Paws 4 Healing

OSF Saint Francis and Children's Hospital of Illinois are pleased to offer animal assisted therapy to our patients because we believe in treating the emotional as well as the physical needs of our patients. Animal Assisted Therapy uses highly trained animals and handlers to help patients achieve specific physical, social, cognitive, and emotional goals. Specially trained therapy dogs and their owners will, on request, visit the hospital to bring comfort to patients, reduce stress, anxiety, pain, blood pressure, and increase patient social interaction and communication.

How it works

A dog/handler team will visit the bedside of medically qualified patients.

Interested in becoming part of our Animal-Assisted Therapy Program?

Basic Qualifying Requirements:

• Your dog should consistently perform the following with one command ("dog sit" and the dog puts his rear on the ground).
• sit on command
• down on command
• stay and recall on command
• walk loosely on a leash without pulling, even when excited or in a new environment-get along well with other dogs
• able to perform commands without treats

Other Requirements:

• Your dog should like people
• Not be overly vocal
• have no food or possession issues
• should not have separation anxiety issues
• Your dog needs to be at least one year of age
• Handlers must be 18 years or older
• Dogs must be up to date on all vaccinations
• Dogs must be free of all skin problems
• Dogs must have year around flea and heartguard protection.

*Prong collars, harnesses and gentle leaders are not acceptable.

Volunteer Shifts and How to Apply

If you and your dog would like to be considered for part of this exciting program at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Illinois, please click here to complete the Animal-Assisted Therapy volunteer application. (Please note that you may not be contacted for a few months following the submission of your application). After phone screening, you may be invited to our temperament testing. If you and your dog pass, you will need to be available for (three consecutive days - usually a Friday, Saturday & Sunday).

Please contact us with any questions at 309-655-2118.