Community visits
Therapy dogs
Bringing joy and comfort to the sick, the lonely and anyone who could use a friendly visit.
Improving lives every day, the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program brings joy and comfort to the sick, the lonely, and anyone who could use a friendly visit.
Where we visit
- Hospitals
- Seniors' residences and care facilities
- Schools, universities and colleges
- Community centres and libraries
What a visit is like
- Talking with the volunteer and their dog
- Petting and cuddling the dog
- Unconditional love from the dog
- Doing or practising an activity with the dog there
The benefits
People report greater social engagement (talking, joining in and smiling more), relief from stress and a distraction from pain, comfort and calm, and better self-confidence and self-esteem.