Becoming a Lend A Heart Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in pet therapy with Lend A Heart. Currently, Lend A Heart has a waiting list of facilities wanting our services so we are always seeking volunteers who live in the Sacramento, California area. If you enjoy working with people and have a pet who also loves people you might consider joining us.

Your pet needs to be highly trained and socialized and you need to have the time and desire to become part of a team that takes their work and their commitments seriously. A well-trained pet therapy team will find this work tremendously rewarding. Likewise, the patients in our facilities greatly benefit from our efforts.

Who is Suited for Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Because Lend A Heart certified therapy teams work in a variety of facilities and hospitals, it is necessary that both the pet and the handler be suited for this type of volunteer service work.

All pets must be friendly, outgoing and compatible with other animals, possess a sound temperament and must remain calm and well behaved with people. All dogs must have solid obedience training, work well on leash, follow verbal commands readily, be at least one (1) year of age and be spayed or neutered. Your dog must be able to perform the following commands consistently: sit, down, sit-stay, down-stay, and walk on a loose leash, all while in a distracting setting.

Handlers must be confident and secure with their pets, and should communicate well with people (elderly, physically and mentally challenged individuals).

If you think you and your pet have the skills and temperament to do this kind of work, take a look at the exercises that will be expected of you and your animal during your evaluation, complete our Volunteer Questionnaire and, for dog owners, our Obedience and Behavior Verification form.