Volunteering With Your Dog
The Volunteer Dog Program brings comfort, joy, and emotional support to patients and families across all hospital campuses. Both dogs and their dedicated handlers serve as hospital volunteers, offering compassionate visits. These interactions provide a calming presence, reduce stress and anxiety, and create a sense of normalcy for patients during what can be a challenging time.
In addition to cuddles and companionship, volunteer dog teams help brighten the hospital environment for staff, visitors, and patients alike, often becoming a highlight of the day. Handlers work closely with hospital staff to ensure each visit is safe, meaningful, and tailored to the needs of the individuals they serve.
Note: Our Volunteer Dog Program is different than our Canine Comfort Program where full-time facility dogs work alongside hospital staff.
What Does it Take to be a Dog Volunteer?
- To serve as a volunteer, you must be at least 21 years old, commit to at least one year of service and visit the hospital with your dog at least two times each month.
- Dogs ages 1 to 9 years will be considered for the Volunteer Dog Program.
What are the Evaluation Requirements?
- Reliable Basic Obedience
- Responds consistently to basic commands: sit, stay, down, come, without treats/food.
- Walks politely on a loose leash without pulling or lunging.
- Good Manners Around People and Other Dogs
- Doesn't jump on people, paw, or lick
- Is non-reactive and calm around other dogs, no barking, growling, or lunging.
- Friendly and Sociable Temperament
- Actively seeks out engagement with people (e.g., leans in for petting, wags tail, shows relaxed body language).
- Tolerates being touched on all parts of the body (ears, paws, tail, mouth).
- Does not show fear, avoidance, or aggression toward people.
- Calm Demeanor in Various Environments
- Doesn't jump on people, paw, or lick.
- Able to remain calm in crowded, noisy, or unfamiliar environments.
What are the steps to becoming a volunteer?
- Participating volunteer teams successfully complete a four-step application process which is critically important to ensure safe and enjoyable hospital visits for both our patients and our visiting dogs.
Join the Waitlist
- Add your name to our volunteer dog waitlist by providing your contact information. When a spot becomes available, we’ll contact you via email and invite you to complete an application.
Video interview
- If your application is accepted, our staff will schedule a video interview and will send you a health form for your dog's veterinarian to complete.
Temperament testing
- After completing the first two steps, select applicants will be invited to participate in a temperament evaluation. This in-depth, hands-on assessment, conducted by the program coordinator, is offered several times per year and as needed to fill openings in the volunteer program.
Volunteer training
- If your dog is accepted into the program, you will move on to the volunteer onboarding process. This involves completing online training, obtaining clearance from Employee Health Services, passing a criminal background check, and receiving your volunteer badge and polo shirt. Once onboarding is finished, you will take part in observation sessions with experienced handler teams, after which the program coordinator will observe you and your dog.
