We’re always on the lookout for recruits!
Interested applicants must meet the criteria for both the volunteer handlers and their dogs.
Dr. Dog Requirements
- Must be at least 2 years old
- Must be healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations
- Must be spayed/neutered
- Must have a happy and placid temperament
- Must know basic obedience skills
- Must pass the Dr. Dog Examination
Volunteer/Handler Requirements
- Must be 18 years old and above
- Must be the owner of the dog candidate
- Must know how to handle their dog
- Must have good "people skills"
- Must be willing to attend Dr. Dog activities
THE DR. DOG EXAMINATION
There is no fee to join the PAWS Dr. Dog Program. The assessment is also free of charge. You may only be asked to shoulder the costs of transportation to attend Dr. Dog activities.
All Dr. Dogs need to be healthy, so they go through a basic health check which includes examining eyes, ears, teeth and skin, and checking for possible areas of pain in the back and hips. Their vaccination records will also be checked, and they will be required to undergo de-sexing if they haven’t yet.
Our Dog Behavior Specialist will observe how your dog interacts with you, with strangers and with other dogs. They will also perform rough handling (i.e. pulling their ears and tail, pinching their skin, etc.) to asses their tolerance levels. They will also test their reaction to loud noises and behavior around food and toys.
Your dog should know how to walk calmly on a leash and be able to “sit”, “stay” and “come” on command. If they do not know these basic commands, the owner or dog handler should at least be able to exercise control over their dog so that they do not misbehave around other people and dogs.
Dog not neutered yet? PAWS offers low-cost spay/neuter surgery!