Making a difference, one paw at a time
We’re pleased to partner with pet pooches (and their parents) who serve their community in a variety of ways and for the benefit of many. Explore our five social, therapy, reading, comfort and comfort, crisis, peer support volunteer dog team options below, and check out our frequently asked questions if you’d like to sign up to be part of a team.
Social PALS brighten up the day by bringing smiles to those they visit in a variety of settings.
Therapy PALS are written into a patient’s treatment plan, end-of-life plan or child’s individualized education plan. Teams help by increasing motivation and improving self-confidence as well as providing comfort and emotional support when needed.
Reading PALS provide a warm, fuzzy, non-judgmental reading friend for children in schools and libraries.
Comfort PALS offer much-needed emotional support during a crisis, or following a death or traumatic time. Interacting with a PALS team helps to lower blood pressure and stabilize heart rate, facilitating a more even emotional state to cope.
Comfort, Crisis, Peer Support PALS are dispatched, by request, to visit law enforcement agencies, fire houses and various dispatcher centers.
How to become certified by PALS
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Attend 15-hour social, therapy and reading team training + pass 17-point evaluation to become a PALS Social, Therapy, Reading Dog Team.
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Attend an eight-hour comfort dog team training + pass 16-point evaluation (must be a current PALS social, therapy, reading dog team in good standing) to become a Comfort Dog Team.
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Complete online classes and submit certificates to PALS for comfort, crisis, peer support certification (must be a Social, Therapy, Reading Dog Team and Comfort Dog Team in good standing):
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 certificate
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International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) – Behavioral Health Awareness certificate
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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) – Psychological First Aid (PFA) certificate
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Ready to volunteer with PALS?
What our PALS volunteers say
“My two dogs Linus and Velvet bring joy to me and my family, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share them with others in the community. They wag their tails when I bring out their PALS vest, ready for their next adventure. Then I get to watch children and adults smile and giggle and laugh when we visit and listen to great stories the dogs inspire. It is an honor to have so many opportunities to brighten someone's day.”
-Alexandra J. (volunteer and board member)