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Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT)
Volunteers and their pets must complete a variety of "testing" in order to be certified to participate in this program. Once certified, volunteers must commit to visiting a minimum of two times per month in one or more of TFH’s programs . If you think you might be interested in volunteering for this program, please contact our office at (530)587-5948. |
The
Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe’s (HSTT) Pet Assisted
Therapy (PAT) program was established in 1997. Pet Assisted
Therapy involves certified HSTT volunteers and their
companion animals visiting at the Tahoe Forest Hospital’s
Extended Care Center and med/surg (inpatient) department,
and other various Tahoe Forest Hospital programs including
hospice, in-home health care and the Children’s Center. HSTT
volunteers and their pets touch the lives of many people
(residents, patients, family, and staff) during their
visits. Pet Assisted Therapy visits by volunteers and their
pets are gifts that are given to the community year-round,
and the health benefits that the company of animals can
provide are numerous: lower blood pressure, greater feelings
of self-worth, less depression and anxiety. Like all gifts,
Pet Assisted Therapy benefits both the giver and the
recipient, and HSTT volunteers find participating in the
program very rewarding.