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Volunteer Handler Guidelines
Volunteers will visit only with animals registered with the Canines for Christ program. Volunteers must be a member of Canines for Christ of Southwest Ohio. As a member in good standing (annual membership dues of $50 paid in full and dog certified as a Canine Good Citizen), you and your pet are covered by a liability insurance policy while volunteering.
Handlers must be at least 16 years of age to make visits alone. If the handler is younger than 16, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during visits.
Volunteers will abide by all policies, procedures and precautions of each facility visited.
Volunteers must be professional and cooperative with staff and patients/residents.
Volunteers will check in/sign in with the staff or supervisor prior to each visit.
Volunteers will check out/sign out with the staff or supervisor after each visit.
Volunteers will follow all rules of privacy and confidentiality.
Volunteers will be on time for every commitment made.
Volunteers will be dressed business casual, adhering to the dress code of the facility they are visiting. Closed toe shoes are required year round.
Volunteers will not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while visiting.
Volunteers will not borrow money or personal items or receive compensation or gratuity from those being visited.
Volunteers will not charge a fee for therapy pet services.
In case of an accident or unusual occurrence the volunteer will, if on a visit, stop the visit, cooperate with supervisor or representative of the facility and contact a Canines for Christ board member within 24 hours of the visit. An incident form may be required to be filled out as well.
Incident reporting: please contact any board member as listed on our web site within 24 hours of any incident. Board members will investigate and speak to involved parties. Any member who is reported as not following the rules, policies or guidelines will be subject to removal from Canines for Christ.
Therapy Dog Guidelines
Volunteers will be responsible at all times for the therapy pet, always considering his needs and humane care.
Volunteers will always stay with the animal and be in control of the situation. Therapy pets will not jump up and will remain under the handler’s control even when surprised by loud noises.
All therapy pets will be on a lead at all times and will always wear either a leash or harness. Retractable leashes are not permitted on visits. Please use a regular leash.
In some circumstances a facility may approve a therapy pet to be off-lead; this may occur with the understanding that the facility is assuming liability for off-lead work. Permission should be obtained by the visiting volunteer.
Toys, balls, chew sticks, bones, treats and other items that could be disruptive are not permitted. Rough play with your dog is also not acceptable. Any of these things can be a liability risk.
Therapy pets will be clean and well groomed before each visit.
Volunteer will keep the pet’s vaccinations, including rabies, up to date. Volunteers will make a copy of the pet’s vaccination record available to facilities upon request.
Volunteers will be sure to relieve itself before going into the facility. Depending on the length of your stay they may need an additional bathroom break. Be sure to pick up and remove any solid waste.
Volunteers are asked to pay attention to your dog to be sure they are not getting tired or stressed. 45 minutes to an hour is a good length of time to target for a stay.
Facilities Guidelines
Volunteer will follow all rules of privacy and confidentiality of the facility they are visiting.
If a visiting animal has an accident it will be cleaned and disinfected by the volunteer using the facility’s preferred disinfectant.
Visiting teams are asked to wear identification for Canines for Christ both human and dog. Please visit our vendor for options of vests, scarves and id badges. https://www.raspberryfield.com
Volunteers will not tie the therapy pet to people, equipment or furniture while visiting.
Volunteers are not permitted to ask residents at nursing homes or patients in hospital/ hospice about their illness or reason they are at the facility. Their information is protected under HIPPA laws.
Photos - please be aware all facilities have their own guidelines and rules regarding privacy and photo taking and sharing. Canines for Christ appreciates the hard work teams do and asks everyone to please follow these guidelines: ask permission before taking any photos, only take pictures of the dog, try not to take pictures of people’s faces, when sharing photos be sure no identifying features of residents or students are shared. Animals should be the main subject of the photo. Some facilities may take photos of you and your dog as well and share on their own social media or advertising. If you are not comfortable, please advise at the time the photo is taken. When in doubt ASK! Ask permission, ask for the rules and guidelines and do not share if not allowed.
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