VOLUNTEERING WITH YOUR DOG AS A THERAPY DOG TEAM
The safety of our visitors and volunteer teams is of utmost importance to Ottawa Therapy Dogs. To mitigate risk, we have a comprehensive recruitment process for prospective volunteers to ensure our visits are safe and effective.
If you feel that you and your dog may be interested in becoming a volunteer visiting therapy dog team with Ottawa Therapy Dogs, please follow these steps thoroughly to gain a complete understanding of the requirements and process to qualify for this incredible and unique volunteer opportunity.
Please note: OTD is not an accreditation organization. Our registered teams only engage in canine-assisted therapy activities organized with our partner facilities.
Step 1
Step 2
Complete the OTD Self-Assessment. (We will receive a notification when you have completed this)
Step 3
Watch this video to understand how dogs give consent to petting.
Step 4
Step 5
Watch this video to see a demonstration of all the test requirements of the Evaluation that you and your dog must pass.
Step 6
Please ensure that you have completed Steps 1-6 before proceeding!
Email us at: info@ottawatherapydogs.ca to receive the link to our application form and to ask any questions you may have.
Step 7
After reviewing your application, if you and your dog meet the requirements to proceed, we will contact you to arrange an in-person interview.
We like to meet you and your dog to discuss the training and time commitments, answer all your questions about the process, and help you determine whether this is a kind of volunteering that you will both enjoy before you invest in additional training, being evaluated, registered and insured. Please recognize that if your animal doesn’t love this idea as much as you do, you wouldn’t find it to be rewarding. The interview is required before you may register for an Evaluation. It will take 30-45 minutes and is by appointment only.
Step 8
If the interview shows that you and your dog are potential candidates to become a therapy dog team, you will be invited to register for an Evaluation.
Step 9
After a successful Evaluation, you will attend an Orientation to learn about and prepare to begin visiting our partner facilities!
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You will also begin your Mentoring Phase during which you will shadow experienced teams and also have a Mentor join you for your first 2 visits to one of our partner facilities. Your mentor and our staff will be a source of ongoing support to you as you begin your journey with Ottawa Therapy Dogs as a therapy dog team!
Step 10
Enjoy every moment of bringing smiles to people in your community by volunteering with your dog!
