A. Provincial/Territorial/Area Therapy Dog Coordinators
1. Provincial/Territorial/Area Therapy Dog Coordinators are senior volunteers
responsible to the Provincial/Territorial/Area Commissioner for the efficient
implementation, administration and operational support of the Therapy Dog Program within
their physical jurisdiction. Councils are responsible for providing appropriate resources
to support the operation of Therapy Dog Coordinators.
2. Provincial/Territorial/Area Therapy Dog Coordinators are responsible for ensuring
the continuity of the Therapy Dog Program within their jurisdiction. This includes
overseeing operational matters within their jurisdiction, coordination of meetings and
work groups, development of reports as requested, and liaison with the Chief Evaluator and
other Coordinators.
3. By liaising with Therapy Dog Units on a regular basis, the Provincial/
Territorial/Area Therapy Dog Coordinators assist Brigade Units with:
a. identification of community needs and resources as they relate to the program;
b. assistance and advice on the policies and procedures for establishing new Therapy
Dog Programs;
c. assessment and acquisition of Therapy Dog training/testing resources including the
assessment and training of evaluators;
d. development and implementation of community relations initiatives as they relate to
the program;
e. coordination of evaluator activities.
4. The Unit Therapy Dog Coordinator is responsible for the overall organization,
administration, and training of the Unit. Unit Therapy Dog Coordinators work closely in
cooperation with their Provincial and Area counterparts and local Branches to ensure the
smooth, efficient operation of the program.
5. Responsibilities of the Unit Therapy Dog Coordinator include:
a. ensuring that members/dogs are fully qualified and that every member has the
opportunity to obtain St. John Ambulance Brigade and Therapy Dog training as required;
b. liaising with the local Branch or Council on relevant administrative support issues
such as financial management, fundraising and service territory;
c. liaising with and arranging scheduled visits to hospitals, nursing homes, etc, in
their region;
d. monitoring new handlers with and without their dogs on first visits, and new dogs
with their handlers on first visits;
e. assisting in the coordination of Therapy Dog testing, workshops and seminars;
f. coordinating and/or assisting with public relations initiatives;
g. scheduling and chairing semi-annual unit meetings;
h. ensuring that members have access to adequate resources;
i. identifying community needs and resources as they relate to the program;
j. providing uniforms and dog tags to appropriate volunteers in a timely fashion;
k. orientating members to program policies and procedures;
l. coordinating, tracking and reporting all honours and awards; and
m. ensuring that all records and reports are completed accurately and submitted on time
to the appropriate level in accordance with StJCI 2-8.
C. Evaluators and Assistant Evaluators
6. Evaluators are individuals who are qualified to provide St. John Ambulance
Therapy Dog testing to members and their dogs. They are responsible for ensuring that all
certification records and reports are completed accurately and submitted to the Chief
Evaluator within 14 days of testing. Evaluators are required to up-date their
qualifications by attending seminars as required, and must recertify annually.
7. Evaluator prerequisites include:
a. considerable experience with a variety of breeds of dogs;
b. a good understanding of basic dog behaviour (theory and practice); and
c. attendance at an initial training seminar.
8. Evaluators are often qualified Canadian Kennel Club Judges, Obedience School
Trainers, groomers or other people with extensive hands-on canine experience
9. It is recommended that all Evaluators enter the program as Assistant Evaluators,
graduating to full Evaluator status after a minimum period of one year in which they are
active visitors in the Therapy Dog Program and have acquired a strong knowledge of the
program and the testing procedure.
10. Assistant Evaluator is the first level of training to be obtained when entering the
program. A résumé of their qualifications and canine experience must be sent to the
Chief Evaluator.
11. Assistant Evaluators are expected to attend training sessions and seminars, assist
Evaluators, assist local Coordinators and be recertified annually.
12. Potential evaluators must complete an application to be a Therapy Dog Evaluator
(see Annex C).
D. Chief Evaluators
13. The Chief Evaluator is appointed by the Provincial Commissioner on the advice
of the National Therapy Dog Coordinator, and is ultimately responsible for all decisions
in relation to Evaluators.
14. The Chief Evaluator is responsible for:
a. ensuring conformity to national Therapy Dog standards;
b. supervising testing for Assistant Evaluators and Evaluators;
c. scheduling all Evaluator tests, seminars and recertifications;
d. assisting and advising local Coordinators on the policies and procedures for
establishing a new Therapy Dog Program, in conjunction with the Provincial Coordinator;
and
e. overseeing Evaluator procedures.
E. Dog and Member (Handler)
15. Therapy Dog Program members and their dogs provide companionship to those who
are lonely and ill through regular visits to hospitals and nursing homes.
16. Any individual and their dog may join the program provided:
a. the individual is successfully screened according to the policy in StJCI 2-9-2, and
meets the requirements for Brigade membership as outlined in StJCI 2-3-1. Note that
Standard First Aid certification is not required for membership as a St. John Ambulance
Therapy Dog volunteer, however such certification is encouraged.
b. the dog is of sound temperament (assessed through St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog
testing).
17. New members are accompanied by a qualified Therapy Dog Evaluator or Coordinator
without the dog for one visit to ensure that they are comfortable with the environment
they are visiting. The dog is then introduced on the next two accompanied visits. If these
visits are successful, a regular visitation schedule is established.
F. Auxiliary Members
18. Auxiliary members are invited to assist as "actors" in evaluation
scenarios, and may be attached to local Therapy Dog units or other Brigade units.
