Pet Assisted Therapy

Home > Support Us > Give Your Time As A Volunteer > Volunteer Opportunities > Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) Volunteer Program

Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) Volunteer Program

Sharing the healing power of the human-animal bond

At Huntington Health, we believe that healing extends beyond medicine. Our Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) Program brings comfort, connection and moments of joy to patients, visitors and staff through visits from trained therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers. If you have a friendly dog and a heart for service, this unique volunteer opportunity may be the perfect fit.

About the Program

Our PAT volunteer teams make rounds throughout the hospital, offering companionship, easing stress and lifting spirits. These visits often become meaningful moments of connection during a patient’s stay. Volunteers are needed seven days a week, and even a small monthly commitment can make a big impact.

Is This Program the Right Fit?

Becoming a therapy dog team involves more than having a friendly pet, it calls for the right blend of temperament, training, and commitment from both the handler and the dog.

Our volunteers are caring individuals who enjoy sharing their dogs with others and are able to commit to regular visits. Therapy dogs must be well‑trained, calm, and naturally suited to offering comfort, encouragement, and emotional support in a healthcare environment.

Because therapy dog teams interact closely with patients, families, and staff, we uphold high standards for both the handler and the dog. While many dogs bring joy to those around them, not every dog will feel comfortable or confident in a hospital setting.

Therapy dog teams should be comfortable navigating a variety of conditions, including:

  • Loud or unexpected noises
  • Sudden movement from patients, staff, or equipment
  • Tight or crowded spaces
  • Slippery or unfamiliar flooring
  • New or strong scents
  • Unpredictable or uncoordinated physical interactions
  • Emotional or sensitive situations
  • Frequent interaction with unfamiliar individuals

A successful therapy dog team remains calm, confident, and responsive while providing a reassuring and supportive presence.

How to Get Started

Step One: Complete Pet Partners Certification (Required First)

All therapy dog teams must be registered with Pet Partners, an international nonprofit organization that evaluates therapy animals and their handlers using standardized criteria nationwide. With more than 10,000 registered teams, Pet Partners helps ensure safety, consistency, and quality across therapy programs.

Follow these steps to begin:

  • Complete Handler Training
    • Take Pet Partners’ online Handler Course or attend their in-person full day workshop to learn best practices for therapy animal visits.
  • Schedule Your Evaluation
    • Have you and your dog evaluated by a licensed Pet Partners evaluator. Dates and locations are listed on Pet Partners’ website under “Volunteering with your pet.”

Requirements for PAT Volunteers

To ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone, volunteer teams must meat the following criteria:

  • Dog must be at least 1 year old
  • Dog must have current required vaccinations
  • Proof of rabies and other required vaccinations
  • Fecal flotation test results
  • Successful completion of Pet Partners registration
  • Ongoing compliance with Pet Partners standards

Only fully registered and active Pet Partners teams are eligible to participate in Huntington Health’s PAT Program.

Step Two: Apply to the PAT Volunteer Program

After completing your Pet Partners certification, you’ll also need to apply to Huntington Health’s volunteer program and complete our onboarding process.

Steps to Become a Volunteer (Handler)

  • Submit your volunteer applications here.
  • Attend an information session

Complete Onboarding (2-3 weeks)

  • 2-step TB skin testing (provided by Huntington Health)
  • Background check (required for volunteers 18+)
  • Orientation training
  • Interview with a Volunteer Manager for placement and scheduling
  • Purchase of required volunteer uniform
  • Completion of hospital-specific Pet Assister therapy training.

Volunteer Commitment

  • Minimum of 8 hours of visitation per month
  • Consistent participation to support patient experience and program continuity

Why Volunteer with PAT

Volunteering with your dog is a deeply rewarding experience. Benefits include:

  • Making a meaningful difference in someone’s healing journey
  • Strengthening the bond with your dog
  • Joining a compassionate community of volunteers
  • Gaining experience in a healthcare environment
  • Enjoying flexible scheduling

Many of our Pet Assisted Therapy volunteers share that their visits quickly become the most meaningful part of their month. They often describe the simple joy of watching a patient relax, smile or connect in a new way the moment a therapy dog enters the room. These small interactions create moments of comfort that stay with both the patient and the volunteer long after the visit ends.