Volunteer
PAWS Houston is currently accepting applications for responsible dedicated volunteers to join their Personal Pet Hospital Visitation team and their Outreach and Marketing team. Please submit the form below and our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you soon.
PAWS Houston has worked with all major hospitals in the Texas Medical Center for 17 years providing a different kind of patient care. The visit from the patient's pet (dog or cat) creates incredible moments. Hands reach out to touch a much loved dog, a cat curls up contently and for a little while and the owner is content too. The time together with these family members can mean so much. The healing power of these visits is undeniable, Each visit to a patient makes a difference with their recovery process. The "Personal Pet Visitation Program" was designed by PAWS Houston and the hospital visits illicit a response, help with depression and many times for the patient to have closure at the end of life.
PAWS Houston has worked with all major hospitals in the Texas Medical Center for 17 years providing a different kind of patient care. The visit from the patient's pet (dog or cat) creates incredible moments. Hands reach out to touch a much loved dog, a cat curls up contently and for a little while and the owner is content too. The time together with these family members can mean so much. The healing power of these visits is undeniable, Each visit to a patient makes a difference with their recovery process. The "Personal Pet Visitation Program" was designed by PAWS Houston and the hospital visits illicit a response, help with depression and many times for the patient to have closure at the end of life.
"PAWS is a passion" for each of us that volunteers. Volunteers see on each hospital visit, the impact that bringing the patients pet to them has comforting and helping them deal with their diagnosis and being in the hospital.
PAWS would love to have you become involved. Training would be done on site at the hospitals. We would "buddy" you with a veteran volunteer until you felt comfortable facilitating a visit on your own. We do not have a set schedule for visits. Our promise to the hospitals is that when we receive a call from the hospitals, we will facilitate a visit within 24 hours. Initial contact to volunteers is done through text.
PAWS would love to have you become involved. Training would be done on site at the hospitals. We would "buddy" you with a veteran volunteer until you felt comfortable facilitating a visit on your own. We do not have a set schedule for visits. Our promise to the hospitals is that when we receive a call from the hospitals, we will facilitate a visit within 24 hours. Initial contact to volunteers is done through text.
PET VISITATION POLICY
- PAWS is allowed in all areas of the Hospital with the exception of the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
- A majority of the visits facilitated are to CCU's
- The usual duration of a visit is limited to one hour
- Each hospital has a specific meeting location (see below)
- The Volunteer will evaluate pet looking for open wounds, cleanliness and any distress of the pet. If the pets exhibits any of these, the visit will be denied.
- After evaluation volunteer escorts family and pet to the patient.
- Visit is private for family with volunteer securing the door to the room and staying in the area to alert anyone who is entering a room that a visitation is in progress
- Dogs are to be on leases and cats in crates
- The Hospital will call providing patient's name and verifying that a doctors order is in the chart
- Family will contact PAWS Houston to provide vet records on the pet
- A convenient time will be established and a volunteer will be secured
- Visit will be completed within 24-48 hours after initial call
- Day of the visit PAWS will confirm visit with family
Volunteer Form (You must be 18 or over to volunteer)
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER