Caring Canines is an animal-assisted activities program launched in September 2011 at Mayo Clinic's campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. Registered therapy dogs and their handlers visit hospital and clinic waiting areas for “meet and greets,” providing comfort and companionship to patients, visitors and staff.
Eligibility
Only dogs registered and in good standing with one of the following organizations are eligible to volunteer at Mayo Clinic:
- Pet Partners.
- Therapy Dogs International (TDI).
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).
Handlers and their dogs must meet the following criteria to participate in the program:
- Handler age: Handlers must be at least 21 years old.
- Fingerprint Clearance Card: Handlers must hold a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
- Volunteer experience: A dog-handler team must have a minimum of six months of prior volunteer experience in a healthcare setting.
- Occupational health screening: If selected, handlers must complete a Mayo Clinic-covered occupational health visit to confirm a negative tuberculosis test and vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and chickenpox (varicella).
- Dog health requirements: Dogs must have record of a recent fecal exam showing no parasite ova. They also must be current on the following vaccinations:
- Rabies.
- Bordetella (kennel cough).
- Distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus.
Application process
To apply for the Caring Canines program:
- Submit an online application:
- Under Program, click on Hospital/Clinic Volunteer
- Under Region, click on Arizona Volunteer Services
- Under Skills and Interests select Pet Therapy in the Service Area Preferences section.
- Complete a pre-interview evaluation: After your application and required documentation are received, Mayo Clinic Volunteer Services conducts an initial evaluation of your qualifications and materials. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward.
- Interview: Qualified candidates and their certified therapy dogs will be invited to a joint interview to assess suitability for the hospital environment.
Required documentation
All of the following must be submitted before your application can be considered for evaluation:
- Certification from one of the approved dog therapy organizations listed above.
- Current health records for your dog (see list of requirements above).
- A copy of your Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Once your materials are reviewed and accepted, you’ll receive further details, including an animal health record form for your dog's veterinarian to complete.
Contact
For more information, please contact Mayo Clinic Volunteer Services.
