GET INVOLVED
Volunteer with Delta Therapy Dogs
A unique opportunity where you get to spend time with your dog and contribute to your community - apply now to join the Delta family!
Being a Therapy Dog Team allows you to share the joy of your dog with others by volunteering to deliver our programs!
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Our nearly 1,000 volunteers and their dogs support program beneficiaries in Delta's partnering schools, hospitals, aged care facilities, youth services, mental health services, correctional facilities, and other health and community services right across Australia.
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What does volunteering involve?
What are my options for volunteering?
Are my dog and I suitable to become a Therapy Dog team?
What if we are interested but not quite ready?
What is involved in the recruitment process?
I would like to submit an expression of interest.
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What is involved?
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As a Therapy Dog Team you will generally volunteer your time to deliver our programs on a weekly or fortnightly basis. However we also have opportunities for volunteers who are available on more of an ad hoc basis.
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While each session is no longer than 90 minutes, including preparation (eg. washing and grooming) and travel time, your total time commitment is approximately 3 hours per session delivered.
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In most instances our Program Partners request that Delta's programs are delivered by our volunteers during weekdays (Mon-Fri) and in business hours (9am-5pm). The occasional weekend placement might be available, but this is rare and at the discretion of the partner.
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Delta Therapy Dogs goes through a rigorous matching process to find you and your dog just the right placement with one of our Program Partners - which include health services, aged care facilities, schools, disability and mental health services.
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It is our experience that volunteers and their dogs build meaningful relationships with program beneficiaries, and sessions are a highly anticipated event.
"It was a very heart-warming [session] and there was no doubt that this program adds value, variety and enhances the day-to-day lives of the residents... and we get a huge amount of pleasure so is a WIN/WIN!" - Sydney-based Delta Therapy Dogs Volunteer.
What are my options for volunteering?
Program | Days/times | Frequency | Assessment & Training | Volunteering Details |
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Therapy Dogs program | Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Occasional weekends | Fortnightly | 15-min canine and handler assessment and 5 hours of online induction training | A regular ongoing placement with an aged care facility, hospital or other health or community care organisation with a focus on wellbeing. |
Classroom Canines program | Monday to Friday, school hours during term-times only | Weekly (school-terms only) | 15-min canine and handler assessment and 5 hours of online induction training | A regular ongoing placement with a Primary or High School, working alongside school staff to promote social, emotional or academic outcomes. |
Paws the Pressure program | Monday to Friday, 9am- 5pm | Ad-hoc | 15-min canine and handler assessment and 5 hours of online induction training | Flexible volunteering opportunities within our social enterprise visiting universities and corporate clients. Volunteers are rostered to sessions as per their availability, and attend with a group of 2-5 Therapy Dog Teams. |
Animal Assisted Therapy program | Monday to Friday, 9am- 5pm | Weekly, fortnightly or at scheduled intervals agreed with the Program Partner | 15-min canine and handler assessment plus 45-min AAT assessment if successful; 5 hours of online induction plus 10 hours AAT specific training | Currently only seeking volunteers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Variable placement opportunities (regular on-going or episodic for 8-10 sessions at a time) working alongside a mental health clinician to deliver 1:1 or small group sessions to consumers needing more intensive interventions. |
Dog Safe program | Monday to Friday, school hours during term-times only | Ad-hoc | No dog is required. | Only for those volunteers based in Hobart. Deliver school-based education on dog safety. |
Are we suitable?
It is really important for you, your dog and the people who benefit from Delta's programs that we ensure it is a great match for everyone. Not all dogs enjoy or actively seek out attention from strangers and this is entirely normal.
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What we look for in a Delta Therapy Dog Team:
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A dog who is over 18 months and under 9 years of age;
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A dog who is attentive and responsible to instruction, with basic obedience;
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A dog who seeks out attention from strangers;
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A volunteer who is committed to using only positive reinforcement methods of dog training;
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A volunteer who enjoys engaging with a wide range of people;
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A volunteer who can provide a consistent commitment;
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A dog and volunteer who has passion for the work undertaken by Delta Therapy Dogs; and
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A dog and volunteer who have a strong positive relationship.
"Everyone was so excited to get a visit, and were ready and waiting. The first patient we saw had had bad news earlier in the day, and when she got [to] cuddle [the dog] she said "her day had brightened up, and thank you for the good work we do" - Melbourne-based Delta Therapy Dogs Volunteer. ​
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RTO 90250
Interested, but not ready?
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Your dog may be suitable for a Therapy Dog role, but not quite ready. If this is the case we can connect you to a Delta accredited trainer for some additional training support.
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The Delta Institute is the accrediting body for positive reinforcement trainers who have undertaken the national accredited training course conducted by Delta.
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Click here to find a trainer in your area.
What is the recruitment process?
If after reading the Assessment process and selection criteria, you feel that you and your dog are ready and suited to the role of Therapy Dog Team with Delta, we invite you to submit your Expression of Interest.
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The recruitment process flows as follows:
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For those wanting to volunteer in our AAT program, there is an extra assessment to ensure your dog is suitable for this work specifically, as well as an additional 10-hours of online training.
Express your interest now!
If you have reviewed the suitability criteria click below to complete an expression of interest and a member of the team will contact you.
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If you are interested but unable to attend the next Assessment Day, you can still complete an expression of interest and we will keep in touch about future opportunities.