PAL WARMLY WELCOMES FRIENDLY PETS AND THEIR

 

 KIND HUMANS!

 

PAL volunteers make DC a more compassionate place to live.

 

With the Pet Visit Program, PAL volunteers and their pets visit nursing homes, hospitals, libraries, and other places in need of TLC in the DC metropolitan area. Our certification process is friendly and easy so that your dog (or other pet) can start visiting ASAP.  

 

Details on the Pet Visiting volunteer process are below.

 

PET VISITING BASIC REQUIREMENTS

 

Pets must be friendly, get along with dogs, other pets and humans, and should respond to basic commands - sit, stay, and come.

 

• Birds and pocket pets like guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters are welcome. They don’t need to be trained to sit and stay!
• 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 heat, and male dogs must be neutered.
  

• 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.
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• Please have your dog clean and groomed for all visits! 

 

PET VISITING Certification Process

We know you and your pet will 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.
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  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 sidebar on this website for upcoming orientations. Usually, between 10 and 20 dogs and their humans attend. Click here to see an orientation in action.

• At the orientation we will review the orientation package, do an obedience test 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 participate in a practice visit with the residents there.
  
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• 4. Attend a PAL Evaluation visit
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• At orientation, you will be given a list of places where you can sign up for your second and final evaluation visit. On this visit, you will work with an enthusiastic and experienced PAL Group Leader who will answer your questions and give you tips and advice.
  
• Once your supervised visit is completed, you will send in your evaluation form and will be certified to visit the site of your choice. PAL currently visits 36 sites in DC, Maryland and Virginia.

after you are certified...

• 1. Join one or more facility visit group.
• The calendar on this website gives you dates and times of visits.
  
  The current volunteers section of this site includes a detailed list of our facilities, explaining 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 the PAL office for 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.
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  We will contact you to keep your dog's health records current.
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  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.
  

We're here to help