Policies & Procedures

1. 1. I will abide by all Canines for Christ policies and procedures and will represent the program in a  professional manner. 

   2. I will visit only with animals registered with the Canines for Christ program 

   3. I will abide by all policies, procedures and precautions of each facility that I visit. 

   4. I will check in/sign in with the staff or supervisor prior to each visit. 

   5. I will check out/sign out with the staff or supervisor after each visit. 

   6. I will follow all rules of privacy and confidentiality. 

   7. I will be on time for every commitment made. 

   8. I will be responsible at all times for the therapy pet, always considering his needs and humane  care. 

   9. I 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 

   10. All therapy pets will be on lead at all times and will always wear either a leash or harness. Flexi  leashes are not permitted on visits. Please use a regular leash. 

       1. In rare circumstances a facility may approve a therapy pet to be off-lead; this may only occur with the written understanding that the facility is assuming liability for off-lead work. 

   11. Toys, balls, chew sticks, bones, 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. 

   12. Therapy pets will be bathed and groomed within 24 hours of each visit. If allergic persons are  expected to come in contact with the pet, the therapy pet will be wiped down with baby wipes  (or other appropriate wipe) immediately prior to entering the facility. 

   13. Therapy pets will be fed 2 hours or more prior to visiting a facility. 

   14. Allergy management: location of therapy pet activities will be chosen so that persons with  allergies will not be put at increased risk. Allergic persons will be advised to avoid the visit  location until 24 hours after the location has been cleaned. 

   15. I will keep my pet’s vaccinations, including rabies, up to date. I will make a copy of my pet’s  vaccination record available to facilities upon request. 

   16. Any accidents (bowel/bladder) will be cleaned and disinfected by the pet’s handler, using the  facility’s preferred disinfectant. 

   17. I will be well groomed and dressed professionally, adhering to the dress code of the facility I  am visiting. 

   18. I will clean up after the animal inside and outside the facility. 

   19. I understand that as a handler I am required to wear an identification badge and that my  therapy pet must wear identification as well. 

   20. I will not tie my therapy pet to people, equipment or furniture while visiting. 

   21. I will not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while visiting.

   22. I will not borrow money or personal items or receive compensation or gratuity from those I  visit.

   23. I will not charge a fee for therapy pet services. 

   24. In case of an accident or unusual occurrence I will, if on a visit, stop visit, cooperate with supervisor or representative of the facility, contact a Canines for Christ board member and  complete a Canines for Christ Incident Form. 

   25. I will not take photographs of people I visit without first obtaining a photo release waiver  signed by the client and the facility contact. Photo release waivers are provided by the facility.

Policies and Procedures 2019 

April 2019