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Volunteers

Pet therapy at Salem Health

 

For more than 20 years, pet therapy animals, along with their handlers, have left their paw prints on hearts across our organization. The immense impact of pet therapy cannot be described, but it can be felt when a pediatric patient smiles while petting the cat on their lap or when a patient says how happy they are to see a dog in their hospital room because they miss their dog at home.

At Salem Health, certified volunteer pet therapy teams bring comfort to patients and staff in our hospitals and clinics. Serving as a pet therapy volunteer is a rewarding experience for you and your pet.

 

Pet therapy handler with his dog.
Health benefits

Pet therapy, or animal-assisted therapy (AAT), is a well-studied therapeutic interaction between people and pets. Interacting with animals can have health benefits like lowering anxiety, lowering blood pressure or reducing physical pain. Not only do these moments offer an escape for sick patients, they also help our hardworking health care professionals.

Being on a pet therapy team

 

Therapy dog making a hospital visit.

Hospital visits

Junior lifts a nurses spirits

Clinic visits

Therapy dog at a Salem Health event

Hospital events

 

 

Pet therapy qualifications

 

• Pet is a least one year old.

• Handler has lived with their pet for at least six months.

• Handler must be at least 16 years old.

• Handler must pass a background check (18+).

• Proof of dog license. 

• Proof of pet immunization history, including rabies, kennel cough and distemper. 

• Proof of pet therapy certification (if previously certified). 

* If not certified as a pet therapy team, then please provide a copy of Canine Good Citizen Certificate. (See section below to learn more.)




Pet therapy dog on the job
Commitment

We ask serious pet therapy candidates to commit to the following:

  • Serve a minimum of six hours a month
  • Serve a minimum of one year
  • Bathe dog each time before serving
  • Provide proof of needed immunizations each year


Pet therapy training for dogs: What do I need to start?

First, dogs must be Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certified before onboarding (see website to learn where to obtain) OR previously certified through an American Kennel Club accredited pet therapy program. After receiving a CGC, then pet therapy certification is required.

Salem Health has partnered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs trainer/observers to construct a training program for dog owners who have obtained Canine Good Citizen (CGC), but who still need a pet therapy certification or renewal.

 

Step one

Apply and interview

Watch our five-minute info session and apply. Click here.

Within 72 hours of applying, we will call you to set up your interview.

 

Step two

Onboarding

After your interview, we'll give you instructions to receive your TB test, and we'll send you computer training to complete.

Step three

Training

We'll work with you to set up your training schedule. This is when you and your dog will work actively towards your Pet Therapy Certificate, usually consisting of a few training dates here on the Salem Hospital campus. Once you receive your Pet Therapy Certificate, you will start serving regularly!


We currently accept pet therapy dogs and cats. If you have any questions
about our process, please call 503-814-1795.

 

One volunteer shares her story

Michele Mason used to be terrified of hospitals. She said before her cancer diagnosis, even walking through the doors of one made her physically ill.

“I ended up spending a great deal of time in hospitals during my journey to fight cancer,” Michele said.

Michele was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. In the following four years, she received radiation therapy and seven surgeries at Salem Hospital. She started volunteering in 2023, a year after her final surgery.

“When I survived and was on the other side, I knew it was for a purpose, and I was moved to give back somehow,” Michele said. “To my surprise, I was drawn [to Salem Health] to volunteer to show my appreciation and to feel like I’m doing something positive for the patients.”

 

Read article here
Pet visits make everyone smile