PAT Volunteer

To enhance the quality and comfort of the patient’s stay and to lift the patient’s mood with the visiting PAT dog under direct supervision from the qualified nursing staff.

Main duties of the role.

The value of pet ‘therapy’ and animal visits is widely accepted as a powerful aid to stimulation and communication. Studies have shown the presence of companion animals can improve the well-being of patients and lower the rate of anxiety, simply by making the hospital environment happier, more enjoyable and less forbidding.

• Increasing contact with patients
• Reducing boredom
• Reducing the anxiety of patients and improving their mental well-being

It is essential that dogs have passed a ‘Pets As Therapy assessment’. You do not have to have done this before applying as we can provide information and support you to do this. 

•  To visit hospital wards/clinics with your dog to interact with the patients
• To be able to confidently engage in talking to patients and allowing patients to spend time with your dog
• To deal sensitively with those people who may be upset
• Therapy dogs need to be calm and good natured, they also need to be obedient and happy and comfortable being petted by strangers.
• Visits should be restricted to the ward bed space and communal areas
• It is the responsibility of each owner to assess the health, temperament and suitability of their animal before visiting the hospital.
• To report to the Ward Sister/ Nurse in Charge on arrival and ask for advice regarding whether it is safe for patients to have contact with animals.

What skills do I need?

• The dog must be properly supervised by its owner and kept in sight at all times

•  There must be stringent hand washing measures in place for anyone handling the animals before and after contact.

• The dog should not come into contact with open wounds or any indwelling devices such as catheters, stomas, etc.

• The dog should not come into contact with dummies, baby bottles, toys, etc.

• The dog must not be allowed access to kitchens or other food preparation areas

• Animals should not have contact with patients who are eating.

• If the animal urinates or defecates, it is the responsibility of the clinical staff to ensure that contamination is cleaned up immediately, using sanitizing wipes

• Dogs must be registered with PAT (Pets As Therapy charity) and approved by Volunteer Services. Visits will only be allowed to take place with the prior agreement of senior ward staff.

• Complete volunteer sign in and activity sheets to record activities