Hug-A-Pet Therapy

Ohlone Humane Society’s Hug-A-Pet is an animal assisted therapy program where volunteers and their companion animals visit hospitals, convalescent homes and retirement facilities on a monthly basis.

Animal assisted therapy gives patients and/or residents an opportunity to relate with loving companion animals. Studies have shown that visits of this nature have a positive effect on the emotional and physical health and rehabilitation of people.

The animals also enjoy the extra attention and socialization.

Hug-A-Pet Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Volunteers

• Program applicants meet with the program Director prior to participation.

  

• Ohlone Humane Society will conduct a temperament evaluation of your animal for a nominal fee. The potential animal therapist is evaluated for behavioral suitability and must be approved before visitations began.
  

• All Hug-A-Pet volunteers must be current members of OHS and be covered by our insurance before making a visit.

• OHS volunteers may visit locations as a group, or once trained, may visit at facilities individually.

• Volunteers are expected to visit monthly. Patients look forward to visits and become attached to the animals and volunteers.

• The program director must be advised in advance of vacations, or as soon as possible if an emergency or illness occurs. This allows time to notify facilities that visitation will be cancelled and patients advised so they are not unnecessarily disappointed.

• Volunteers will display OHS identification as a Hug-A-Pet volunteer during visitations.

   

  Volunteer Responsibility

• The animal guardian is required to provide information that immunizations required are current. The animal must be flea/parasite free and a fecal test must be taken at the participant’s cost prior to visitation. Please contact us at info@ohlonehumanesociety.org Subject line: Hug-A-Pet