WAGtime Volunteer Program
Does your dog make your day brighter? Share that joy with others through the Summa Health WAGtime Volunteer program!
WAGtime is our special pet visitation program where you and your dog can bring comfort and smiles to patients and families in our hospitals. As a WAGtime volunteer, you and your pup have the chance to lift spirits, ease stress and make a meaningful difference in our community – all while enjoying quality time together. Join us and let your dog’s warmth brighten someone’s day!
Volunteer as a WAGtime Team
Summa Health is seeking new teams (dogs and owners) to join our pet visitation program. Trained volunteer WAGtime teams visit patients and hospital staff throughout the Summa Health System – Akron and Barberton Campuses.
How to Join WAGtime
Summa Health works with Pet Partners for volunteer registration. We are always looking for new WAGtime volunteer teams and have an easy process to get you started!
1. Complete the Handlers Course
Prospective WAGtime volunteers must first complete an authorized Handlers Course to help you learn your responsibilities and expectations for successfully volunteering as a Pet Partners handler in any facility you wish to visit. (It is for humans only and is not a dog training course.)
Summa Health partners with Pet Partners to provide multiple handler training opportunities throughout the year, typically in the Spring and Fall. Opportunities include:
- Completing the required Handlers Course online through Pet Partners (Cost: $80)
- Attending a one-day Summa Health in-person event (Cost: $25), or
- Visiting the Pet Partners online calendar to locate a Therapy Animal Handler Workshop near you (Cost varies)
To learn about Summa Health’s next in-person Handlers Course, look for information below or contact Summa Health Volunteer Services. You can also visit the Pet Partners website to sign up for the virtual course.
2. Pass a Team Evaluation
After completing the Handlers Course, you and your dog must pass a Pet Partners Team Evaluation. In partnership with Summa Health, Pet Partners Evaluators will evaluate your team on your ability to volunteer in a hospital setting. This behavior-based evaluation assesses how your team reacts and recovers in a variety of typical hospital situations. To schedule a Team Evaluation:
- Go to the Pet Partners website and click on the red ”Become a volunteer” button on the home page. Then, click on the “Team evaluation” tab and the “event calendar” text.
- Select “Ohio” from the state drop down menu and “Akron – Arch Street” from the city menu. Then, select “team evaluation”’ on the preferred date.
- You will then be assigned an evaluation time and details via email.
To learn more about the next Team Evaluation at Summa Health, look for information below or contact Summa Health Volunteer Services. You can also visit the Pet Partners website to look for another local opportunity.
3. Attend Volunteer Orientation
After your team successfully passes your Team Evaluation, you will complete volunteer onboarding, orientation and mentorship with Summa Health. Once attained, you can begin visiting as an official WAGtime volunteer!
Contact Summa Health Volunteer Services or visit the Pet Partners website to learn more. For instructions on how to register, please refer to the information above.
Donate to WAGtime
The Summa Health WAGtime program is made possible through generous financial donations from our community. These donations support the volunteers and dogs with uniforms, trainings, evaluations, and overall program support. It also helps Summa Health recruit additional volunteers for this important program and recognize the incredible service contributions from our WAGtime volunteers.
If you would like to make a donation to WAGtime, please complete the form below. If you wish to recognize your pet or a current WAGtime volunteer through your donation, please provide this information on the form.
Thank you for supporting this high-impact program!
