Do you have a friendly dog? Pet friendly visitor to visit hoice patients- Wichita & surrounding Area

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PET VISITOR VOLUNTEER & PETCARE OVERVIEW

Pet visitor volunteers assist with providing comfort and emotional support to patients and their families through therapeutic pet visits. There are two components to a pet visitor volunteer: the handler and the pet. It is most common that dogs are pet visitor volunteers; however, other pets (e.g., cats, miniature horses) may be considered pet volunteers as well. Animal-assisted interactions (which includes animal assisted activities or therapy) provide opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life for patients and families. Animal-assisted interactions are delivered by specifically trained professionals, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers in association with animals that meet specific criteria. These trained handlers have successfully completed an evaluation and training course that meets the requirements of an appropriate accrediting agency. Approved accrediting agencies include, Pet Partners, Project Canine, Therapy Dog’s International, or Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Other credentialing agencies are reviewed to ensure adherence to industry standards and approved by the volunteer coordinator. Documentation of credentialing is be kept in the handler’s personnel file in accordance with policy. Completion of a good citizen obedience program is not sufficient for pet utilization. By the end of this session, participants: * Assist with and maintain comfort and emotional support to patients and families through pet visits. * Assist the hospice team in identifying the needs of the patient and family. * Recognize one’s own limitations and call upon other members of the hospice team to help meet the needs of the family and patient as well as calling upon the volunteer coordinator, chaplain, medical social worker, etc. to meet one’s own needs for support in this work. *


PET VISITOR VOLUNTEER & PETCARE ELEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PET HANDLER * Be of good character. There is a background check by either the sponsoring organization or the facility(s) that the team will be visiting prior to any acceptance or visits * Be able to demonstrate that the handler and the dog are reliable, confident and natural in their interactions with people and animals * Be educated in risk management, professional boundaries, elder abuse and neglect, infection control procedures and HIPAA regulations * Be able to actively engage in interactions with people and accept and forgive differences in people’s reactions and behavior * The handler and their animal work together as a team and the handler always has control of their animal * Possesses the social skills, aptitude and knowledge required to visit a variety of people in different settings and various types of facilities * Knows how to best advocate for the therapy animal by recognizing their stress signals, and when the animal is getting tired and needs to take a break It is critical that handlers have an interest in people and enjoy visiting, even in noisy, crowded environments. The success of a pet volunteer program depends upon the ability of a handler and their animal to work together as a team, displaying a level of trust and understanding while working in unpredictable environments.

VOLUNTEER/HANDLER RESPONSIBILITIES * complies with accepted ethical conduct and professional standards * maintains ongoing communication with office staff * maintains confidentiality of patient/family information unless otherwise communicated by the professional involved with the patient/family * continues observation of pet, ensuring that there are no apparent health problems. * keeps pet immunizations up to date * ensures the good disposition of the pet through documented veterinarian visits * verifies renewal of recognized pet therapy certification program or providers Training essentials for the pet visitor volunteer include: * Volunteer and pet complete the required training, screening/certification program * Up to date immunization records of pet, this is updated annually * Completion of this training and orientation * Completion of in-services

The following breeds may not be utilized as pet visitor volunteers: * Chow * Doberman Pincer * Dalmatian * Rottweiler * Pit Bull * Other breeds known for aggressive behavior

The volunteer coordinator witnesses the pet team member in the agency to ensure appropriate behavior and accompany owner and pet to the first visit with a new patient to ensure a successful match. The volunteer coordinator provides oversight of the pet visitor volunteer program and meets with the professional or volunteer animal/handler team to screen, evaluate and interview to assure that the animal and handler know how to work well together as a team and are emotionally capable of handling the stresses of animal-assisted interactions.