“For many patients, a visit from a therapy dog can brighten an otherwise difficult day,” said Staci Shaffer, MA, Manager of Volunteer Services at CGH. “We’re always excited to welcome new teams who want to share that gift with others.”
The first step in becoming a CGH Therapy Dog volunteer is the completion of an application. You must be 18 or older, and your dog should reliably respond to the commands sit, down, stay, and come, with a single verbal command and without the use of treats. Therapy dogs must also be capable of walking with a loose leash (no pulling); get along with other dogs; enjoy the company of people; current on all vaccinations.
Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in Temperament Testing. Upcoming testing dates are scheduled for Monday, August 3, and Thursday, August 20, 2026,(attendance is only required for one of these dates. Dogs that pass Temperament Testing will advance to the required two-day training, on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29.
During training, participants will take part in mock and trainer-supervised patient visits, while learning hospital policies and infection control practices, to prepare them for hospital visits.
To apply, visit www.cghmc.com/dogs. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, July 30, to participate in the August 3 Temperament Testing, or by Tuesday, August 18, for the August 20 session. Walk-in applicants will NOT be accepted on the day of Temperament Testing.