Volunteering for Pets on Wheels
Volunteering for Pets on Wheels can be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. Our volunteers and their pets make an important difference in people’s lives.
Just as we value diversity in our therapy pets, we welcome all perspectives and experiences in our volunteers. A diversity of national origins, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, ability, and beliefs makes Pets on Wheels a better organization.
It starts by filling out our volunteer application – we just require a time commitment of one hour each month to be an active volunteer.
If you’re not sure if your pet is a good therapy candidate, ask yourself:
- Is your pet friendly with other pets?
- Is your pet at least one year old?
- Have you had your pet for at least 6 months?
If you have a pet other than a cat or dog, consult with your local coordinator about age requirements.
If the answers are YES, please apply to join us!
While most people choose to become part of our volunteer therapy teams with their pet, many others who don’t have an animal companion still volunteer their time and talents. If you don’t currently have a pet suitable for therapy work, we invite you to join us as one of our Volunteers Without Pets. Our VWPs serve as organizational supporters and ambassadors, helping with events, administration, fundraising, screenings and more and are equally important to our organization. Contact info@petsonwheels.org to become a VWP.
A note about minors: Our insurance regulations do not allow anyone under age 18 to be the primary handler for our therapy teams. Individual facilities and events may welcome minors to visit along with an adult handler, however. If you want a younger family member to become involved, you will need to clear that with your chosen facility and fill out a Minor Release Form and send it to your local coordinator first.
Volunteer Forms
Once you have applied, here are the next steps:
Log in to the volunteer portal and enter your pet’s information under NEW PET.
Step 1:
Submit your pet’s health certificate:
After you have added your pet’s info, you will need to submit a Health Certificate, which can be found here, to certify that your pet is up to date on all required vaccinations, and is healthy. Please note that for new applicants, the fecal test must have been pulled within the last 8 weeks.
Step 2:
Step 3:
Submit your pet’s health certificate:
After you have added your pet’s info, you will need to submit a Health Certificate, which can be found here, to certify that your pet is up to date on all required vaccinations, and is healthy. Please note that for new applicants, the fecal test must have been pulled within the last 8 weeks.
Background Check:
We check all applicants through the state sexual offender registry and through the state court case search database. If there are any concerns we immediately inform the applicant.
Temperament Screening:
Once your application and health certificate are received, you will be invited to attend a temperament screening. The screening is designed to ensure that your pet is appropriate for this type of volunteer work.
At the screening, your pet will be assessed for suitability as a therapy pet and we will evaluate each handler’s skill as part of the team. While good manners matter, we do not require specific training for your pet. We will be testing for reactivity, acceptance of touch, concern for noises, avoidance of dropped items and more. Many of our canine volunteers find that training at least through basic obedience or a CGC title is useful.
You will be invited to attend a screening in your region. However, if that is not convenient, you may attend any of our scheduled screenings. We hold screenings at least once a month around the state, and your local coordinator can help you find one that fits your needs. Screenings are by appointment only. The current fee for new applicants is $60 per team; fees for credit card processing apply.
Everyone who will be handling your pet must attend the screening. Additional applicants who will also be visiting with your pet must also fill out a volunteer application. There is an additional $15 processing fee for each additional handler.
You may register more than one pet to be part of your team. The intake processing fee is $15 for each additional pet, and all health certificates must be provided and up to date. Please note, however, that during visits there is a strict one animal per volunteer rule, although our therapy pets may bring more than one human with them to visit.
If for some reason your pet does NOT pass our screening, you may try again. Often you may simply need to take some classes to brush up on manners, or allow your pet a bit more time to mature. Our screeners will help advise you on what areas of behavior may need a bit more work before you return.
Your pet will need to be re-screened every two years. There is currently a $30 processing fee for this re-screening.
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