Thank you for your interest in exploring volunteer opportunities at Children's National, an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome your interest to apply for the Animal Visitation & Therapy Volunteer Program!  

Submission of this application is the first step in the selection process for the Animal Visitation & Therapy Volunteer Program. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, and the specific requirements of the program we offer, we are unable to place every applicant. The Volunteer Services Department reserves the right to amend the scope and/or specifications of its program at any time. Please contact the Volunteer Services office with any questions or concerns.

 

 

 

Thank you for your interest in exploring volunteer opportunities at Children's National Hospital, an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note that this application is for volunteer opportunities at Children's National Hospital located in Washington, DC.

All applicants must complete and submit this online application in order to be considered for volunteer placement within CNH's Animal Visitation & Therapy Program. 

Please be prepared to attach the following documentation:

  • Proof of active therapy dog team status with an organization such as Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International, or the Alliance of Therapy Dogs
  • Proof of AKC Canine Good Citizen
  • Proof of canine vaccination history, confirming: Annual exam, rabies, bordetella, Distemper (DHLP), and negative fecal
  • A current photo of your pup!

 

Once the above are submitted and reviewed, a members from the Animal Visitation & Therapy will be in contact to coordinate an initial phone screen with the goal of scheduling an onsite interview for you and your pup!

Please note, all volunteers at Children's National are required to completed a medical screening, provide proof of current vaccination status, and allow for a formal background check.

Application Process

Availability and Commitment

Volunteers will be assigned a regularly scheduled shift, typically lasing one hour. Preference will be given to teams who are available on a weekly basis, however, every other week visitation will also be considered. Animal Visitation Teams are expected to provide a minimum of two visits a month.

 

Please note, the current openings below are the only available shifts for recruiting new pet therapy teams. 

Please mark the shifts you are available for:

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

Volunteer Information

Background Information
Have you ever been convicted of any offense other than a traffic violation? Have you ever been discharged or fired from eployment? Please indicate yes or no. If yes, please explain below.
Optional Information: Demographics
The below section is optional. Volunteer Services at times is asked for periodic reports pertaining to factors such as race, sex, and citizenship. Information provided will be used solely for statistical purposes and to track diversity trends. This information will not have any effect on the selection process. Children's National does not discriminate against its employees or volunteers or applicants for employment or service because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status or any other protected group status.
Animal Team Member
Attachments
Please upload the following documents and photo:
Interest in Program
Source/Referral

Emergency Contact

Volunteer and Program Commitment Agreement

I authorize for release of general information given on this application. I understand that completing this application is the first step of the acceptance process to join the Animal Visitation and Therapy Volunteer Program. If I am interested in proceeding in the process, I will follow the appropriate steps as outlined by Volunteer Services. I understand that I will be asked to present written, valid, official government documentation that I am legally present in the United States for the duration of the time I will be volunteering at Children's National (i.e. VISA, passport, or Social Security Card). I will present my government-issued photo ID at the time of my first shift. I acknowledge that the content of discussions and meeting during volunteer participation may include confidential information related to patients, patient care and or organizational processes. I also acknowledge that any documents or discussions in regard to the observational of patient care and workflow at Children's National Hospital are considered confidential information and are not subject to disclosure to any outside parties, and that any and all information regarding patients, parents, employees, and medical procedures and processes are confidential. I agree not to disclose any personally identifiable medical information regarding patients, parents, employees or medical procedures and/or processes at Children's National Hospital of which I acquire knowledge through my participation in this event, or through discussions and/or written documents. I understand that if I breach this Confidentiality Agreement, I will be subject to any and all penalties recognized by the District of Columbia and governing federal laws including the Privacy rules for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability regulations. I understand that this confidentiality provision is binging immediately upon my signature of this document and will be effective for a period of 10 years. If I wish to use any information I obtain during this activity, whether verbal or written, I understand that I must request authorization in writing from the Legal Department of Children's National Hospital.
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