Volunteer Services

Volunteers from all walks of life and every local community choose to give their time and energy to Boulder Community Health. There are two routes to volunteering:

• BCH Volunteer Services Department: Provides opportunities to help patients directly or provide support in a non-patient environment
• BCH Ambassadors: A self-governing volunteer group whose members use their creativity and energy to raise money to directly benefit patients. Learn more about the BCH Ambassadors at bchambassadors.org.

Why Volunteer at BCH?

Volunteering at BCH is rewarding. When you volunteer, you:

• Enrich the lives of others
• Feel a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction
• Put your talents and experience to work for a good cause
• Become part of a friendly, caring team
• Explore possible health care careers

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers support BCH in many different ways. You can choose to work with patients or in a non-patient environment. All volunteers attend a general hospital orientation and receive education and training in your assigned area.

Volunteer activities at BCH include:

• Assisting patients and their families
• Assisting with the infant hearing assessment program
• Helping physical therapy patients
• Delivering messages, flowers and mail
• Helping staff on medical/surgical units
• Performing office or computer work
• Working in the gift shops

The days and times you volunteer are flexible. Openings are available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Typically we ask that you volunteer once a week for a minimum of six months, however other options are possible.

Become a BCH Volunteer

Men and women, ages 14 to 90+, contribute positively to life at BCH. We offer a multitude of jobs to suit a variety of interests while providing a rewarding change of pace from your daily routine. All volunteers must be at least 14 years old.

To learn more about joining our team or to request a volunteer application form, please email volunteers@bch.org or call 303-415-7800.

Volunteer Services Staff

Pat Dimond, Director of Volunteer Services
Pat was born and raised in Leavenworth, KS and is a graduate of Kansas State University. She moved to Boulder in 1975 and started working at BCH in 1979. Pat became active in volunteer services management in 1991 and assumed the position of director in 1995. In her busy role, she oversees more than 600 active volunteers and serves as BCH's liaison with the BCH Ambassadors.

Pat is a member of Colorado Healthcare Directors of Volunteer Services and the American Society of Directors of Volunteer Services, the national professional group. She is also a member and past president of the Boulder Luncheon Optimist Club. Pat is married and has three beautiful adult children.

Cathy Burchett, Volunteer Coordinator
Cathy was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. She moved to Boulder in 1975 to attend the University of Colorado and never left. Cathy spent much of the time since then as a stay-at-home mom, raising two sons. She began working at Boulder Community Health in 2001 in the Human Resources Department. Cathy moved to the Volunteer Services Department in 2009 after she was hired as Volunteer Coordinator.

BCH 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

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

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 information below and fill in the submission form and one of our Canine Corps Volunteer staff will contact you with more information.

• 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.