PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Traveling can create stress and anxieties at airports, and the RDM Compassionate Canines Certified Therapy Dog Program is an opportunity to provide an overall enhanced customer experience, providing stress relief and comfort to passengers through interaction with pets.
Compassionate Canines Certified Therapy Dog Teams will be present in the ticketing, baggage, and gate areas of our terminal, visiting passengers awaiting flights and providing comfort, as well as airport information.
The handlers and dogs are an excellent addition to the RDM customer service team. Passengers love seeing warm, wet noses and wagging tails that create a friendly, “PAWSitive” experience at RDM!
Certification and Training
Volunteers wishing to apply must have at least one year of experience working with a recognized certified therapy dog organization. The dogs must be privately owned and be at least two years old.
Compassionate Canines of Central Oregon supports, coordinates, and welcomes the following nationally recognized therapy dog organizations:
All handlers and dogs must be registered with a national organization that registers, insures, and supports members who are involved in volunteer animal-assisted activities. These activities include visits to hospitals, special needs centers, schools, nursing homes, and airports to name a few.
Each Compassionate Canines Certified Therapy Dog Team must go through an initial meet and greet and walk-through at RDM to make sure they are a good fit. The teams also receive in-terminal training to learn about the airport and how to assist passengers. Compassionate Canines Certified Therapy Dog Handlers will also have an Airport ID badge for security purposes.
Roles of Compassionate Canines Certified Therapy Dog Teams
Hours of Operation
Each dog and handler work one to two weekly shifts of two hours at RDM
For More Information Contact:
Sue Dolezal--The Alliance of Therapy Dogs at stdpoodles@outlook.com or visit www.therapydogs.com
Erinn Shaw- RDM Admin at erinn.shaw@flyrdm.com
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