Pet Therapy Program

SCAR Pet Therapy Program

At Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR), we are dedicated to enriching lives through the profound connection between humans and animals. Our Pet Therapy Program is designed to bring joy, comfort, and companionship to those in need within our community by utilising the unique abilities of trained, friendly dogs.

About the Program

The Pet Therapy Program at SCAR involves visits from our specially trained therapy dogs to various locations, including nursing homes, schools, and other community centres.

These visits aim to alleviate loneliness, provide emotional support, and foster a sense of well-being among individuals who may be facing challenging circumstances.

Our pet therapy program also helps to support facility staff during our visits and offers comfort to visiting loved ones of patients and residents who may also need a moment of connection.

Benefits of Pet Therapy

Research has shown that interactions with animals can have numerous physical, emotional, and psychological benefits.

Our Pet Therapy Program is designed to:

  • Reduce Loneliness – Regular visits from our therapy dogs offer companionship and help mitigate feelings of isolation, particularly among the elderly in nursing homes.
  • Enhance Emotional Well-Being – The unconditional love and affection from our therapy dogs can provide a significant emotional boost, offering comfort and joy to those who need it most.
  • Improve Mental Health: – Engaging with therapy dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, promoting overall mental health and well-being.
  • Support Social Interaction – Visits from our therapy dogs encourage social interaction, fostering a sense of community and connectedness among participants.

How the Programs Works

Our therapy dogs undergo extensive training to ensure they are well-behaved, friendly, and responsive to the needs of the individuals they visit. The program operates as follows:

  • Scheduled Visits – We coordinate regular visits to nursing homes, schools, and other community locations. Each visit is carefully planned to ensure a positive experience for both the therapy dogs and the individuals they interact with.
  • Personalised Interactions – Our volunteers work closely with the staff at each location to tailor the visits to the specific needs and preferences of the participants, ensuring meaningful and enjoyable interactions.
  • Continuous Support – The Pet Therapy Program is an ongoing initiative, providing continuous support and companionship to those who benefit from our therapy dog visits.

Contact Us

For more information about the SCAR Pet Therapy Program or to get involved, please get in touch below.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in our community through the healing power of pet therapy!

Support Our Work

Get Involved

SCAR’s Pet Therapy Program relies on the dedication and compassion of our volunteers and the generosity of our supporters. Here are some ways you can get involved:

Join our team of volunteers and help us bring the joy of pet therapy to more individuals in need.

Your contributions help us sustain and expand the Pet Therapy Program, allowing us to reach more people and make a greater impact.

If you represent a nursing home, school, or community centre interested in hosting our therapy dogs, we would love to collaborate with you.

Kennel Sponsorship Contact

Paws At Work Registration Form

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the following registration form, and we will add you to our waitlist to be contacted for the next available round of dates.
Group Organiser's Name *
*50% fee for cancellations within 14 days of your booking. 100% fee for cancellations within 7 days of your booking.

Corporate Volunteering Registration Form

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the following registration form, and we will contact you to discuss availability and make your team’s booking.
Group Organiser's Name *
Availability *
Acknowledgement
*Due to the physical nature of working in the shelter, volunteer roles may involve significant amounts of manual handling, and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Manual handling includes sustaining repetitive movements of lifting/bending, pushing/pulling, twisting/turning and walking for extended periods of time. Some heavy lifting up to 15kg may be required.
Details for Tax Invoice & Payment

Please make sure the following details are correct.
I acknowledge that my organisation will receive an invoice for a financial contribution of a minimum of $800 (inc GST) or more, depending on the number of people who are booked in. I understand payment is within 14 day payment terms for hosting our volunteers.
I acknowledge the cancellation policy*
*50% fee for cancellations within 14 days of your booking. 100% fee for cancellations within 7 days of your booking.
Contact Name For Invoice *

Volunteer Application

"Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Second Chance Animal Rescue. Unfortunately, our volunteer applications are currently closed. Please check back later for future opportunities to join our team and make a difference!"

Date Of Birth
Is your tetanus vaccination up to date? *
Are you able to lift 10kgs comfortably and without injury?
Are you able to walk 3 kilometers comfortably and without injury?
Volunteering in the shelter is physically demanding, do you have any physical limitations that may prevent you from carrying out tasks, including, but not limited to: lifting, walking, reaching, writing, reading, cleaning?
Do you have a Working With Children Check?
Drag & Drop your Working With Children's CheckAccepted File Type PDF, JPG, PNG - Max Size 3MB
Do you have any prior convictions for fraud or offences involving animals or any other convictions other than minor traffic offences? (Australia or overseas)
Person to Notify in Case of Emergency
Availability

What days/hours do you have available for your volunteer commitment? Please note we ask for a minimum 6 month commitment on a weekly or fortnightly basis for the first three months.
How often are you available?
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday/Sunday
Are you available to work on public holidays?
Can you provide a minimum of 6 months commitment?
Volunteer Experience
Have you been involved with Second Chance Animal Rescue previously?
Are you currently a student at a Tafe/College/University?
Are you seeking work placement through Second Chance Animal Rescue as part of your studies?
Are you interested in assisting with volunteering your time and vehicle to drive critters and items for SCAR?
Interested?
Do you have access to a reliable vehicle?
Do you have a current Victorian Licence?
Agreement

Terms and Conditions *

Share Your Story

Tell Us Your Story:
Please upload any photos you wish to share with us of your pet:
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Are you happy for us to share your words and images across our socials?
Second Chance Animal Rescue Volunteer Application

Personal Information

Please specify I.D type
Proof of current tetanus vaccination is required
Are you able to lift 10kgs comfortably and without injury?
Are you able to walk 3 kilometers comfortably and without injury?
Volunteering in the shelter is physically demanding, do you have any physical limitations that may prevent you from carrying out tasks, including, but not limited to: lifting, walking, reaching, writing, reading, cleaning?

Person to Notify in Case of Emergency

Availability

What days/hours do you have available for your volunteer commitment? Please note we ask for a minimum 3 month commitment on a weekly or fortnightly basis for the first three months.

Volunteer Experience

Are you interested in assisting with volunteering your time and vehicle to drive critters and items for SCAR?

Interested?
Do you have access to a reliable vehicle?
Do you have a current Victorian Licence?

Agreement

Corporate Volunteering Registration Form

Corporate Volunteering Registration Form

We are currently taking bookings for our Corporate Volunteering Program.

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the registration form below, and we will call you to discuss availability and make your team’s booking.

Group Organiser's Name
Group Organiser's Name
First Name
Last Name
I.e: Your preferred month to volunteer
Acknowledgement
*Due to the physical nature of working in the shelter, volunteer roles may involve significant amounts of manual handling, and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Manual handling includes sustaining repetitive movements of lifting/bending, pushing/pulling, twisting/turning and walking for extended periods of time. Some heavy lifting up to 15kg may be required.

Details for Tax Invoice & Payment

Please make sure the following details are correct.

I acknowledge that my organisation will receive an invoice for a financial contribution of $800 (inc GST) or more, depending on the number of people who are booked in. I understand payment is within 14 day payment terms for hosting our volunteers.
I acknowledge the cancellation policy*
*50% fee for cancellations within 14 days of your booking. 100% fee for cancellations within 7 days of your booking. Please refer to full cancellation policy above for more information.
Contact Name For Invoice
Contact Name For Invoice
First Name
Last Name
Organisation's Address to send Invoice To
Surrender Questionnaire
This series of questions is for us at Second Chance Animal Rescue to better understand the pet you intend to surrender. Please provide all the detail you can as this helps us determine what support we can provide you at this difficult time.
* Indicates required question

Type of Animal *
Is your pet desexed? *
What was your reason for surrender? *
For Dogs Only
How does your dog respond to people?
How does your dog respond to other dogs?
Does your dog display any behaviour issues such as:
For Cats Only
How does your cat respond to familiar people?
Does your cat get along with other animals?
Would you be interested in learning about our Owner Assisted program where you would be able to find a home for your pet whilst we list them for adoption for you?
Is the animal you are surrendering microchipped in your name?
Are you in the position to assist with veterinary or administrative costs to prepare your animal for adoption?
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Sponsorship Contact

How you’d like to sponsor

Employment Application

Job Title - Pet Therapy Program
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Paws at Work Contact

Vet Contact

Training Team Contact

APPLICATION FORM

This form will assist our staff to determine if your pet may be suitable for our Owner Assisted Rehoming Program. Your honest answers are necessary to ensure that we can help. Thank you!
About Your Pet
Has your pet shown any of the following behaviours?
Drag & Drop or Click to upload a photo of your petAccepted File Type jpg, png - Max Size 3MB