To apply to volunteer as a Lend A Heart handler, please ensure our basic criteria are met:
- Your pet is a dog, cat or rabbit.
- Your pet is spayed or neutered.
- You have personally owned your pet for a minimum of six months.
- Your pet is at least one year of age.
Work on visiting skills with your dog, cat or rabbit to gain and maintain confidence. If you are a dog owner, your pet should at least have basic obedience training prior to evaluating with Lend A Heart. You may join Lend A Heart as an Associate Volunteer (non-handler).
Please note:
We welcome applicants with certifications such as the AKC Canine Good Citizen or registration/certification with other therapy pet organizations. Such certifications or registrations are not required by Lend A Heart. Applicants must meet all Lend A Heart volunteer requirements, regardless of other certifications the handler, pet, or team may already have. Membership and participation with Lend A Heart is applicable to our official programs and functions only. We do not certify teams to visit on their own.
The steps to joining Lend A Heart are:
- Meet the basic criteria
- Apply and observe
- Attend Orientation
- Pass Evaluation
- Trainee Evaluation Period
- Active Volunteer
Click on each link to walk through the process to become a Lend A Heart volunteer.
Additional details are provided in the Lend A Heart Volunteer and Policy Guide.