BECOME A VOLUNTEER
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Are you interested in volunteering with your dog and joining us? Check out our six-step process below.
Are you interested in volunteering with your dog and joining us? Check out our six-step process below.
West Michigan Therapy Dogs
Volunteer Forms
Please download and fill out the forms below to register:
Downloadable Forms
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
Requirements and Guidelines for Becoming a West Michigan Therapy Dog Team
Please read our volunteer guidelines and regulations; these are important to know before joining our organization to ensure you and your dog will be happy and successful. Many of these guidelines and rules are in place due to our insurance policy and were created with the safety and well-being of our volunteers, their dogs, and the communities we serve in mind.
Memberships & Renewal
To maintain membership with West Michigan Therapy Dogs (WMTD), handlers and dogs must:
- Successfully complete the Introduction to Pet Therapy Classes and pass the certification evaluation.
- Recertify every two years by passing the certification test.
- Volunteer an average of one hour per month.
- Follow all WMTD policies, as well as the rules and requirements of each facility they visit.
- Stay informed by reading the monthly WMTD newsletter.
- Keep membership, certification, and vaccination records current. If vaccination records expire, members must promptly respond to automated emails from the WMTD Office by submitting updated records or providing an update.
The WMTD Board of Directors may require a handler and dog team to temporarily or permanently refrain from WMTD visits if organizational policies are not followed.
Requests for exceptions to the Membership Guidelines must be submitted in writing to [email protected] for review by the Board of Directors.
Membership Terms & Fees:
Membership and renewals are valid for two years.
- Adult Membership: $30 for a two-year membership (includes one handler with one or more dogs).
- Additional Handler: $20 for a secondary handler in a household with one dog.
If your household has more than one handler or more than one dog, each handler must have their own WMTD membership. A dog may have multiple handlers, but each handler must complete the required training classes and pass the certification evaluation individually with that dog before participating in WMTD visits.
Junior Handler Program:
The Junior Handler Program is available to individuals who are at least 16 years old.
Junior Handlers may participate in WMTD visits only when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is a current certified WMTD member in good standing. The certified adult must complete the WMTD certification process and accompany the Junior Handler during all required training classes, shadow visits, and approved therapy dog visits.
Junior Handler membership is $20 for a two-year membership. Standard adult membership fees apply to the accompanying certified adult.
Dual Registration:
Therapy dog teams currently registered with another therapy animal organization that allows dual registration are welcome to apply for WMTD membership.
During WMTD Visits
Handler Requirements
During WMTD therapy visits, handlers must:
- Be clean, well-groomed, and follow the facility dress code or the WMTD Handler Dress Code Guidelines (link).
- Wear their WMTD identification badge at all times.
- Use the same equipment that was approved during the team’s certification evaluation.
Any questions, concerns, or complaints related to a visit must be directed to the WMTD Site Coordinator and the Director of Programs at [email protected]. Handlers should not direct concerns to the facility contact.
Attendance at WMTD events and visits is only permitted on the specific date and time assigned by the Site Coordinator or Program Director.
Dog Requirements
During WMTD therapy visits, dogs must:
- Be clean, well-groomed, and free of parasites.
- Have clean teeth and ears, as well as trimmed and filed toenails.
- Meet any additional grooming requirements established by specific facilities. Additional requirements will be communicated by the Site Coordinator.
- Not participate in therapy visits or WMTD events while in heat.
WMTD Apparel & Identification
WMTD logoed apparel, vests, and bandanas may only be worn during official WMTD visits, events, and activities by certified WMTD.
- “Therapy Dog in Training” bandanas may be used during required supervised shadow visits while completing the certification process.
- “Therapy Dog in Training” bandanas may also be worn during community socialization training.
- Certified therapy dogs must wear either their WMTD vest or WMTD bandana during approved WMTD visits.
Only the certified handler or another current WMTD member may hold the leash of a certified WMTD therapy dog during visits.
Approved Equipment
The equipment used during certification testing must also be used during WMTD therapy visits.
Approved equipment includes:
- Quick-release collars
- Snap collars
- Limited-snap (martingale) collars
- Buckle collars
- Body step-in harnesses
- Head halters
- Leashes with traffic handles (particularly recommended for large dogs due to liability concerns)
All leashes must be 6 feet or shorter.
Equipment not permitted includes:
- Metal collars or harnesses, including martingale collars with metal links in the central connection sections
- Slip collars of any type
- Training collars, including pinch, prong, spike, electric, or spray collars
- “No-pull” harnesses
Incident Reporting
If an incident occurs during a WMTD visit that results in injury to an employee, resident, or attendee at the facility, the handler must immediately:
- Contact the WMTD Site Coordinator.
- Contact the Director of Programs at [email protected].
- Notify the facility supervisor on duty.
- Complete all required incident documentation forms.
Vaccine Requirements
All required vaccination and health records must remain current and on file with WMTD for the duration of an active membership. Updated records must be emailed to the WMTD Office at [email protected].
Failure to maintain current records or comply with these requirements may result in suspension of WMTD membership and visitation privileges.
Required Vaccinations & Health Records
All active WMTD member dogs must have:
- Rabies Vaccine (RV)
- Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DAPP)
- Leptospirosis
- Bordetella
- A 5-day waiting period is required after receiving the Bordetella vaccine before participating in a WMTD visit.
- Negative fecal test results on file every 6 months
- Results must show no evidence of eggs, parasites, or Giardia.
Recommended Preventatives
WMTD strongly recommends that all therapy dogs remain current on:
- Heartworm prevention
- Flea and tick prevention
If using a topical flea/tick preventative, a 24-hour waiting period is required before participating in any WMTD visit.
Exceptions
Requests for exceptions to these vaccine and health requirements must be submitted in writing to [email protected] and approved by the WMTD Board of Directors.
Dogs Not Eligible for WMTD Membership
The following dogs are not eligible to become West Michigan Therapy Dogs (WMTD) therapy dogs:
- Dogs that are fed a raw diet, including BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diets.
- Dogs that have participated in or received training for bite work, protection work, or similar activities.
- Dogs that are wolf hybrids, in accordance with State of Michigan laws and regulations.
- Dogs that are under 1 year of age.
- Dogs that have been owned by or lived with the handler for less than 6 months.
- Dogs that are currently working as active service dogs.
- Dogs that are not well-socialized around other dogs.
- Dogs that demonstrate food aggression.
WHAT IS PET THERAPY?
Pet therapy is a broad term that includes animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and other animal-assisted activities. AAT involves animals to help individuals, many with health problems, to cope or recover, whether it's cancer, mental health issues, physical disabilities, and more. Animal-assisted activities are volunteer-based and meant to provide comfort and enjoyment to all ages.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. (WMTD) is a group of volunteers who provide Animal Assisted Activities to various groups in Western Michigan. Our services are free, and we do not accept monetary reimbursement for any of the services our members provide.
DONATE
We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations help us continue growing and reaching our goals. If you are interested in supporting our mission so we can serve more people in West Michigan, consider donating.