Outreach –-

Part of the rewards of directing a pet therapy program comes from helping other communities provide the same benefits from contacts with pets to their elderly and/or infirm. The wheel should not have to be invented over and over again. After the first shot, it may be a matter of improving, adapting, adjusting -- or in a few cases, "Hey! This is just right for us, let's roll with it." Succeeding efforts to move forward should be based on the experience of others as well as your own. When faced with a new and challenging task, you may ask, "How will I do this?" then "How did others do it?"

Development of Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale began in 1990 and is continuing to the present time. Through 2008, 2,475 potential volunteers have been interviewed by telephone, 1,250 volunteer-pet teams have been evaluated, and 1,140 have served as active volunteers. The result has been 38,100 volunteer hours to make 12,700 one-hour visits or 425,000 meaningful contacts. That means that 425,000 times, one of the Pets on Wheels volunteers walked up to a resident or patient of a nursing home or hospital and said, "Hi! Would you like to see my dog?" Tim and Tina Selling's Truman, shown above, is sharing some welcome love. Nearly every facet of the procedures has undergone change and improvement, adjustment, expansion, or simplification. The computer has facilitated such changes. It has been a taskmaster, always there, always inviting one to sit, call up the file, make improvements, rename, print, and save. As the word has gotten around, individuals have written or called for help in establishing pet-visitation therapy programs in their communities. After numerous times of searching for the right papers, forms, and other material, in year 2000 it was decided to assemble 10 years of effort into one piece (a tome, actually, two volumes) -- always ready for the next inquiry.

This is our OUTREACH, and we are honored if others find the material helpful. Also, successors in Scottsdale may be benefited by the tracks which have been laid. Remember, this is just one way of doing the job. Each person, or group, must consider their own skills, experience, and resources to accomplish the desired end. The computer offers many advantages, but certainly, starting with one or two health care centers and 10 to 20 volunteers can be done without a computer -- for example: 4 x 6 index cards for records and sorting and a few extra volunteers for typing will work.

The material in the book is offered, to be used as is, revised, adopted, adapted, or simply to provide thought starters to anyone sincerely interested in using human-animal bond principles and good management procedures to enhance the lives of those socially isolated in health care centers. Whereas, the care center staffs attempt to keep residents comfortable and occupied, volunteer efforts bringing pets, music, or other interests onto the scene, provide that extra something to brighten the days for these individuals who are now out of touch with the lives they used to have. Visiting with pets is great; organizing others to visit with pets is better; but helping some to organize others to visit with pets provides the greatest reward.

Copies of the workbooks are being used by individuals or groups in 26 States as well as in 5 other countries, including Australia, Japan, and Switzerland. An email from Guam reads, "just wanted you to know how things were going here in Guam. We had our first pet visitation October 3, 2007. Things are moving along quickly, thanks to your books. Our web site is up (as you can tell, a lot of the content is from your flyer). So far we have 10 volunteer teams, and have more signing up on October 25. Thanks for all your help! Your books were the catalyst for our organization! Melody Ann Pyle, President"

What’s in the Books?

Below, you will find a complete listing of subjects, forms, and procedures contained in the book. The two volumes are secured with special spring clips, so pages may be removed easily for copying.

The cost is $75 plus $5 S&H. All profits are used to help carry out the Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale program. Send $80 to:

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• Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale, Inc.
• 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
• Scottsdale, AZ 85257-2857

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• E-mail: petsonwheels@aol.com
• Voice Mail: (602) 735-6886
• Fax: 480-488-1583
• Telephone: 480-488-2002

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A PET-VISITATION THERAPY PROGRAM

Starting One and Keeping it Going

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Letters, Forms, and Other Papers Developed to Initiate and Maintain a Program

A compilation of 254 pages, assembled in two volumes, to consider as thought starters in creating a program to enhance the lives of the elderly and/or infirm, using pets, mostly dogs, to provide unconditional affection and non-threatening relationships -- based upon 25 years of experience including 19 years establishing and directing Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale, Inc.

The detailed package includes discussions of each of the items listed, with samples of nearly every form and computer report. Computer applications used were the Lotus 123 or Excel, and Coral/WordPerfect or Word. Discussions are included for each subject in the compilation.

There are:

21 forms and sample listings

7 letters

7 instructions

6 news stories

6 accounting records

18 lists, tables, & computer reports

2 newsletters

1 press release

3 form letters

1 guidelines

13 procedures, information, criteria

3 proposals & recommendations

4 papers & presentations

4 poster-flyers

3 job descriptions

brochure & bookmark

4 samples of corporate papers

19 discussions of program

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SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE WORKBOOKS

Benefits of pet therapy

What is takes to start a program

To-do list

Articles of Incorporation

IRS recognition of 501(c)(3)

Organization chart

Bylaws

Public relations

Fund raising

History of development

Board of Directors

Advisory Council

Administrative process

Telephone interviews

Volunteer Guidelines

Health care centers

Volunteer's pledge

Pet health examinations

Veterinarians

Volunteer rosters

Volunteer meeting agenda

Brochure & bookmark

Display board

Newspaper articles & press releases

Evaluation & Training

Group Meetings of Applicants

Photographs of Volunteer-pet teams

Funding Requests

Bandannas & safety leads

Funding Requests

Volunteer handbook

Forms for visiting data

Volunteer recognition - awards

Rehabilitation

Homebound

Special children's schools

Adult Day care centers

Geropsychiatric unit

Suicide Among Older Adults

College lectures

Resident dogs in nursing homes

Children's pet safety project

Financial records

Computer applications

Salaried program coordinator

Forms

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Click on our e-mail: petsonwheels@aol.com