Local therapy dog program to make a comeback

Residents in need of some furry affection will soon be getting a huge boost.

St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program will be making its long-awaited return to the Sault after being forced to take a pause during the pandemic.

Local program coordinator Joey Kirkwood is excited to bring the initiative back to the community, especially for the residents who relied on it the most.

“Anybody who owns a dog or likes dogs can understand the effect they can have on people,” she says. “Being able to get the program up and running again is really exciting. There’s definitely a need in the community so we’re really pumped about bringing it back.”

Not to be confused with service dogs, therapy dogs and their owners will go to various places around town to boost morale and provide comfort for those who need it, while service dogs are specifically trained to aid one person with their daily activities.

The program reaches locals of all demographics, from hospital patients and long-term care residents to students and children with special needs.

“Everybody relies on therapy dogs,” Kirkwood says. “College and university students really appreciate the dogs as a lot of them miss their pets from home or are feeling stressed. The hospital and almost all the nursing homes are also excited to have us back. The staff really benefit too. It makes such a positive impact for all our residents.”

Kirkwood says they’re in need of dogs now more than ever, and they’re looking for people and dogs who enjoy volunteering and love spending time with people.

“Pretty much any dog who likes to be around people, is comfortable being pet, and likes being the center of attention could make a great candidate for this type of work,” she says. “There’s no limit with the type of breed, it really just depends on the temperament of your dog.”

St. John Ambulance is careful in making sure every dog and handler are well prepared before going out into the community.

“We’re confident that the dogs who pass are going to do very well in visiting hospitals and long-term care homes,” she says.

Kirkwood is hoping to have an orientation session in the new year, followed by evaluations at the end of January – both located at the St. John Ambulance office on Second Line.

Placements are intended to take place by early March and evaluations will be held every two to three months for new volunteers.

“The evaluation involves common-sense things you’d want to see in a therapy dog like straightforward obedience, walking nicely on a leash, comfortable in settings with a lot of people, and accustomed to odd sounds,” she says. “If the handler and dog pass, we get them placed in a hospital or long-term care home where their visits are supervised in a mentorship setting.”

“After we get them comfortable, we make sure it’s a good fit with the volunteer team and facility, and if it is, then off they go,” she adds.

The program coordinator wants to remind interested dog owners to not be discouraged if they don’t meet all the requirements to pass the course.

“We encourage people to go into it with an open mind,” she says. “If they don’t happen to pass, it doesn’t mean they don’t have a fantastic dog. They’re just not a fit for this particular job. Every dog is special.”

Anyone interested in joining the program is encouraged to email michelle.morin@sja.ca or call the local St. John Ambulance office at 705-945-1224.