Our Therapy Dog Teams are spreading smiles and PAWSitive feelings all over Renfrew County. Keep an eye out for their red vests and PLEASE, PET THEM! :)
The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program is a community based service offered by St. John Ambulance Volunteers. The program started in June 1992 as a pilot program in Peterborough, Ontario and today reaches thousands of people on a regular basis throughout Canada.
Much of the success of the program is directly attributed to the renowned reputation of St. John Ambulance as a charity. St. John Ambulance has been involved in community service for over 900 years, and has recently celebrated its 130th Anniversary in 2013.
The Therapy Dog program provides an opportunity for patients/residents to:
Talk with the volunteer and the dog
Feel, touch, pet, stroke and/or cuddle the dog
Receive unconditional love from the dog
Assist with walking the dog on a leash
Impact:
Through petting, affection, and regular visitation of a dog, patients/residents find peace in the gentle contact with the dog and in its quiet presence. Patients talk more to others, participate in activities, eat and sleep better, smile more. As a result their quality of life is improved.
Volunteer Benefits:
Community involvement and volunteer satisfaction
Awards and merits for both handlers and dogs
Rewarding Experiences
Being apart of a great team atmosphere
Tags: Non-Profit Organization
Address & Contact
- Street:
- 310 Mackay Street
- City:
- Pembroke
- State:
- ON
- Phone:
- 613-735-0772
- Website:
- http://www.sja.ca/English/Community-Services/Pages/Therapy%20Dog%20Services/default.aspx
- Category:
- Non-Profit Organization