Can't volunteer with pigs. :(

[Freela]

In my province kids have to do 40 hours of volunteer service to graduate high school... I thought it would be fun if we could certify the pigs as therapy animals and visit nursing homes, etc. with them and it would be a fun way for the kids to get their hour done. Unfortunately, NO ONE in my area will certify pigs as therapy animals. It's only available for dogs, cats, and horses? I feel a piggie is easier to visit with than a horse! Oh well... back to the drawing board!

 

[Siikibam]

Sorry I think they’re still broadly viewed as ‘dispensable’ good luck finding an alternative.

 

[Freela]

Sorry I think they’re still broadly viewed as ‘dispensable’ good luck finding an alternative.

Thanks! Most of the volunteer opportunities for high schoolers here are so 'people skills' focused and one of my kids is autistic and gets really stressed out having to make small talk... I thought having the guinea pig as a focal point would make it easier for her to have something specific to converse about! I think we'll volunteer at a community garden in the spring, summer, and fall instead, so it will work out. I just think my pigs are so great I want to share them with the world!

 

[Claire W]

That’s such a shame

 

[Bill & Ted]

It’s such a shame, piggies are so gentle, I’m sure lots of people in nursing homes would find them delightful x Perhaps you could challenge the system?
@HeatherRose has therapy piggies, maybe you could show them her thread x

 

[Freela]

It’s such a shame, piggies are so gentle, I’m sure lots of people in nursing homes would find them delightful x Perhaps you could challenge the system?
@HeatherRose has therapy piggies, maybe you could show them her thread x

I think she gave me the idea! I did let them know to think it over and tell me if they change their mind. I think it's just a matter of them not having to protocols to certify them. There are only two agencies in my areas that will certify therapy animals. There is one that will certify guinea pigs, but it's mostly in the US and has one branch in the far north of my province, too far for anyone to do the certification (Canada is big... the only branch is about a four hours' drive from me.)

 

[HeatherRose]

I think she gave me the idea! I did let them know to think it over and tell me if they change their mind. I think it's just a matter of them not having to protocols to certify them. There are only two agencies in my areas that will certify therapy animals. There is one that will certify guinea pigs, but it's mostly in the US and has one branch in the far north of my province, too far for anyone to do the certification (Canada is big... the only branch is about a four hours' drive from me.)

Is it Pet Partners? They are the only group that will certify a guinea pig as far as I know. I know they are growing and adding more chapters everywhere, they are even coming to the UK soon! Sometimes there are evaluators that might live closer to you even if the chapter is located far away. Have you checked with them to see if any evaluators live near by? Also check with the nursing homes, a lot of them will let you come in even without being certified. My daughter is in 4-H guinea pig club and the kids visit a nursing home as their service project and none of them are certified.

 

[Freela]

Is it Pet Partners? They are the only group that will certify a guinea pig as far as I know. I know they are growing and adding more chapters everywhere, they are even coming to the UK soon! Sometimes there are evaluators that might live closer to you even if the chapter is located far away. Have you checked with them to see if any evaluators live near by? Also check with the nursing homes, a lot of them will let you come in even without being certified. My daughter is in 4-H guinea pig club and the kids visit a nursing home as their service project and none of them are certified.

Yes, Pet Partners is the one that will certify guinea pigs, but the nearest evaluators are several hours away from me, I contacted them. The other agencies that are local won't certify them. I could always try nursing homes individually to see if any of them are open to the idea even without certification.

 

[HeatherRose]

Yes, Pet Partners is the one that will certify guinea pigs, but the nearest evaluators are several hours away from me, I contacted them. The other agencies that are local won't certify them. I could always try nursing homes individually to see if any of them are open to the idea even without certification.

Nursing homes are usually just happy to have something fun for the residents, from my experience, they are very laidback about it