Crisis Response Dog Volunteer Training​​

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All Crisis Response Dog Volunteers are invited to receive the following 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

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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

 

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

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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

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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

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The BARC™ Debrief Framework

Volunteers are trained to apply the The BARC™ Debrief Framework (Breathe, Assess, Reflect, Continue) following every deployment to ensure structured reflection and welfare monitoring.

Volunteers will be able to:

• Engage in staged, structured debriefing after deployment

• Reflect constructively and contribute to service improvement

• Assess handler and dog wellbeing, including signs of cumulative stress

• Record operational and welfare observations appropriately

• Implement recovery strategies and determine when rest or review is required

 

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

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Recognising and Managing Handler Stress

Recognise how exposure to distressing environments can impact their own emotional and physiological wellbeing.

Volunteers will be able to:

• Recognise early indicators of stress in themselves following deployment

• Understand how handler stress can influence dog behaviour and wellbeing

• Take proactive steps to prevent escalation or cumulative impact

• Apply practical self-regulation and grounding strategies

• Seek timely support through the BARC™ debrief process or wider support network

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Dynamic Risk Assessment for Crisis Response Dog Deployments

Staying alert, adaptable, and safety-focused in changing environments.

Volunteers will be able to:

• Conduct dynamic risk assessments during deployments

• Identify risks to people, dogs, and volunteers

• Adapt actions and boundaries as situations evolve

• Recognise when to pause, withdraw, or seek additional support

• Prioritise safety and welfare at all times

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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

 

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

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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