Pet Encounter Therapy | Hamilton / Burlington SPCA

Pet Encounter Therapy (P.E.T.) is a program of animal-assisted activities that brightens the day of residents in nursing homes, retirement homes, adult day care facilities, as well as hospital patients and students in special needs classes. The program increases the recovery rate of patients and successfully assists with a variety of physical, physiological and psychosocial impairments.

In 2010 we averaged 55 visits a month, touching the lives of more than 13,000 people at 36 different facilities in the Hamilton and Burlington area.

Benefits of Pet Encounter Therapy

Increased mobility from touching and petting
Lowered blood pressure/reduced stress from the non-judgmental relationship
Increased self-esteem
Sensory stimuli of touch
Decreased anxiety, depression and loneliness
Increased social interaction
Memory stimulation through conversation and interaction between animal and handler

Bring the benefits of P.E.T. to your organization

Chances are your clients, students, patients and residents would love the opportunity to interact with our therapy animals, realizing social, emotional, mental and physical benefits at the same time. To get your facility or school on our visit schedule, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Want to be a P.E.T. volunteer?

P.E.T. depends on the dedication of volunteer handlers and their animals. If you and your pet are an amazing team, we’d love you to join the P.E.T. team.

Dogs and cats must be at least one year of age, spayed or neutered, up-to-date with vaccinations, and travel well in cars. They must be calm and friendly (with both people and other animals) and comfortable in new situations. To determine if your pet may suitable, download our expected behaviour checklist.

Handlers must enjoy interacting with individuals of all ages and abilities, be willing to give at least a six-month commitment of at least three hours, twice a month.

All pets and handlers must undergo an assessment for suitability. Download a copy of our therapy dog and handler test.

For more information, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .