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Volunteer Information | |
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The first level of evaluation is based on the accompanying Behavior and Health Information questionnaire, which will be reviewed by PET PALS veterinarians at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. The second level consists of a rigorous "hands-on" behavior evaluation by program veterinarians and veterinary students. If your dog passes the evaluation, you will be asked to contact the UW Hospital Volunteer Services Office and begin your own volunteer orientation. The final stage of evaluation includes a complete physical examination and laboratory screening to assess your dog's health status. Once your dog passes this final evaluation, and you complete your hospital volunteer orientation, the two of you will be admitted to the program and will begin training for and making visits to the hospital. We'll also schedule your dog for follow-up veterinary screens to ensure his or her continued suitability as a pet therapy volunteer. The initial veterinary evaluation, as well as the follow-up screens will be conducted at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine free-of-charge. However, you and your regular veterinarian will continue to be responsible for all other aspects of your dog's health care, including routine vaccinations and monthly heartworm preventive. This extensive evaluation process is critically important to the program's success. It is designed to assure safe and enjoyable hospital visits for both the pediatric patients and our volunteer dogs. We realize that completing the evaluations is time-consuming and that only about one in fifteen dogs evaluated will be invited to become volunteers. If your dog is not admitted or you do not have the time to complete the evaluations, please do not be disappointed -- there are other important ways to lend support to the PET PALS program through organizational and fund raising activities. In addition, there are other means of volunteering your time and love to the UW Children's Hospital. To learn more about these opportunities, please contact the UW Hospital's Office of Volunteer Services at (608) 263-6046. Finally, if you and your dog are interested in becoming PET PALS volunteers, please begin the evaluation process by completing the first page of the Behavior and Health Information questionnaire as thoroughly and honestly as possible. Be sure to include both daytime and evening telephone numbers. Ask your regular veterinarian to fill out the second page of the form. Click here to get the forms! Then return the completed questionnaire to:
PET PALS Thank you again for your interest in our program! Sincerely,
Linda Sullivan, MA DVM |
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