Emotional Support Animal
Thank you for your interest in becoming an Arts In Medicine Emotional Support Animal!
Our “Paws for Hope” program is new to our program offerings.
Medical research has shown that emotional support animals have an immediate
effect of calming the neural activity in the brain and reducing the production
of the stress hormone, Cortisol. This is extremely important activity for our
patients and caregivers since they are going through one of the most
challenging experience they may ever face.
Requirements:- Must be at least 18-years-old.
- Typical sets run for approximately 3 hours.
- Facilitators are invited to participate on a bi-weekly
schedule.
- Complete a mandatory criminal background check, health
screen and orientation as well as an interview and 30-day probationary period.
- Adhere to the Watson Clinic policies and procedures,
including the dress code.
- Be responsible for communicating when unavailable for
assigned shift.
- Pet must have undergone training and certification from a
verified certification body and carry insurance which is approved through the
clinic.
Essential Skills Needed:
- Volunteers and their animal are comfortable playing in front
of people.
- Volunteers and their animal must be self-starters who can work independently and with minimal direction and supervision.
- Volunteers and their animal must demonstrate clear active-listening communication skills.
- Volunteers and their animal must demonstrate objectivity and will not personalize their own experiences.
- Volunteers and their animal are mature individuals who can
provide a positive atmosphere and can empathize with people living with cancer.
- Volunteers and their animal have a love for the creative
arts and a belief that patient and their families might benefit from their
music.
- Volunteers and their animal follow direction from staff.