PET THERAPY SERVICE
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICAL CENTER
Sample Program Description
Page 1 of 3
SERVICE TITLE:
Pet Therapy
SUPERVISOR:
Infection Control Manager
Manager, Volunteer Services
Site Coordinator, Volunteer Services
PURPOSE:
The Pet visitation Program is designed to help patients adjust to the stress of
hospitalization by providing emotionally beneficial visits within the hospital and medical
center environment.
TIME COMMITMENT:
Varies, when requested
The Volunteer Department must maintain a file on each animal enrolled in the Pet Therapy
program. Each file must include updated proof of vaccinations, associated volunteer contact
information, any submitted compliments/complaints, and any other pertinent information relating
to the animal or associated volunteer.
Volunteer Services Manager reserves the right to accept or deny any Pet Therapy dog and
volunteer.
Dogs are the only pets to be included in the Pet Therapy Visitation Program.
Dogs must be registered with the KP hospital-approved organization, i.e.: TDI, Therapy Dogs
International, Inc.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Volunteer will:
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Exhibit excellent customer service skills with the willingness to listen and be understood
clearly when interacting with patients, visitors, families, staff and volunteers.
Exhibit a genuine interest in working with hospitalized patients of various ages and
diversities.
Comply with all general requirements and policies set forth for volunteers by the Volunteer
Services Department.
Be willing and able to follow KP Infection Control policies and procedures, refer to KP
Intranet under Policies and Procedures;
- Nursing Services Manual, Infection Control
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Medical Center Policy and Procedure Manual, Infection Control
Be willing and able to follow KP Pet Program/Animal Visitation and ADA Service Animals
policy and procedure, refer to KP Intranet under Policies and Procedures:
- Comply with KP’s National Compliance and HIPAA Privacy and Security Policies
Comply with the KP Electronic Asset Usage Policy and Procedure;
Be the owner of the dog.
Complete a Pet Therapy competency training prior to participating in the Pet Therapy
program
Participate in annual KP Environment of Care and Compliance trainings
PET THERAPY SERVICE
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICAL CENTER
Sample Program Description
Page 2 of 3
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Pass an annual Pet Therapy Observation – any inconsistencies will be addressed with a
follow-up review in one month. Pet Therapy Volunteer and dog will be able to resume
visitation after passing follow-up observation
Able to adapt communication and interaction to age specific needs
Dog to:
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Pass initial and annual Therapy Dogs International, Inc. certification and submit a copy of
current TDI card to the Volunteer Services Department
Provide current annual Rabies vaccination documentation to Volunteer Services Department
Be able to respond to specific commands when visiting; i.e., sit, down, stay, leave it
Refrain from barking, growling, jumping, scratching, biting or showing any type of
aggression towards anyone, while on the Medical Center campus.
Be clean and have all proper grooming, prior to visiting. Grooming includes: clean and free
of any unpleasant odors, well brushed to reduce shedding and nails trimmed to prevent
potential patient injury.
Refrain visitors and patients from feeding the dog while volunteering.
PROCEDURE:
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All Pet Therapy Volunteers are required to wear their KP identification badge and
volunteer services uniform during visitation. Nice slacks are to be worn, no jeans.
Dogs are to be wearing their KP vest and badge.
Sign in and out of the Volunteer Office, prior to and after all visits.
Check Pet Therapy log in Pet Therapy mailbox to identify patients who have requested
visitation and to document completed visitations.
Pet therapy volunteers will check in with hospital personnel, i.e., assistant nurse
manager, or RN designee when entering the unit either in person or via phone to confirm
appropriate patients to visit.
The Pet Therapy volunteer must remain with their dog at all times.
Pet Therapy Dogs are restricted from food preparation, medication preparation, and
clean supply areas and are not allowed to roam freely.
1.7.1 Restricted areas include: negative pressure rooms, pediatric playroom,
Emergency Department, Outpatient Procedure Center procedure rooms, Eye
Surgery procedure rooms
Animals should access the patient care areas using the stairwells whenever feasible.
Pet Therapy dogs are to be relieved in areas outside the hospital footprint with minimal
member visibility.
1.9.1 Dogs are to refrain from being relieved in the following areas: MOB Courtyard,
near main entrances of both the MOB and hospital, all courtyards within the
hospital footprint on any floor.
Supplies and equipment for immediate clean up of animal waste must be provided and
readily available during each animal visit. The Pet Therapy Program volunteer will clean
up animal waste and contact Environmental Services for any required follow-up
cleaning.
PET THERAPY SERVICE
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICAL CENTER
Sample Program Description
Page 3 of 3
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The Pet Therapy Volunteer will carry the following supplies; phone card, hand gel/wet
wipes, plastic bags for pet waste, gloves, pet water bowl and water, paper towels,
Wayfinding map.
Staff, patients, and volunteers will wash/degerm hands before and after each visit.
Any patients with open wounds will need approval from their nurse prior to visitation and
if approved, wounds must be covered when dogs are in attendance.
Pet Therapy Volunteer will ensure a hospital gown is placed over the gown the patient is
wearing if the patient requests to hold the dog. Dispose of the gown in the appropriate
receptacle after visitation.
Pet Therapy Volunteer will ensure a sheet; towel or appropriate cover will be placed over
the bed sheets prior to allowing the dog on the bed. Dispose of the cover in the
appropriate receptacle after visitation.
A Pet Therapy Dog with any illness (e.g., diarrhea, open wound, infection, etc.) should
not visit patients. Any dog in “heat” may not visit.
Pet Therapy Volunteer and/or Hospital personnel will immediately report any incident as
a result of the pet visitation to the unit’s supervisor/manager and the Volunteer Services
Manager and complete a Responsible Reporting Form which will be forward to the
Quality Department.
Pet Therapy Volunteer will note on the visitation log the areas they visited at the end of
their shift.