a. a Unit Therapy Dog Coordinator is identified, recruited and trained;
b. a membership recruitment campaign is initiated in cooperation with the local Branch
or Council by the Provincial/Territorial/Area Therapy Dog Coordinator (eg. newspapers,
local dog obedience clubs and veterinary clinics);
c. an information/registration seminar is arranged;
d. an evaluation workshop for interested candidates and their dogs is arranged (St.
John Ambulance Therapy Dog testing). At this time visiting rules will be reviewed and
handlers will provide St. John Ambulance with veterinarian-signed verification of current
immunization and health status.
e. hospitals and nursing homes are informed about the program being started in their
area by direct contact from the Provincial/Territorial/Area/Unit Therapy Dog Coordinators;
f. initial visit schedules are developed and implemented;
g. initial visits are assessed and evaluated;
h. visitation schedules are developed and implemented and member/dog dress items are
provided;
i. Provincial/Area/Unit Therapy Dog Coordinators visit each area quarterly to assess
the visitation program.