With the right qualifications, your dog could also bring comfort to patients.
Photographed in 2018, Marler and then 3-year-old golden retriever Micah provide a cheery greeting at the guest services desk at a Baylor Scott & White facility in Waxahachie. Micah, who passed away in June 2023, worked for Baylor from the time he was 7 weeks old to the day before he passed away.
Surprisingly, though, most of the dogs are pets, not service animals. You don’t have to be a certified trainer, and your dog doesn’t need to know fancy tricks. Rather, key qualifications for the dogs include confidence, calmness, friendliness, basic obedience skills and willing owners.Linda Marler, who has led the program for the past 35 years, says that currently, 67 dogs and 65 handlers take part in the program.
After a dog passes the temperament test, the handler goes through the health system’s typical volunteer process. Approved handler and dog teams must be available to volunteer at least once every 90 days. Most volunteering opportunities occur on weekdays during daytime hours, but there are a handful of coveted spots on evenings and weekends. Volunteers range in their frequency of visits; some come every week and others once a quarter.
In addition to the positive impact on patients, the program offers benefits to volunteers. “It does strengthen the bond between you and your dog,” Marler says.In operation since 1999, the volunteer pet therapy program at Children’s Health serves the Dallas and Plano campuses. Pets must be certified through one of two programs: Paws Across Texas or Pet Partners. childrens.
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