About the role
Volunteer role
Therapy Dog Volunteer
Where can I volunteer?
St Mary's Hospital (Paddington), Hammersmith Hospital (East Acton), Charing Cross Hospital (Hammersmith)
Which days can I volunteer?
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
What time can I volunteer?
There are a variety of shifts
Is there anything else I need to know?
You must have a registered Therapy Dog accredited through Pets as Therapy, Mayhew, or an alternate legitimate accreditor. Please be ready to start volunteering around 3 weeks from when you apply. Additionally, we ask that you complete a minimum of one shift every two weeks for six months. For this volunteer role, you must be at least 18 years old.
What will I be doing?
As a Therapy Dog Volunteer, you’ll help to provide valuable support for patients with activities and companionship, which will have a positive impact on their wellbeing and experience while in the hospital receiving treatment. You and your therapy dog will also support the wellbeing of busy NHS staff.
Some of the main activities of the role include:
- Deliver therapy dog visits to patients
- Engage with the people you meet in the hospital using your own dog
- Follow infection, prevention and control (IPC) guidelines for the area you are volunteering in
- Talk to patients and discuss current affairs
- Provide feedback to the hospital staff after each visit
- Be responsible for ensuring animal welfare during the therapy dog visits
- Work collaboratively with nursing and therapies colleagues during your shift
- Deliver therapy dog interactions at the bedside of critically unwell patients
What skills will I need?
We’re looking for volunteers who are friendly, caring and passionate about supporting patients and staff at our hospitals. You’ll also find the following skills and qualities are particularly useful in this role:
- A friendly, positive and approachable manner
- Knowledge of the hospital layout or an interest to learn
- Ability to be empathetic, patient and calm in difficult situations if they arise
- Working well within a diverse team
- Ability to follow instructions and be flexible
- Acting on your own initiative within set boundaries
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to volunteer on your feet for several hours at a time
What support will I get?
This fun and fulfilling volunteer role will give you the opportunity to make a positive impact on our patients during their time in hospital as well as developing your own skills.
At every step we’ll provide lots of support to help you in your volunteer role. You’ll have a member of hospital staff as your main contact as well as extra support from the volunteering team at your hospital. We’ll give you the chance to take part in additional training to further develop your skills and we’ll say thank you for all your fantastic efforts through our volunteering awards and regular newsletter. We’ll also reimburse you for your travel and food and drink costs during your volunteer shift.
How to apply
Before you can start volunteering with us, there are a few important steps.
Take a look at the graphic below to see each stage of your volunteering journey.
One more thing to remember. You’ll need to complete a DBS check to volunteer with us. Click the button below to find all the information you need.
Support with your DBS checkWhen you’re ready to apply, click the ‘Apply Now’ button below to get started.
Apply now (Charing Cross Hospital) apply now (St Mary's Hospital) Apply Now (Hammersmith Hospital)
