JOIN OUR TEAM
Learn how to become part of the BAMC Therapy Dog Program.
MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT
Each therapy dog team is assigned units to visit on a weekly basis. During the visits the team will see patients and staff to assist with stress management and recovery.
TEAM BAMC
Our team shares a love of dogs and community. You will become part of the larger BAMC Therapy Dog team where we frequently attend events together and participate in team building activities.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Be a member of an AKC recognized therapy organization.
Be 18 years of age.
Have completed a dog handler training course.
Follow all rules set forth by your therapy organization as well as BAMC's policies.
Attend yearly training.
Dog must have annual required vaccinations and checkup.
Handler must have annual required vaccinations.
BE A MEMBER OF A THERAPY DOG ORGANIZATION
Therapy dog teams (human & dog) must be active members of an AKC-recognized therapy dog organization that provides liability insurance.
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Handlers must complete a dog handler training course.
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If you are not part of a therapy organization or have not completed a handler training course and need recommendation or assistance, please email us at BAMCTherapyDogs@gmail.com.
CONTACT US
Once you are a member of a therapy dog organization, contact us to express interest. We will need information about you and your dog. The below form will give you an idea of the information we will be asking for throughout the process. Please email us at BAMCTherapyDogs@gmail.com.
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INTERVIEW
We want to get to know you and discuss the process of joining our team. Once you have emailed us to express interest in joining the program, we will schedule an interview.
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Once we have collected your initial information and done a brief interview, we will invite you and your dog in for an evaluation.
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EVALUATION
Being that BAMC is a very complex environment for therapy dogs, we do require further examination of your therapy dog team skill set on an active unit. Not all therapy dogs are right for hospital work (wheelchairs, gurneys, loud machinery, etc.) and not all hospital therapy dogs are right for BAMC due to the added complexity of being a military-focused institution.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
BAMC Therapy Dogs are part of BAMC's volunteer program. Volunteer Services will assist you in getting credentials allowing you to access the base and hospital. They will require a background check and mandatory volunteer training.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT
Once you have completed your onboarding and volunteer services training, you will be assigned a list of units to visit based on your schedule. On your first day, a teammate will show you around and help you get acclimated!