Facility Information
Why Delta Therapy Dogs?
Have you been considering having an animal visit the residents in your facility. Dogs in animal assisted activity or in animal assisted therapy can have significant improvements in the recipients’ health and wellbeing. Some of the benefits may include:
- patient- therapist interaction
- staff-animal interaction
- increased muscle strength and range of motion
- pain management
- reduction of blood pressure and heart rate
- greater self-esteem and emotional well-being
- improved patient independence
- improved social interactions
- creating a home-like environment and
- a positive effect on the community
What's so special about Delta Therapy teams?
The Delta-accredited dog has undergone strict temperament testing to determine its suitability for visiting aged care facilities. The volunteer has completed a training seminar where topics such as occupational health and safety, facility procedures and policies, human health and communication as well as animal behaviour and training have been presented. Our volunteer training has a strong emphasis on dignity and privacy issues as well as independence and choice. The volunteer has been cleared by a police (criminal record) check which is conducted for Delta by the Australian Federal Police. As you know this clearance is now a legal requirement for any volunteer who visits residents in aged care.
What do we provide?
Our Delta dogs provide an excellent source of diversional therapy. They can also assist with individual residents’ therapy programs in areas such as physical or intellectual maintenance or rehabilitation, speech and emotional well being. The presence of a companion animal reduces stress and increases interactivity and humour. There is often an increase in friendly interaction between residents, visitors and staff as the Therapy Dog team provides a catalyst for communication and interaction between people. From management’s perspective there is also the very practical benefit of addressing several of the criteria required to provide for a residents lifestyle. Regular visits cover the areas of independence, leisure interests and activities, cultural and spiritual life and choice and decision making.
What is the cost?
As a non-profit organisation we rely heavily on local sponsorships, donations from the public and donations from participating facilities to make this service available. You should be aware that we ask the facilities that participate in the Therapy Dogs Program to enter a modest planned giving agreement with the Society. In that agreement you are asked to undertake to support the Program generally by donating $500 annually to Delta for each Therapy Dog team visiting your facility. Our teams make a regular weekly visit to your facility for between 1 hour - 1/2 hours session. We try were possible to provide a minimum of 35 visits in the year.
We must stress that this donation is not related to the services of the volunteer who is defined in all agreements as “a person accredited to participate in the Program who receives no remuneration for that participation”. The donation is paid directly to Delta Society Australia (all donations over $2.00 are tax deductible) and used specifically for the ongoing support and expansion of the Delta Therapy Dogs Program.
How do I join?
Click here to complete the online application form. Once we receive your application, the local co-ordinator will contact you to discuss your application.
