Canine Corps

"All your dog visits made me SO happy. They were something to look forward to and helped me to get better. They were the best medicine possible. Thank you forever." - Betty Butler

volunteer posing with dog The BCH Canine Corps has been delivering smiles to patients, visitors and staff at Boulder Community Health since 2000.

Some 40 pet therapy teams currently visit our facilities at Foothills Hospital and campus and the Tebo Family Medical Pavilion (The Cancer Center).

Apply to Be a Therapy Dog Volunteer

Our program is currently at capacity and applications are being accepted for our waitlist. We look forward to connecting with you as opportunities become available.

There is an extensive qualifying process involved in becoming a hospital-based therapy dog team. Sound like something you and your dog would be interested in doing? Please review the following information and fill in the submission form below and one of our Canine Corps Volunteer staff will contact you with more information.

Therapy dog teams must be certified. We accept certification from either the Alliance of Therapy Dogs or PetPartners.
Therapy dogs must be calm, obedient, not easily distracted and love to be petted by a variety of people.
Dogs must be at least two years old and handlers must be at least 18 years old.
Dogs on a raw protein diet are not eligible for this program.
Therapy dogs must be able to walk calmly on a loose lead.
Dogs should know basic commands and be comfortably controlled by their handlers in a variety of settings.

Members of the BCH Canine Corps are hospital volunteers. They must attend the hospital’s volunteer orientation program and complete a health check and a background check.

Volunteers and staff are required to get a flu shot each year. Boulder Community Health is a drug-free workplace including the use of medical marijuana products.

We find that not all dogs are suited to this kind of work. Nor are all handlers. Following is a link to an excellent article by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., entitled "Dog Assisted Therapy: Is Your Dog a Good Fit?" We strongly recommend you read this before contacting us.

Watch our Facebook Live event with BCH Canine Corps Volunteer Anne Walker and her dog, Nina.

Dogs on raw meat diets are not eligible for therapy dog work at BCH facilities.

BCH Canine Corps Volunteer Form

Volunteer Information

* Indicates Required Field
First Name*

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Last Name*

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Email Address*

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Phone Number*

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Address 1*

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Address 2
City*

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State*

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Zip Code*

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Dog's Name*

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Dog's Breed*

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Dog's Age*

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How did you hear about us?*

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