volunteer f.a.q.

1. How many volunteers are in PALS?
2. How can I become a PALS volunteer?
3. How many screenings do you do each year?
4. Are there any costs involved?
5. Do you provide training?
6. Do I need a pet?
7. Do I require any types of security clearances?
8. What is the time commitment?
9. I work full time. Can I visit in the evening?
10. If I can't make a visit can my spouse act as a substitute?
11. Can my daughter and I volunteer together?
12. But seniors love children!
13. I am an American temporarily living in Canada. My spouse is working for a company here and I would like to volunteer during the day.
14. Do volunteers visit one on one or in a group?
15. How many facilities does PALS visit?
16. Will I be visiting the same place each time?
17. Can I ask to be placed at the Children's Hospital?
18. Can I make additional visits?
19. What other types of volunteering can I do with my pet?
20. Where do you get your funding?

1. How many volunteers are in PALS?

PALS currently has over 450 human volunteers and their pets who visit. In addition there are approximately 100 volunteers who do not visit but donate their time in other areas such as fund raising.

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2. How can I become a PALS volunteer?

The first step is filling out a two part application. One part for you, one part for your pet. The entire intake process is summarized under the tab "How to Volunteer-Pals Intake Process"

Volunteer Application Form (one per person)

Dog Application Form (one per pet)

Cat Application Form (one per pet)

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3.How many screenings do you do each year?

PALS does does two intake sessions each year. Each intake session generally has two screening dates within it's time period. The first intake is in January/March and the second intake is in October/November of each year. Please be aware that we take a break during the summer months so, if you send your application to us after April, you will have to be patient until the fall.

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4. Are there any costs involved?

PALS requires that all volunteers hold a current membership. The annual cost of this is $20.00 for single and $30.00 for family.

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5. Do you provide training?

Following a successful pet screening, we ask that you attend one of our orientations. During the orientation you will learn tips on communicating with residents, aspects of dementia, proper control of your pet and other helpful information. In addition to our orientation, your placement facility may require that you also attend one of their orientations. As a final step, your team leader will be available to assist you in acclimatizing to your placement facility.

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6. Do I need a pet?

Sorry, if you wish to visit you will have to either own a pet or borrow one. However, PALS does have some volunteer opportunities for people who do not have a pet. These include interviewing, office help, events coordination, and fund-raising work.

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7. Do I require any types of security clearances?

All PALS volunteers are required by Alberta law to complete a police security clearance. For volunteers who live within the city of Calgary, our office will supply you with a letter which you must present to the Calgary Police service. There you will be required to complete the necessary forms to submit two pieces of identification. Volunteers who reside outside of the city will be required to go to their nearest RCMP detachment to complete their security clearance. The completed clearance will be sent to you. You are then required to submit it to the PALS office. We ask that you fax it to us before you mail the original form to the office. Volunteers who have any criminal convictions will not be accepted into the program.

Those volunteers who will be visiting children must, in addition to the police security clearance, complete a child welfare check. Again, our office has the forms but, as Social Services will only release the information directly to the applicant, you are responsible for submitting the completed forms and returning the completed clearance to the PALS office.

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8. What is the time commitment?

PALS volunteers are asked to make a commitment of two one hour visits per month. If you wish to volunteer more visiting time than that, you are welcome to do so.

In addition, volunteers must volunteer for one fund raising activity during the year.

You are expected to attend your regularly scheduled visits unless there is a very good reason for being away (vacation, illness, work requirements).

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9. I work full time. Can I visit in the evening?

PALS has scheduled visits Monday through Thursday both day and evening. We also have Saturday morning visits. If you are very limited in when and where you can visit, please contact the PALS office before proceeding with your application.

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10. If I can't make a visit can my spouse act as a substitute?

Only if your spouse, friend or family member has completed all requirements including being screened with the animal.

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11. Can my daughter and I volunteer together?

Certainly, but only if your child is over 16 years of age.

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12. But seniors love children!

Taking children along on a PALS visit may seem like a wonderful idea, but for liability reasons, PALS cannot allow our volunteers to take children with them on visits. In addition, not all things that happen in facilities are appropriate for young eyes.

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13. I am an American temporarily living in Canada. My spouse is working for a company here and I would like to volunteer during the day.

To legally work or volunteer in Canada you must have a work visa, be a landed immigrant or have Canadian Citizenship. If you do not have the proper documentation, you run the risk of being deported.

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14. Do volunteers visit one on one or in a group?

Each facility is different and the type of visit done is based on choices made by the Recreation Therapist in each facility. Group visits facilitate conversation and interaction between the residents but are not always appropriate for some residents who may find it difficult to be conversational or socially active. There has been a noticeable trend away from group visits and a movement towards one-on-one or group/one-on-one visits.

When PALS started visiting, people became a certain age and then almost automatically went into a "home". Now seniors are remaining in their own homes and, only when safety becomes a factor, are they placed in a facility. Hence, many of the residents we see now have severe difficulty with their mobility or late stage dementia. These residents benefit most from one-on-one visits. They are quiet, more focused and our pets are the ones that have to be mobile. An added benefit to one-on-one is the relationship that develops between pet, resident and volunteer which, in itself, is a wonderful gift.

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15.How many facilities does PALS visit?

PALS currently visits nearly 50 facilities. Our clients are 75% seniors, 5% adults and 20% children and teenagers.

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16.Will I be visiting the same place each time?

PALS finds that regular visits to one facility fosters bonding between residents and you and your pet. We have observed on many occasions dogs who literally lead their owners to "favorite" residents and most of our pets become very excited when they get within a certain distance of their facility. It is almost as if the pets know the routine and enjoy it.

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17. Can I ask to be placed at the Children's Hospital?

If you are only interested in visiting the Children’s Hospital, you will be disappointed to learn that the wait will be at least two years. Priority is given to volunteers who, during their wait, have been actively visiting in another facility on an extremely regular basis.

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18. Can I make additional visits?

Many of our volunteers do commit to making additional visits. However, we ask that initially new volunteers honor their commitment of two visits per month. If, after a few months, you find that you would like to increase your visiting, you can contact the PALS office and ask for an additional placement.

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19. What other types of volunteering can I do with my pet?

During the year PALS has many opportunities for volunteers to do additional activities with their pets. These include special visits and community events.

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20.Where do you get your funding?

PALS is currently funded completely by private and corporate donations and by fundraising events such as raffles, casinos, and other fundraising activities. PALS also receives funds from the United Way Donor's Choice Program. The PALS program is provided free to the clients and facilities we serve.

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Copyright © PALS Pet Access League Society. All rights reserved.
Revised: July 23, 2007.