FAQ Categories

About Gabriel's Angels

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Volunteering

Volunteering

How do I know if I have the right pet to volunteer with Gabriel's Angels?

Pets that are candidates for our program must be comfortable around and tolerate children petting and hugging them. They must be predictable in their behavior as well as pass basic obedience skills (walk on a loose leash or heel, sit, stay, down, and come commands). Pets must be at least one year of age to be screened and registered. Take this short survey to see if becoming a Pet Therapy to right for you and your pet.

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How can my pet and I become a registered Pet Therapy Team?

Your first step would be to attend one of our monthly Information Sessions. During the session we cover all that is necessary to become a registered Pet Therapy Team. Please see our Events page for details on dates and times.

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My pet and I are already registered through the Delta Society or Therapy Dogs Inc. How can we become a Pet Therapy Team with Gabriel’s Angels?

Congratulations on being registered as a Therapy Team! The next step would be to attend one of our monthly Information Sessions. Please see our Events page for details on dates and times of these meetings.

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I don't have a pet. Can I still volunteer?

Yes, we have many other wonderful volunteer opportunities. Please see our Volunteer section for information about our volunteer opportunities.

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What exactly happens on the Pet Therapy visits?

During our visits, the human part of the team encourages the children to pet, brush, hug or speak to the pet. These activities enable the child to experience unconditional love (maybe for the first time), build feelings of trust, empathy and respect and join in group behavior. This interaction also allows the children to achieve outward focus and forget about their problems for the moment. The children walk the pet on a leash with the help of the handler, bring the pet water and reward the pet for obeying basic obedience commands. The latter activity allows the child to experience positive control and heightens their self-esteem when the pet listens and responds. These represent part of the many ways our pets and volunteers interact with the children.

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Is there a certain breed of dog you prefer to be a Therapy Dog?

There are no breed requirements for Delta Society or Therapy Dogs, Inc. registration. All dogs must be of predictable, sound temperament, love to interact with children and be at least one year old.

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Do you only use dogs?

We currently only have dogs registered with their owners. Cats can also be used in therapy work and we welcome new additions!

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What are the related costs and requirements to be a registered Therapy Team?

If you choose Delta Society:                                                    

No Delta vest required for Gabriels Angels.                                       

One time approximate 30-40 minute evaluation with tester.

Delta Evaluation every 2 years.

Delta Home Study Course: $37.50.

Delta Evaluation: $25.00.

Delta Registration: $75.00 every 2 years.

$20.00 for each additional dog.

$30.00 for each additional handler.

Delta Society provides a 1 million dollar insurance policy.

 

If you choose Therapy Dogs INC:

Evaluation- you and your dog will meet with an evaluator 3-4 times at different locations. Possibly a hospital, Pet Co, or an elementary school.

Therapy Dogs INC. Registration $25.00  plus a $10.00 new member processing fee.

Therapy Dogs INC. Annual Renewal: $ 25.00 per person and for first dog.

$10.00 each additional person and dog in the same household.

Gabriel’s Angels Requires a 2 year Gabriel’s Angels re-evaluation.

Therapy Dogs INC.  provides a 5 million dollar insurance policy.

 

Above expenses, including mileage to and from visits, are tax deductible.

(Additional Fees for Fingerprinting and DPS Background Check, please refer to Fingerprinting FAQ) 

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Does Gabriel's Angels place me in a facility once I am a volunteer?

Yes. Depending upon your schedule, available population, and the facility's request, we place you in an appropriate facility and attend your first couple of visits to be sure it is a good fit.

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How do you decide what type of facility and age group is right for my pet and me?

We decide together! This determination is primarily made based on your pet’s size, personality and temperament. We serve children infant to 18 years of age in a variety of facilities.
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Can a team cancel a visit? Do I have to be consistent?

Consistency is paramount for these children. Certainly, things come up that may require you to cancel a visit. However, the children do miss you when you don't show up. Our teams visit for 45 minutes to one hour weekly or every other week, so the time commitment is minimal. If you know in advance that you will miss your visit, please notify both the facility’s Volunteer Coordinator and your Volunteer Coordinator at Gabriel's Angels.

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Do you provide Pet Therapy for nursing homes, hospitals etc., or do you just focus on facilities serving abused or at-risk children?

Gabriel's Angels' mission is to deliver healing pet therapy to abused, neglected and at-risk children, nurturing their ability to love and trust, thereby freeing them from the cycle of violence.  We focus strictly on this mission, however, there are other organizations providing visiting animals to local nursing homes, rehab clinics and hospice care facilities.

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How old must my pet be to be registered?

Pets must be at least one year of age to be registered for therapy work with Gabriel's Angels.

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Is there liability insurance for my pet and me when we are volunteering for Gabriel's Angels?

With your registration from Delta Society you receive a one million dollar primary liability policy. With your registration from Therapy Dogs, Inc., you receive a 5 million dollar primary liability policy. This policy is in effect when you are volunteering as a Therapy Team and are adhering to proper procedures.

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Can I volunteer in any other capacity outside of Gabriel's Angels once I am registered?

Yes, you are registered to work at a variety of facilities including nursing homes, rehab centers, hospice situations. Be aware, however, that these facilities may have additional requirements before you can visit with the clients. Please contact these organizations directly for their specific requirements.

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What requirements does Gabriel's Angels have for me to be a volunteer?

To become part of our Therapy Team program, you and your pet must be screened and registered with the Delta Society or Therapy Dogs Inc., fill out our Volunteer Application and Waiver, submit and pass a finger print clearance check. We also ask for three personal references. Your pet must have a health examination by his/her veterinarian. Helping Hand volunteers must follow these same guidelines, with the exception of pet registration and animal health screening. 

Please note:  Therapy Dog International will not allow their registered teams to participate in formal groups such as Gabriel’s Angels. Therefore, for insurance purposes we can only accept therapy teams registered with The Delta Society or Therapy Dog Incorporated.  Note:  This is a decision by Therapy Dog International not Gabriel’s Angels.

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Do I have to be fingerprinted?

Yes, all Pet Therapy and Helping Hand volunteers must be fingerprinted, as is mandated by the State of Arizona.

DPS Fingerprint Clearance card is needed, if the volunteer does not have it, there is a charge for fingerprinting (usually about $5 - $15 depending upon Fingerprinting Services business and location) and a DPS background check charge of $65 - $70.

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What confidentiality agreements are required?

Gabriel's Angels requires that you sign a confidentiality agreement and adhere to both our rules and that of the facilities served in order to safeguard the children we serve.
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Once I pass my evaluation what do I do with my paperwork?

First, make copies of all your completed paperwork and then mail it to the appropriate registering organization, Delta Society or Therapy Dogs, Inc. When you have completed the paperwork and you receive your registration badge, make copies of that as well and call our office to schedule an orientation.

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