Volunteer | Crisis Response Dogs

Volunteer with Crisis Response Dogs

Volunteering with Crisis Response Dogs is a specialist role that requires commitment, resilience, and a strong focus on safety and welfare.

Crisis Response Dogs recruits volunteer handlers and dogs through a carefully managed internal and external pathway to ensure that all deployments are trauma-informed, ethical, and appropriate for crisis settings.

Recruitment takes place through three routes:

1. Internal Recruitment

Volunteers and dogs may be recruited internally from within Cariad Pet Therapy, where teams already have experience delivering therapy dog visits across Wales.

Internal volunteers are considered for Crisis Response Dogs based on:

Experience in therapy dog work
Suitability for higher-intensity environments
Willingness to undertake additional training and assessment

2. Volunteers From Other Therapy Dog Organisations

We also welcome expressions of interest from volunteers and dogs who are already active with other recognised therapy dog organisations.

Applicants from external organisations must:

Meet our crisis-specific standards and assessment process
Complete additional training relevant to crisis response
Work within our safeguarding, welfare, and operational frameworks

Being registered with another organisation does not guarantee acceptance into the Crisis Response Dogs programme.

3. New Volunteers and Dogs

We accept applications from individuals and dogs new to therapy dog work, where there is clear potential and commitment.

New applicants must be willing to:

Complete full assessment and training
Build experience progressively
Accept that not all dogs are suited to crisis response work

Suitability is always based on welfare, temperament, and safety — not availability alone.

What We Look For in Volunteers

Volunteer Handlers

We look for people who:

Are calm, reliable, and emotionally resilient
Can follow boundaries, protocols, and safeguarding procedures
Are comfortable working alongside professionals
Can reflect on their own wellbeing and seek support when needed
Are open to feedback and ongoing learning

Crisis response work can be emotionally demanding, and we prioritise volunteer wellbeing as much as service delivery.

Dogs

Crisis Response Dogs must:

Be physically healthy and emotionally robust
Enjoy human interaction without seeking reassurance
Remain calm in unfamiliar or emotionally charged environments
Show no signs of stress, fear, or reactivity
Be able to disengage and rest when required

Not all excellent therapy dogs are suited to crisis response, and this is not a failure, it is about the right role for the right dog.

Training, Assessment, and Support

All Crisis Response Dog volunteers must complete:

Suitability assessments
Mental Health First Aid training
Crisis Response Dog training
Safeguarding training
Ongoing supervision and review

Dogs and handlers are continually monitored to ensure the role remains appropriate and safe.

Apply to Volunteer (External Applicants)

This application form is for:

Volunteers from other therapy dog organisations
Individuals and dogs new to therapy dog work

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. All applications are reviewed carefully with welfare and safeguarding as our priority.

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