17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers

17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers, Inc.

17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers

17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers, Inc.

17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers

17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers, Inc.

How can my
dog and I volunteer?

Volunteers

We look for well-mannered, well-behaved dogs that enjoy meeting people.  All dogs in the 17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers must be certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).  Please see their website, which will discuss age of dogs, formal training, vaccines, fecal exams, vet checks, background checks, insurance, dues, and the formal testing process. 

Next Steps

After you are certified, you may contact Mary Ellen Commare at maryellen@17ththerapydogs.org.  She will guide you through the rest of the process, which includes:

  1. A letter stating why you would like to work in the court system, the schools, and/or at community events.
  2. A copy of your ATD membership card and proof of insurance from ATD.
  3. Authorization and Release form for the background check.
  4. Confidentiality explanation and signature form completion.
  5. Copy of dog’s vaccinations and results of annual physical.
  6. Name of facility where your dog was trained and the name of your ATD evaluator.
  7. A list of where you have visited with your dog after you were certified. (6 months of visits are required)
  8. Picture of you and picture of your dog.

Kathleen Alsup is the ATD evaluator who tests for the 17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers program.  If she did not evaluate you for your ATD certification, she will do a shortened evaluation for you to become a member of the 17th Circuit program.

If you were a member of another therapy dog program and want to become a member of the 17th Circuit program, you will have to be certified by ATD and then follow the above steps for the 17th Circuit program.