The Friendship Foundation

The Friendship Foundation volunteers and their pets visit various facilities to enrich the lives of children and adults. A designated liaison arranges and attends all group visits. The Friendship Foundation brings the healing comfort of companion animals to people of all ages who are hospitalized or confined.

Our program offers a unique approach to stress reduction for hospitalized patients by sharing volunteer-owned animals with the patients to aid in the healing process.

Animals are carefully health and temperament screened annually by our animal behaviorists and volunteer veterinarians. Friendship Foundation volunteers use their own pets for visits. Friendship Foundation does not run an animal shelter.

As the pets are shared by friendly, attentive volunteers, they offer love and acceptance to patients without any judgments about how they look or move. Patients interact with the animals, volunteers and staff in a safe environment, often exchanging stories about their own pets. The animals offer a restful distraction from pain and relief from stress. It feels good to be the giver of attention to an animal instead of always being the helpless recipient of care. Laughter erupting as the dogs do tricks or a kitten chases a string has been shown to release chemicals in the brain that aid in healing.

PREPARATION

		Be aware of the needs of the patient you are visiting. Many older patients have decreased senses of sight and hearing. This means: (a) the sense of touch is that much more important as a source of stimulation and pleasure, and (b) you may need to SPEAK LOUDLY A patient's other needs may be helped by (a) hand holding and other affectionate touching; (b) sincerely given compliments; and (c) remembering to kneel down so that the patient is not looking up.

PRESENTING THE ANIMALS

1. Always ask the person if they want to touch or hold the animal. It's good to encourage it, but if they say no, respect their wishes.
2. Present the animal at the patient's waist or below, NOT from above or at their face level.
3. Protect the animal by presenting it to patients in such a way that they are discouraged from poking at its face. Turn it sideways or backwards.
4. If the patient wants to hold a small animal, ALWAYS place it on the patient's lap, NEVER in their arms or hands.
5. If an animal is jumpy or exhibits any unusual behavior notify the visit supervisor.
6. If a patient handles and animal too roughly and you cannot correct this by taking the patients hand and tactfully demonstrating the proper touch, remove the animal from the patient right away.
7. NEVER leave an animal unattended with a patient, for the animal's safety and because the patient needs YOU too.

1. Animals must be spotless, odor-free and flea-free! They cannot have any sore spots, hot spots, rashes or be ill.
2. Be sure your dog relieves itself before you leave home. If your dog is an active one exercise it before the visit.
3. Do not allow your pet sit on beds or furniture on visits without specific permission from both the staff and the patient or resident.
4. Always keep your dog on a leash (4 feet or shorter). During the visit keep your dog within one foot of you and at least two feet from other dogs except during scheduled demonstrations.
5. Be aware of what your dog is doing at all times. Prevent your dog from inappropriate sniffing of body parts, wounds, wound dressings, and medical devises.

   REMEMBER: It is a privilege to bring our pets to hospitals and we should always be aware that we are guests and be on our best behavior.

6. TAKING AWAY THE ANIMAL

   When it is time to do this, prepare the patient by saying something so they will know the animal is about to leave and will have time to adjust. Sometimes endings are hard for patients.

   HOW THE FRIENDSHIP FOUNDATION LOOKS TO OTHERS

   • Dress: Let's go clean, neat and comfortable. Wearing layers helps since many facilities can be very warm.
   • Clean UP: We need to clean up messes the animal make immediately. Alert the visit supervisor at once.

   HOW THE FRIENDSHIP FOUNDATION FEELS TO ALL OF US

   During visits, feel free to ask questions or make requests of the visit supervisor. After visits, feel free to talk about how the visit went, strange or unusual incidents, your feelings, criticisms, suggestions, and so on. This is an important part of out program. Your input is a valuable contribution.

   YOU ARE THAT SPECIAL PERSON WHO LOVES ANIMALS AND PEOPLE, TOO. Your time, energy, warmth and caring are an important part of the teamwork that makes our animal-assisted activity and animal-assisted therapy program a valuable resource to our community.

   

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   To get more information on the Friendship Foundation contact:

   Friendship Foundation P.O. Box 6525 Albany, CA 94706 (510) 528-9104 contact person: Elizabeth Soares
   Friendship Foundation does not have an email address	Animals must be registered with Friendship Foundation before attending a visit.

   
   Visit the Friendship Foundation on-line store for logo items.
   http://www.cafepress.com/friendshipvisit

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   Friendship Foundation is the organization that Freeway and I volunteer with. This web site is part of my contribution to the organization.

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