Ways to Give
Pet Therapy Program - Volunteering
Based on information from research groups (and from our very own patients!), it is quite clear that visits from specially trained doggie friends can help with the healing process. These caring canines offer comfort and diversion at the bedside for adult and pediatric patients alike.
To apply to train as a Pet Therapy volunteer, you must first meet the requirements for becoming a St. Luke’s Volunteer.
Becoming a St. Luke’s volunteer requires:
- completion of the volunteer application
- attendance to the volunteer orientation course
- satisfying the health testing requirements
If you would like to become a part of the St. Luke’s family of volunteers, please call (208) 381-2265 or simply fill out an application and mail or return it to
St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, 190 E. Bannock St., Boise, ID 83712.
What is Pet Therapy?
All Canine Breeds Welcome
Whether the dog is a tiny Yorkie or a lovable Great Dane, our patients look forward to Pet Therapy visits.
Pet therapy "shares smiles and joy." Visits from these special dogs provide cheer, brighten a stressful day and help patients, visitors, and staff relax.
The program provides visits Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings, upon special request and at special events. After achieving 50 hours of regular visiting time, a team can train to visit at any of our Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) sites. During visitations dogs must be clean, neat, friendly, and ready to socialize. Handlers need to be personable, engage in conversation and monitor conditions of the visit.
What are the Requirements to be a Pet Therapy Volunteer?
St. Luke’s Pet Therapy Volunteer teams (dog/handler) must be a registered team with Therapy Dogs, Inc. (TDInc.) and be actively participating in pet therapy activities in the community, before applying. For more information about TDInc. please visit their website and review their guidelines regarding age and medical requirements: www.therapydogs.com
TDInc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization with more than ten thousand members across North America. They provide registration, support and liability insurance for members that are involved in canine assisted activities. There is an annual $25 TDInc. registration fee..
Becoming a St. Luke’s Pet Therapy volunteer requires:
- being an active, registered team with TDInc.
- handler must be at least 18 years old
- meeting the requirements for being a St. Luke’s volunteer, as listed above
- application and acceptance into the Pet Therapy training course, consisting of a weekly, two hour, training for approximately 6 weeks, held once a year in the fall
- Proof of current TDInc. and St. Luke’s required health/vaccination records for your dog, kept on file with St. Luke’s
Each team is required to visit the hospital at least once every three months and attend two canine socialization events annually.
The contacts listed below can help you with the TDInc. registration process and provide further information about, and guidance with, the steps to becoming a
St. Luke’s Pet Therapy volunteer. Please contact one of them before beginning the application process.
Pet Therapy Contacts
| René Kaiser-Riley | 884-8585 | Brad Giesen | 794-0662 | |
| June Disotell | 327-8933 | Casady Heney | 830-7782 | |
| Dale or Karalee Blau | 288-2287 | Jeff Stoppenhagen | 887-7939 |
