Pet Therapy at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Pet therapy offers our patients positive human-animal interactions in a clinical setting, bringing emotional support at a vulnerable time. Pet therapy is a connection, ideally one that forms between animals and patients who may be dealing with serious medical conditions. For this program, only dogs will be permitted to participate in the program at Owensboro Health. Comfort or support animals that do not meet the criteria are not authorized for visitation.

Any dogs that are here in the hospital for the Pet Therapy Program are required to go through Volunteer Services and complete the appropriate application and steps to become a certified pet therapy volunteer for Owensboro Health.

If at any time a dog’s behavior and or condition poses a direct threat to the health and safety of a patient, visitor or staff, the dog will be excluded from the hospital.

Online Application for Pet Therapy Volunteers

Pet Therapy Requirements

• All dogs are required to complete and pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test (this can be completed through pet stores). Documentation of this is required.
• All pet therapy teams must be certified through a therapy dog certification program. These programs are independent from the hospital and are the second step for your dog to be considered a certified therapy dog. Documentation of this is required.
  • KY Canine Campus offers trainings programs for pet therapy teams.
  • Pet Smart provides training programs for pet therapy teams.
  • If you choose to participate in a therapy program outside of these two mentioned above please provide the documentation to us and we will review and determine if this meets our eligibility requirements.
• Certification programs must provide liability insurance for all of the program’s certified pet therapy teams. Handlers will be asked to provide proof of insurance coverage on the dog in the event of an accident.
  • Insurance can be obtained through your own policy.
  • Documentation will be required to show at time of interview.
• Therapy dogs should be at least one year of age or older.
• Handlers must provide proof of vaccination records and a yearly health screening through a licensed veterinarian. Dogs should be on flea and tick prevention medication. You will be required to submit an annual vet visit with vaccinations.
• Teams are required to visit the hospital a minimum of three times per month.
• Dogs should be bathed 24 hours before entering the hospital or again after that if they become dirty.
• Dogs should not be fed a raw diet.
• Dogs should be free of skin conditions or open wounds.
• Dogs cannot have a history of aggression towards any person, including strangers.
• Animals must be on a leash and under the handler’s control at all times.

Steps to Become a Pet Therapy Volunteer at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• As a handler if you meet the program requirements listed above, you will need to apply through the online volunteer application. Pet therapy volunteers and their dogs will be required to do an interview by the Volunteer Coordinator before moving on to the next step.
• Once you have applied, you will receive a call from the coordinator to set up an interview which will need to include your dog.
• If you move forward after the interview, you will be required to set up a time to do an evaluation where volunteer services staff will evaluate your dog and your dog-handling abilities.
• As a pet therapy volunteer, you are also required to do all annual compliance training and yearly TB requirements and flu shots each year.

Please note that Owensboro Health does not train or provide therapy dogs. We evaluate you and your dog to act as a therapy dog team. We will evaluate your dog’s abilities and behaviors. The training we recommend for this role is basic obedience training and good socialization. There isn’t a specific program or course we endorse.