PAL WARMLY WELCOMES FRIENDLY PETS AND THEIR KIND OWNERS!
PAL volunteers make the DC metro area a more compassionate place to live.Pet Visiting -- PAL volunteer owners and their volunteer pets visit nursing homes, hospitals and other places in need of TLC in the D.C. metro area. Our certification for your pet is friendly and easy so that your dog (or other pet!) can start visiting ASAP.
Details on the Pet Visiting volunteer process are below.
PAL Club and Camp -- The students of Stanton Elementary need you. They have natural curiosity and an affinity for animals, but face all the challenges of urban education. PAL Club Volunteers tutor these great kids in reading and math, chaperone field trips to fun places like the Zoo, visit with their pets, and help in many other ways. Try it once and you'll be hooked -- the kids will pay you with appreciative hugs! Please fill out this PAL Club Volunteer Application and submit it to the PAL Office if you'd like to serve as a PAL Club volunteer tutor, chaperone or in some other capacity.
PAL Club and Camp -- The students of Stanton Elementary need you. They have natural curiosity and an affinity for animals, but face all the challenges of urban education. PAL Club Volunteers tutor these great kids in reading and math, chaperone field trips to fun places like the Zoo, visit with their pets, and help in many other ways. Try it once and you'll be hooked -- the kids will pay you with appreciative hugs! Please fill out this PAL Club Volunteer Application and submit it to the PAL Office if you'd like to serve as a PAL Club volunteer tutor, chaperone or in some other capacity.
If you would like to visit Stanton as a Pet Visit volunteer, follow the usual certification process below and then let John know you want to bring your pet's loving presence to Stanton!
PET VISITING Basic Requirements
PET VISITING Basic Requirements
Pets must be friendly, get along with dogs, other pets and humans, and dogs should follow basic the basic commands -- come, sit, and stay -- reasonably well.
-
Birds and pocket pets like guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters are welcome. (They don’t need to follow commands!)
-
Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Volunteers under the age of 16 are welcome with an adult partner.
Students needing volunteer hours are welcome to meet school requirements by volunteering with PAL.
Female dogs may not attend orientation or pet visits while in season.
- Pets must have a health certificate with a current rabies vaccination signed by a veterinarian.
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be up-to-date to continue volunteering; PAL will contact you when your rabies is due to expire.
- Please have your dog clean and groomed for all visits!
PET VISITING Certification Process
We hope you and your pet would be excellent at sharing love and affection with others. Follow these steps to become certified and start spreading the joy.
1. Download and read the Orientation Package for a general introduction, information on visiting, and the application forms.
2. Send in your forms and your $100 donation. PAL will contact you promptly with the next orientation date, and reserve your spot.
-
3. Attend a Volunteer Orientation and enjoy yourself.
Orientations are held monthly and last about an hour. Find the dates on the calendar on this website for upcoming orientations. Usually, between 10 and 20 dogs and their owners attend. Click here to see an orientation in action.
- At the orientation we will review the orientation package, participate in role-playing with your pet and observe your pet's temperament.
The orientations are held at the Armed Forces Retirement Home and you will get a chance to practice with the residents there. - 4. Attend two PAL supervised visits
At orientation, you will be asked to sign up for two supervised visits On these visits, you will work with an enthusiastic and experienced PAL Group Leader who will answer your questions and give you tips and advice. - Once your two supervised visits are completed, you will be encouraged to go to the site or sites of your choosing. PAL has about 25 sites currently.
Don't worry − people-loving dogs always do well. And if you still have questions, read this FAQ.
after you are certified...
- 1. Join one or more facility visit group.
-
The calendar on this website gives you dates and times of visits.
This detailed list has information about each site, including any limits on the number of teams and any other special requirements. Each site has its own personality. To find a good fit, talk with other volunteers during your evaluation visits, or call John who can give you more information.
Visit as many sites as you like! Many of our volunteers make dozens of visits a year. It's addictive.
2. Send in your updated doggie health information when contacted to keep your dog's health records current.
3. Please join us at volunteer events: two are held in the summer, and one during the holiday season. Read the e-newsletter, send us photos of your dog in action, and recruit other great dogs and owners you know.
Gather a Group to Volunteer
Volunteer with your friends, church or other group!
St. Pete’s Pets is a special group of PAL volunteer teams in Leesburg, VA. Eight members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church volunteer at Heritage Hall, a nursing and rehabilitation center. These folks share a special time with their pets, families and the residents.
St. Pete’s Pets is a special group of PAL volunteer teams in Leesburg, VA. Eight members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church volunteer at Heritage Hall, a nursing and rehabilitation center. These folks share a special time with their pets, families and the residents.
If you have a group of folks that would like to volunteer with, we would be happy to hold a special orientation for you, and help you find just the right site for your team of volunteers.
We're here to help
If you have any questions regarding the certification process, orientation, or the program in general, please contact the PAL Office at 202-966-2171 or john@peopleanimalslove.org.
