Pets As Therapy Volunteer

Please note you need to have your dog registered with Pets as Therapy to apply for this role

Opportunities across all of our services in Devon, including North Devon, South Devon and Exeter- days/times negotiable to suit

A friendly well-behaved Therapy dog is often a welcoming sight for patients as well as staff. In this role you will provide a valuable service by helping to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals.

You are to act under the direction of the staff to provide a patient visiting service accompanied by the volunteers trained dog who must be registered with one of the following charities:

• Pets as Therapy
• Bales Buddies
  -Therapy Dogs Nationwide

Only those patients who have given their consent for a visit can be approached. Consideration must be given to patients who prefer not to be in close proximity to dogs, or to those patients or staff members who may suffer an allergic response.
Please note we will review applications on a regular basis so please do not delay in applying for this role.

What you will be doing

• Under the direction of staff, to chat to patients who have expressed wish to have a visit from the Therapy Dog
• Act in a sensitive manner with due regard to patient privacy, cognitive abilities and cultural beliefs
• Contribute to a safe, caring and stimulating environment
• Maintain the confidentiality of patients, their carers, staff and volunteers
• Know ones boundaries and if reached, seek further information and support from ward staff

The skills you need

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Discreet and non-judgemental
• Genuine interest in people
• Sensitive to others

What's in it for you

• Be part of an amazing team
• Gain new skills or use existing ones
• Gain experience in a hospital setting

Requirements

• Youmust be 18 or over
• To complete all relevant checks before commencing the role including reference sand DBS
• All volunteers are required to complete the Trusts Induction, mandatory and statutory training and relevant refreshers thereafter, along with any other relevant training that is required for the role.
• Toadhere to the Volunteer Handbook
• To maintain communication with the line manager and report any concerns immediately
• Healthand safety procedures must be adhered to at all times
• Toadhere to the data protection and confidentiality agreement
• Reimbursement of travel expenses (subject to our policy)
• Reference scan be provided after 6 months of volunteering

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile;

making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

What you will be doing

Under the direction of staff, to chat to patients who have expressed a wish to have a visit from the Therapy Dog

Act in a sensitive manner with due regard to patient privacy, cognitive abilities and cultural beliefs

Contribute to a safe, caring and stimulating environment

Maintain the confidentiality of patients, their carers, staff and volunteers

Know ones boundaries and if reached, seek further information and support from ward staff

• Must be registered under Pets as Therapy or Bales Buddies - Therapy Dogs Nationwide
• Must be over 18

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Discreet and non-judgemental
• Genuine interest in people
• Sensitive to others

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Early Careers and Volunteer Co-ordinator