Caring Canines Visiting Therapy Dogs, Inc.

How to Volunteer



November 2007 Notice

We very much appreciate your interest in becoming a volunteer with Caring Canines.  We regret that due to the overwhelming response to our program, the length of our current waiting list precludes accepting additional applications at this time.
 
We encourage you to explore the Links page on our web site. There may be options for you in its listing of other Massachusetts pet therapy programs or its links to all of the national registries.  We wish you the very best in your pet therapy endeavor.


Interested in becoming a Caring Canines volunteer?  Here are the basic qualifications needed:

Your dog must:

            -  be at least a year old
            -  be healthy, parasite-free and up to date on all shots
            -  have basic obedience skills (sit,* down/stay, come)
            -  be friendly, gentle and have good visiting manners
            -  be able to retain his/her steadiness and good manners
               around wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and the noises
               and smells of a hospital or nursing facility environment
            -  be willing and able to tolerate clumsy, exuberant petting
            -  be able to work well around other dogs
            -  be spayed or neutered

Greyhounds are not required to sit.

Obedience skills are NOT required for small dogs that will be
       held for visiting.

Handlers must be 18 years or older.

Handlers are requested to commit to participate in a minimum of ten vists per year.

        We recommend reading the article, "Therapy Dog Work: Is This The Job for Your Dog?" to help determine whether your dog is likely to enjoy being a therapy dog.

Additional information about volunteering with our program may be found in our Frequently Asked Questions section.

NOTE: Caring Canines Visiting Therapy Dogs, Inc. is located in Massachusetts in the greater Boston area. We have no chapters or affiliations in any part of the country.