team
  3. Fill out the applications, waivers,  and forms provided to you at this orientation session.
  4. Provide current Delta/Pet Partner registration (copy of registration letter or badge)
  5. Download or order Read with Me™  Manual provided by Pet Partners and study materials prior to orientation.
  6. Complete Knowledge Assessment with Pet Partners and review with Pet Therapy Coordinator.
  7. Set up your first field visit with the Pet Therapy Coordinator.  During this visit you will observe a veteran volunteer/pet team on a READ Session.  You do not bring your pet to this session, only yourself. This gives you the chance to determine first hand if you enjoy the program.
  8. Provide feedback to the Pet Therapy Coordinator and, assuming all parties agree, schedule the second field visit where you and your pet participate in a READ session with children and you are observed by one of our experienced READ volunteers.  The veteran volunteer will cover any questions, concerns, or suggestions for improvement.
  9. Receive confirmation from the Pet Therapy Coordinator that training is complete and arrange to pick up HHS Pet Therapy Volunteer Team shirt, nametag, and other related supplies for participation in the program.

Specific Steps for CARe

  1. Contact Pet Therapy Coordinator at andrea.wendlandt@hinsdalehumanesociety.org or call Andrea Wendlandt at 630-323-5630 x38 to review program details.
  2. Schedule an orientation session with the Pet Therapy Coordinator. This approximately 1-hour meeting provides background information on being a Hinsdale Humane Society volunteer and specific information about volunteering as a Pet Therapy Team.
  3. Fill out the applications, waivers, and forms provided to you at this orientation session.
  4. Provide current Delta/Pet Partner registration (copy of registration letter or badge)
  5. Receive confidentiality documents and instructions on paperwork for a background check with Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.
  6. Receive confirmation of background authorization from Pet Therapy Coordinator.
  7. Schedule photo id session for you and your pet at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.

For work at Paulson Pediatric

  1. Await CARe request from therapist through Pet Therapy Coordinator for scheduling patient visits.
  2. Pick up HHS Pet Therapy Volunteer Team shirt, nametag, and other related supplies for participation in the program.

For in-patient visits at AMITA Health hospital campuses (Hinsdale, La Grange, or Bolingbrook) 

  1. Set up your first field visit with the Pet Therapy Coordinator. During this visit you will observe a veteran volunteer/pet team on a CARe inpatient visit. You do not bring your pet to this visit, only yourself. This gives you the chance to determine first hand if you enjoy the program.
  2. Provide feedback to the Pet Therapy Coordinator and, assuming all parties agree, schedule the second field visit where you and your pet make a visit to one of the designated units at the hospital and you are observed by one of our experienced CARe volunteers. The veteran volunteer will cover any questions, concerns, or suggestions for improvement.
  3. Receive confirmation from the Pet Therapy Coordinator that training is complete and pick up HHS Pet Therapy Volunteer Team shirt, nametag, and other related supplies for participation in the program.

Additional training is required to work with hospice patients through AMITA's St. Thomas Hospice after first becoming a CARe volunteer.