Max and mittens save the world: Volunteer opportunities for pets
Not all heroes wear capes. These days, some have coats. Pets can help people as therapy animals at local hospitals and senior-care centers, and as read-to-me volunteers in children's literacy programs at schools and libraries.
Not all heroes wear capes. These days, some have coats. Pets can help people as therapy animals at local hospitals and senior-care centers, and as read-to-me volunteers in children's literacy programs at schools and libraries.
They can serve their own species by giving blood (donors are rewarded with pet treats instead of sugar cookies) or by enrolling as participants in clinical trials to advance pet medicine.
Does your pet have the right stuff? Here, the requirements and contact info:
TO VOLUNTEER AS A THERAPY PET: Most of the opportunities are for dogs, who should be at least a year old with an easygoing temperament, all of their shots, and the proven ability — they'll be tested — to follow basic commands like sit, stay and down. Their handlers should be 18 or older.
Comfort Caring Canines is one local group that certifies therapy dogs and matches them with volunteer opportunities in the region. It's holding an orientation session next Tuesday in Horsham (for people only) and will be evaluating potential therapy dogs at a certification event this October. For details, call 215-234-0362.
Dogs can also be tested and registered as therapy pets by Therapy Dogs Inc. (215-694-8825) and Therapy Dogs International (973-252-9800). The Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org) certifies therapy dogs, therapy cats and even therapy rabbits and guinea pigs.
TO DONATE BLOOD: Healthy dogs that are 1 to 6 years old and weigh 55 to 150 pounds may qualify as blood donors. They need to be up-to-date on their shots and able to lie calmly on their side for four or five minutes.
An animal bloodmobile staffed by veterinary nurses from the Penn Animal Blood Bank holds blood drives around the region at veterinary offices, breed clubs and neighborhood centers. For details and to connect with a drive near you, call 215-573-7222.
Pet cats aren't accepted as donors because they would need to be sedated.
TO ENROLL IN A CLINICAL TRIAL: The Veterinary Clinical Investigation Center (VCIC) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine enrolls both sick pets (who may receive free treatment) and healthy ones.
Trials run the gamut from sophisticated cancer and cardiology investigations to more straightforward inquiries about whether cats prefer to swallow a pill or a gel. A list of current trials and requirements to participate are online at PennVCIC.org.
TO LEND AN EAR AS A LITERACY HELPER: To help out as a listener for children who are learning to read, a dog typically needs to be certified either as a therapy pet (see above) or as an American Kennel Club Good Canine Citizen (see akc.org for details).
One local organization that sends qualified dogs to schools and libraries is Paws with Patience (610-868-5984), which operates in the Route 309 corridor.
In Bucks County, Nor'wester Readers (215-504-0154) places dogs in 23 classrooms in the Council Rock School District. The group is currently looking for volunteer pets to fill about 20 requests from teachers.
In New Jersey, the Vineland Public Library has an active chapter of the national Reading Education Assistance Dogs program. For details, call 856-794-4244 ext. 4734.