Volunteer

We are a volunteer-run organization and are currently recruiting for the following roles:

Dog Handler

Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? Do you have a loving dog over the age of 1?

We are looking for dog owners with the ability to make visits twice a month, or 24 visits in a year.

See details below.

Poster/Flyer Distributor

Don’t have a dog but still want to help support our organization?

We are looking for volunteers to help put up Sunshine Therapy Dog posters and marketing materials to appropriate local venues.

2-4 hours/month.

Interested? Fill out the Volunteer Application form below and a member of our team will reach out to you for the next steps!

How to Become a Sunshine Therapy Dog

1. Submit the volunteer form

A member of our team will reach out to you to schedule a phone interview.

2. Phone Interview

Our team will outline the expectations and responsibilities of potential dog handlers and screen for suitability. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

3. Group Assessment Session

Applicants are invited to a group assessment session run by a professional dog tester/trainer. This is to determine if your dog would be comfortable being in the environments where we work.

Our volunteer’s dog’s welfare is of the utmost importance to us. More details on the evaluation are below.

4. Vulnerable Sector
Screening Test

Volunteers must complete an online criminal background check (we’ll help you do this). If a volunteer chooses to visit senior’s facilities, a TB inoculation record is needed. Dogs are required to be up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Submit the form and get one step closer to making a difference in the mental health of Ontarians!

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from the dog handler assessment?

Applicants will attend a group assessment led to ensure your dog is comfortable in the environments where we work, prioritizing their welfare.

The evaluation includes:

Handler Response: Can the owner demonstrate basic control? Does the dog respond to the handler?
Control While Walking: Can the handler maintain control on a loose leash while walking and greeting others
Group Scenarios: How does the dog react to various simulated contexts and sounds?
Interaction with Others: How does the dog behave around other dogs and people? How do they react when handled by someone other than their owner?

What is the time commitment for my dog and myself?

Becoming a Sunshine Therapy Dogs volunteer is an involved but rewarding process. Once you become a member of our team, we ask for a minimum of two visits (approximately 60 minutes plus travel time) per month. You will choose the visits that make sense for your schedule and interests.

How old does my dog need to be to volunteer?

Your dog needs to be a minimum of 12 months of age to volunteer for our program.

Volunteer Testimonials

“Yes it was definitely great visit for everyone! Would love to do it again if the opportunity presents itself.”

“I thought it was a fantastic visit, thoroughly enjoyable. A number of the students told me it was the best day of their life. I heard a few asking the teachers if they could do it every week. It really makes you feel good knowing our pups made someone’s day.”

“Hands down, one of my favourite events. A lovely day to do it too! Hope we get more of those.”

We had a very meaningful visit to Humber River Hospital today. The Mental wellness ward has ramped up with the start of school. We did our usual visit with the usual kids. The Humber visits are very meaningful to us and we really look forward to them. So many of the volunteers at the hospital and at the volunteer desk all know and look forward to seeing Maggie

Ollie and I had lots of fun. The children and other young people loved Archie and Ollie. The event was filled with the kind of energy that makes me think maybe the future of the world isn't as bleak as it sometimes seems. Thanks for making it happen.

During the event, the organizer repeatedly thanked us and said how great the dogs were. Many of the students were very thankful for the dogs. After petting Guthrie for about five minutes, one said “That made my day”. Another said “ If I has a dog like this, I would have no problems: ever!”

I also heard so many nurses say how it had “made their day”, lowered their stress”, “wish we could do this".