Our Dogs Make House Calls…
Ready to Lend a Paw
Caregiver Canines® was started in 2009 as a unique visiting therapy dog service. Our mission is to increase the well-being of seniors and their caregivers by matching them with a therapy dog team for visits in the comfort of their own home. The goal is to decrease loneliness and stress by providing connection, affection, comfort and joy to those that can no longer care for a pet of their own.
How Caregiver Canines® Can Help
All Caregiver Canines have been certified and are insured. They have been evaluated by the program coordinator to make sure they are a good fit for the program. The dogs and their handlers are carefully matched with senior citizens at a time and date that is convenient for both parties. The volunteer stays with the dog for the entire visit. The senior gets the best part of dog ownership. They get to interact and play with the dog without all the responsibility that goes along with pet ownership.
Interactions with dogs are known to reduce stress and loneliness and improve the health and self-esteem of those they visit. These visits are also beneficial to people with dementia because the dogs can help trigger memories of the past. This program brings together those who share a mutual love of both dogs and people.
Caregiver Canines is made possible by the generous support of
Thanks to Pine Belt Subaru for supporting Caregiver Canines
through the Share the Love® Event.
Volunteer
Do you and your dog want to start therapy work with Caregiver Canines?
Is your dog certified?
Yes – Great, we would love to have you and your therapy dog on our team! Please contact the office at 732-505-2273 ext. 202. All the necessary paperwork will be mailed out and you and your dog can start volunteering after meeting the program coordinator.
No – Your dog must be a certified and insured therapy dog to volunteer with our program. Therapy dogs must have basic obedience and training for this work. You and your dog must also pass a test in order to be certified. It is not as hard as it sounds! Please contact the program coordinator at 732-505-2273 ext. 202 for referrals to training schools.
Scroll down for more frequently asked questions about Caregiver Canines.
Video Gallery
Caregiver CaninesCaregiver Canines was lucky to have two interns from Georgian Court University produce a video for us about our program. We hope that this shows you the special relationship our therapy dogs have with the people they visit. Pictures help to tell a story but to see the interaction as it happens is the best way to show our story. Enjoy! Thank you Kat and Doug!!
Posted by Caregiver Canines on Friday, 4 December 2015
FAQs about Caregiver Canines
Yes, all dogs have been trained and certified. They have all been screened by the Caregiver Canines® Manager and are insured.
Visits are typically once a week for an hour but can vary depending on preferences.
Yes, the dogs are owned by their handlers and the handler will be present for the whole visit.
In Ocean CountyBay Head, 08742
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In Monmouth CountyAllentown, 08501 |
We’ve gathered a list of resources beneficial to those with disabilities, seniors, and caregivers located in Monmouth and Ocean County. You can view them at this link: https://caregivervolunteers.org/community-resources/
