Crisis Response Dog Volunteer Training

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Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA Wales Accredited, 12 hours)

Volunteers will be able to:

• Recognise common mental health difficulties and crisis presentations

• Respond appropriately to mental health distress

• Apply MHFA action plans within a non-clinical role

• Signpost and escalate to appropriate professional support

• Understand the limits of their role as a Mental Health First Aider

 

Emotional First Aid for Crisis Response Settings

Volunteers will be able to:

• Provide calm, compassionate support during emotional distress

• Use presence, pacing, and non-verbal communication effectively

• Avoid fixing, minimising, or escalating emotions

• Support emotional regulation without giving advice

 

Safeguarding Adults and Children in Crisis Contexts

Volunteers will be able to:

• Define safeguarding within crisis response dog work

• Recognise indicators of abuse, neglect, or exploitation

• Respond appropriately to disclosures

• Understand confidentiality limits

• Escalate concerns using agreed procedures

 

Introduction to Crisis Response Dogs: Role, Ethics, and Professional Limits

Volunteers will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of crisis response dog visits

• Understand ethical responsibilities to people and dogs

• Maintain role clarity and boundaries

• Recognise when to disengage or refer

• Represent the organisation professionally

 

Trauma-Informed Practice for Crisis Response Dog Visits (Non-Clinical)

Volunteers will be able to:

• Understand how trauma may affect behaviour

• Apply principles of safety, choice, and predictability

• Avoid re-traumatisation

• Maintain non-clinical boundaries

 

Managing Emotional Transference Toward the Dog in Crisis Situations

Volunteers will be able to:

• Recognise emotional transference toward the dog

• Respond with empathy while preventing dependency

• Use appropriate language to reframe support

• End interactions ethically

• Protect dog welfare

 

Understanding Stress Exposure in Crisis Response Dogs

Volunteers will be able to:

• Understand how dogs absorb stress

• Recognise cumulative and delayed stress

• Identify stressors during deployments

• Implement stress-reduction and recovery strategies

• Advocate for dog welfare

 

Canine Stress, Consent, and Welfare in Crisis Environments

Volunteers will be able to:

• Identify early signs of canine stress

• Understand and respect canine consent

• Make welfare-led decisions

• End interactions before stress escalates

• Use language that protects dog welfare

 

Volunteer Conduct, Professional Boundaries, and Confidentiality

Volunteers will be able to:

• Demonstrate appropriate professional conduct

• Maintain emotional and practical boundaries

• Understand confidentiality responsibilities

• Respond to boundary challenges

• Escalate concerns appropriately

 

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Sensitivity in Crisis Response Dog Work

Volunteers will be able to:

• Recognise cultural, religious, and individual differences

• Avoid assumptions and stereotyping

• Respect refusal or hesitation

• Use inclusive language

• Adapt approaches to ensure dignity and safety

 

Dynamic Risk Assessment for Crisis Response Dog Deployments

Volunteers will be able to:

• Conduct dynamic risk assessments

• Identify risks to people, dogs, and volunteers

• Adjust actions as situations change

• Know when to withdraw or seek support

• Prioritise safety

 

Recognising Signs of Stress in Dogs and Handlers

Volunteers will be able to:

• Identify stress in dogs and handlers

• Understand handler-dog stress transfer

• Take early action to reduce stress

• Use self-regulation strategies

• Seek support when needed

 

Crisis Response Dog Deployment Debrief: Team Reflection

Volunteers will be able to:

• Reflect on deployments constructively

• Identify learning and welfare concerns

• Contribute to service improvement

• Engage in structured debriefing

• Support team wellbeing

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Crisis Response Dog Handler Debrief and Welfare Review

Volunteers will be able to:

• Assess dog wellbeing post-deployment

• Identify delayed or cumulative stress

• Implement recovery strategies

• Record welfare concerns accurately

• Decide when rest or review is needed

 

Memorandum of Understanding: Roles, Responsibilities, and Expectations

Volunteers will be able to:

• Understand organisational expectations

• Clarify roles and responsibilities

• Work within partnership agreements

• Recognise legal and ethical obligations

• Operate within agreed frameworks