spcaLA: Friends for Life

Volunteer Services » Animal-Assisted Therapy

Things to know before you apply

Questions to ask yourself before you apply

• Is my companion animal able to handle a variety of environments and travel well in vehicles?
• Does my companion animal possess good social skills with all types of people and other animals?
• Can I volunteer consistently for at least one year and take my dog/cat to visitations on a regular basis?
• Are there personal or professional obligations that would interfere with my volunteer responsibilities?
• Am I willing to be responsible for reporting my hours on a monthly basis?
• Am I comfortable interacting with others in various types of facilities?
• Am I willing/able to ensure that my cat/dog is healthy and groomed before each visitation?
• Do I accept the philosophy of spcaLA regarding its animal receiving, adoption, spay/neuter, declawing, and euthanasia policies?

Steps to becoming an AAT Volunteer

1. Complete and submit an application.
2. Receive an invitation to our New Volunteer Orientation.
3. Complete the AAT volunteer application.
4. Approved applicants and their pets will be invited to sign up for spcaLA’s AAT evaluation.
5. Receive clearance from background check/fingerprinting through the Department of Justice within two weeks of passing the evaluation.
6. New volunteers must complete and return spcaLA’s Certificate of Health within two weeks of passing the evaluation.
7. New volunteers must choose a facility within two weeks of passing the evaluation.
8. Determine your schedule with the Volunteer Coordinator.
9. Begin volunteering regularly!

Requirements for AAT Volunteers

AAT volunteers must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a friendly demeanor
• Report hours on a monthly basis
• Be reliable and show up each time they are scheduled to visit
• Act in an appropriate and professional manner at all times
• Have the ability to communicate well with others
  in various types of facilities
• Be aware of their companion animal's health and comfort at all times
• Be aware of the needs of the patient they are visiting;
  some may need you to speak loudly
• Maintain a neat and presentable appearance during visitations; volunteers must wear rubber-soled shoes and comfortable clothing that does not expose their back or midriff
• Refer all questions regarding society policies
  to the spcaLA Volunteer Coordinator

Requirements for AAT dogs

Companion animal candidates for Animal-Assisted Therapy must:

• Be part of your family for at least six months before
  applying to this program
• Be in good health (a health certificate is required only if your pet is accepted into the AAT Program)
• Have an even disposition and a calm, tolerant temperament
• Be able to handle a variety of environments and travel well in vehicles
• Know basic obedience commands: sit, stay, down, heel, come and have good physical self-control; Canine Good Citizen Certificate is REQUIRED.
• Possess good social skills with all types of people and other animals
• Enjoy meeting new people and being handled by strangers
• Be well groomed and flea-free
• Be at least 18 months old

Companion animal candidates for Animal-Assisted Therapy must NOT:

• Have any current injuries, aches or pains
• Act aggressively towards humans or avoid human touch
• Act aggressively towards animals
• Bark or growl excessively
• Fight with other dogs
• Dislike loud noises
• Chase cats/rabbits
• Jump on furniture
• Jump on people
• Beg for food
• Get car sick
• Bite people
• Have fleas

Requirements for AAT cats

Companion animal candidates for Animal-Assisted Therapy must:

• Be part of your family for at least six months before
  applying to this program
• Be in good health (a health certificate is required only if your pet is accepted into the AAT Program)
• Have an even disposition and a calm, tolerant temperament
• Be able to handle a variety of environments and travel well in vehicles
• Possess good social skills with all types of people and other animals
• Enjoy meeting new people and being handled by strangers
• Be well groomed and flea-free
• Be at least 18 months old

Companion animal candidates for Animal-Assisted Therapy must NOT:

• Have any current injuries, aches or pains
• Act aggressively towards people
• Act aggressively towards animals
• Scratch people or furniture
• Chase birds/rodents
• Jump on furniture
• Dislike loud noises
• Dislike dogs
• Bite people
• Beg for food
• Get car sick
• Have fleas
• Spray
• Hiss

AAT volunteer commitment

Visits are made by AAT volunteers and their companion animals on a weekly or monthly basis. The human-animal team spends approximately one hour at each visit. AAT volunteers commit to volunteering for at least one year.

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If you have read and understood the requirements it takes to become an spcaLA volunteer, please click on the button below.

Apply