Volunteering Synopsis

Sheltie and Sunflowers pet therapy teams enjoy visiting facility and home residents. The animal-human bond extends a great deal of pleasure and happiness to the clients we serve. If you love dogs and socializing with people, we would love to have you and your pet join our group. If you don’t have a dog, you can work with one of our shelties. All pet teams must get certification and commit to one monthly visit at our participating facilities.

Handler Volunteer Requirements

  • The Handler must be 18 year of age or older.
  • The Handler must maintain current driver’s license and insurance policies on file with us.
  • The Handler must accept full responsibility for their dog’s action and be in complete control of the dog at all times during visitation.
  • The Handler must complete all application paperwork.
  • The Handler must be willing to attend a minimum of one visit per month.
  • The Handler must attend a mandatory orientation.
  • The Handler must pass the pet/handler evaluation and become a certified handler.
  • Shelties and Sunflowers provides secondary liability insurance coverage to certified volunteers
  • Each Handler’s personal insurance policies (homeowner’s and automobile) is their primary coverage.
  • The Handler must pass the online petpartners.org certification test.
  • In order to receive an ID badge and no longer be considered probationary, the Handler must make 3 visits to any facility.
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PET Volunteer Requirements

    • Pets must be housebroken.
    • Pets must be 1+ year old. Remember a pet volunteer is working on visits and expected to perform its duties 30 minutes to one hour a visit. Stimulation such as strange noises, equipment, smells, and people can create stress for the pet.
    • Pets must be healthy. They are required to have annual check-ups with the vet for vaccinations of rabies, distemper, parvo, and negative fecal exams.
    • Pets must be clean. They are required to be bathed, brushed, and nails clipped before visitation occurs.
    • Pets must be calm. Pets are expected to be gentle natured, sweet, affectionate, and friendly.
    • Pets must be able to socialize with other animals and with people.
    • Pets must be on a leash or harness during visitations.
    • Pets must be friendly, outgoing, and be enthusiastic to visit new residents.
    • Pets must be obedient and know basic commands such as sit, stay, and down.
    • Pets must tolerate getting petted on any part of the body (ears, tail, feet, etc.)
    • Pets must have to pass the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). The CGC test is authorized and administered through the AKC (American Kennel Club)

Application Documents

Supplies Lists

Handler supplies include

1. Comfortable shirt
2. Comfortable shorts
3. Closed-in shoes
4. ID badge (worn on all visits)

Pet supplies include:

1. Favorite Doggie Treats
2. Small bag or fanny pack for clean-up supplies in the event of an accident. Items may include zip-loc bag, paper towels, sanitizer/deodorizer. You are required to scoop your poop at all times.
3. Copy of current Rabies Vaccination Certificate.
4. Extra leash (short) for children who are interested in walking the dog with the Handler.
5. Water bowl
6. Towel for resident’s lap
7. Soft PET brush

NOTE: Therapy pets get no special privileges. They do not get to live in no-pet housing or go into restaurants or anywhere else a “regular” pet is not allowed. You can print this 2-page description of the 3 types of pet certifications that is posted at http://therapydoginfo.net/servicedogs.pdf.