Frequently Asked Questions for Potential Volunteers

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Find out here about the application process and what is expected of you as a volunteer by downloading the fact sheets before making a full application (You will need Acrobat Reader to view and print our fact sheets):

Factsheet 1 Application & Registration Process

Factsheet 2 Volunteer Agreement

 

How do I apply   (Click here to request an application pack)

Can any dog become a P.A.T. Dog?

My puppy is 4 months old and perfect, why do I have to wait until she is 9 months?

Why does my dog have to stay on a lead?

Why can’t I use a halti, my dog always walks on one of these?

Can I visit with more than one dog at a time?

Can my children come with me?

Can I take a friend with me when I visit?

Will my dog need any special training?

How often will I be expected to visit

How long should my visit last?

Can I visit a placement with children?

Will I get paid for my visits?

Why do I have to pay £19 every year to do voluntary work?

Why does it take 6-8 weeks to process my application?

Who can assess my dog? Why can’t my dog trainer do it?

What does the assessment involve?

Then what happens?

Q. How do I apply?   Top
A. Click here to request an application pack for a dog or cat

Q. Can any dog become a P.A.T. Dog?  Top
A. Yes, of course, P.A.T. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your dog is a pedigree, a cross-breed or a mongrel, if you can spare some time on a regular basis, and if you think your dog might be suitable, you are half-way there.

Q. My puppy is 4 months old and perfect, why do I have to wait until she is 9 months?  Top
A. Although many puppies appear to be suitable as a PAT dog, most of them go through a period of adolescence. We like our PAT dogs to have enjoyed their puppy hood before they are expected to work.

Q. Why does my dog have to stay on a lead?  Top
A. This is to ensure the safety of the people you visit. A loose dog could easily cause an accident.

Q. Why can’t I use a halti, my dog always walks on one of these?  Top
A. Part of our assessment is to ensure that the dog walks on a loose lead without any training aids.

Q. Can I visit with more than one dog at a time?  Top
A. You should only visit with one dog at a time in order that you can control your dog in any situation that should arise whilst visiting.

Q. Can my children come with me?  Top
A. Only if they are Junior Volunteers of the Charity.

Q. Can I take a friend with me when I visit?  Top
A. I am afraid not as all our visitors have references taken up on them before they can start visiting.

Q. Will my dog need any special training?  Top
A. No, although you must always keep your dog under control and on a lead. You yourself will be sent some helpful notes by the P.A.T. Dog office to assist you when you start visiting.

Q. How often will I be expected to visit?  Top
A. That depends on how much time you have available but we like our volunteers to visit regularly, as the people you visit really look forward to seeing you.

Q. How long should my visit last?  Top
A. There is no set time limit. It depends on the size of the establishment that you are visiting and the amount of time you spend with each client. Please bear in mind the ability of your dog as they do tend to get hot and tire quickly. Remember the dog should enjoy the visits too.

Q. Can I visit a placement with children?  Top
A. The majority of establishments requesting PAT dogs/cats to visit are from nursing/residential homes and hospitals. Requests to visit with children tend to be one off visits to summer plays schemes and school assemblies.

Q. Will I get paid for my visits?   Top
A. No. All P.A.T. Dog owners are volunteers who give their time free, as are the local P.A.T. Dog Co-ordinators. If volunteers wish to have travelling expenses re-imbursed, they should make this clear before visits begin as some hospitals have funds to meet such expenses.

Q. Why do I have to pay £19 every year to do voluntary work?   Top
A. The Charity must maintain a small staff. We manage the whole Charity with only 4 full time and 5 part time workers, unlike many other Charities who normally employ many more staff. Our staff are employed to provide help and give advice to the volunteer force, to encourage recruitment and to develop the reach, value and effectiveness of the Charity’s service. We must also take into account the cost of paper, envelopes, printing, legal costs, accountancy, insurance, assessment training courses, postage, telephone, newsletters and many other items, too many to list. The average cost to the Charity is £75 per volunteer per annum of which £19 is generously met by subscription from the volunteers themselves. Subscription Rates

Q. Why does it take 6-8 weeks to process my application?  Top
A. We often process packs much quicker than this but at some times of the year workloads are heavier than others. Delays can also be caused by referees not returning the completed forms very quickly.

Q. Who can assess my dog? Why can’t my dog trainer do it?   Top
A. Dogs can be assessed either by one of our trained assessors or by a vet. This is because we need to ensure that dogs are assessed in a consistent way.

Q. What does the assessment  involve?   Top
A. The person carrying out the assessment will check that your dog is sociable and friendly without being over-boisterous. Your dog should be calm and gentle when being groomed or stroked, without mouthing you or the grooming equipment. The examiner will also want to see how your dog reacts to a sudden noise – such as a walking stick falling to the floor. It is normal for a dog to back away, but is he confident enough to approach again readily if asked to do so?

Q. Then what happens?   Top
A. Your completed application should be returned to the registration office with the following enclosed:-

If your registration is successful, you will be sent a letter giving details of your local coordinator, ID tag, certificate for your pet. hand book and car sticker.

When you are ready to start visiting, you should contact your coordinator who will help find you somewhere to visit.