TOUCH Program

In 1989, Support Dogs, Inc. began a pet assisted therapy program to meet increasing requests from local healthcare professionals. The TOUCH (Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers) Program certifies volunteers and their own dogs to visit hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, and various other healthcare facilities. Since its start, the TOUCH Program has certified over 850 volunteer teams, with approximately 240 currently doing visitations.

Unlike the service program , the TOUCH Program is not breed specific. The dogs are accepted based on their temperament and their willingness to be touched. Currently, the TOUCH Program has dogs ranging from teacup breeds, to Great Danes, Bull Mastiffs, and all breeds, mixes, and sizes in between.

In order to be considered for a TOUCH Team, the following requirements must be met:

• dog must be between the ages of 1 1/2 and 10 years of age
• handler must be 18 years of age or older
• completed at least 6 weeks of a basic adult dog obedience class
• you must have had the dog in your possession for one or more years
• not received any type of protection training
• complete a temperament evaluation

Once the evaluation is completed, the handler and dog must complete a 12-week certification course. During this course, the TOUCH Team is taught advanced obedience, as well as how to work around various hospital equipment, and different patient scenarios.

Once the course is complete, the TOUCH team is designated a rank. The TOUCH Team can visit those facilities for which they are ranked. Currently, the TOUCH Program has visitation agreements with over 60 sites in the St. Louis Metropolitan area and serves approximately 2200 patients and residents a month.

The total cost to the volunteer handler is a $120 donation to Support Dogs, Inc., which covers the costs of the harness, identification tags, paperwork and lessons taught in class.

To fill out and submit an application to be a TOUCH Team, click here.

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