Volunteer

A volunteer writes: “Thank you guys for letting me be apart of such an amazing organization. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to bring Velvet places that she can share herself with”. 

We are a volunteer-run organization. Our volunteers fall into two categories: those who run the organization and those who volunteer as handlers with their therapy dogs. Please let us know how you would like to volunteer by filling out the form below!

***NOTE: Sunshine Therapy Dogs is actively looking for volunteers, particularly in Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Witby and Oshawa.***

Sunshine Therapy Dogs Team Roles 

Dog Handler : Ownership of dog required (2 visits/month or 24 in a year) - see details below

Poster/Flyer Distributor: (2-4 hours/month)

• Putting up Sunshine Therapy Posters in neighborhoods, parks, and other dog-friendly places.

• Assist in distributing other marketing materials, flyers business cards to appropriate local venues.

Sunshine Booster (Ownership of dog not required). *on pause at this time

• Our charity is hoping to expand our volunteer database of dog handlers. To do so, we need volunteers to help us gain exposure at community events such as festivals, fairs, and exhibitions. Tasks would include, running a Sunshine Therapy Dogs table at these events and handing out flyers to prospective volunteers.

How to Become a Sunshine Therapy Dog

Step 1: Volunteer Candidate Form & Dog Handler Interview (over the phone)

• Send us an email - below, and we will send you an information form to complete.

• Phone interviews are conducted to outline the expectations and responsibilities required of potential dog handlers and to screen applicants for suitability. 

Step 2: Group Assessment Session 

• Successful applicants are invited to a group assessment session run by a professional dog tester/trainer (Maggie Burtt). The goal of these assessments is to determine wether your dog would be comfortable being in the environments where we work. Our volunteer’s dog’s welfare is of the upmost importance to us. The evaluation will include the following testing: 

o Test the dog’s response to their handler: can the owner demonstrate basic control over their dog and does the dog respond to their owner? 

o Test the handler’s ability to maintain control of their dog while walking with a loose leash around the space and greeting other participants.

o Test the dog’s reaction to various group scenarios. This will include simulating various contexts and sounds. 

o Test how the dog reacts around other dogs and people. How does the dog react when handled by someone else without their owner?

Step 3: Vulnerable Sector Screening Check

• Forms and information are provided at the assessment.

• Handlers are expected to provide a police criminal background check. If a volunteer chooses to visit senior’s facilities a TB inoculation record is needed. Dogs are required to be up-to-date on vaccinations.

Becoming a Sunshine Therapy Dogs volunteer is an involved but rewarding process. Once you become a member of our team, we ask for a minimum of two visits (approximately 60 minutes plus travel time) per month. You will choose the visits that make sense for your schedule and interests.