Join our amazing volunteer community

Many residents had pets prior to moving into our facility and miss the companionship provided by animals. You will be enabling our residents to re-experience the joy that physical contact with animals can bring when you visit them with your own pet.

Requirements for this Role:

This role would suit someone with the following qualities

• Good communication and listening skills
• Commitment and reliability
• Friendly, understanding and patient nature
• A suitable, well-cared-for and well-behaved pet that will not jump, bite or scratch when petted.

Mandatory requirements for volunteers in Aged care setting: 

• National Police clearance, to be renewed every three years
• Signed statutory declaration and confidentiality agreement.
• Evidence of current influenza vaccination
• Evidence of current COVID19 vaccination (dose 1 & 2)

Benefits to you

• An opportunity to enrich someone’s life. Residents really appreciate the time you and your pet spend with them.
• Training and ongoing support provided

• All Pet visits volunteers  will receive site orientation, manual handling and infection control.

• Flexible hours

What the role involves:

You and your pet will visit residents in their rooms and in living areas. You will encourage residents to meet your pet and interact with them as they feel comfortable. Residents will enjoy reminiscing about their own pets and their experiences with animals.

Your pet must remain under your control at all times, either on a lead or in a cage, while visiting our residents. Your pet can only visit our residents if it is clean and in good health.  If you are comfortable with residents feeding your pet treats, you can bring in your own. Some of our residents are confused and may not understand the treat is not for them – close supervision will be required at these times.

The volunteer coordinator will let you know of any residents who prefer not to have contact with animals.