Visite d'animaux
RĂ©pandez la joie, une visite Ă quatre pattes Ă la fois
Ă la HBSPCA, nous pensons que les animaux ont la capacitĂ© innĂ©e de faire ressortir le meilleur de chacun de nous. InspirĂ©s du travail fantastique rĂ©alisĂ© par nos pairs Ă Ottawa, nous sommes ravis de vous prĂ©senter notre programme Moments Pawsitive : Heartfelt Visits.âšâš
What is Pet Visiting?
Our Pet Visiting Program aims to uplift spirits and brighten days for our community with the help of our dedicated volunteers and their resident pets, or Pet Ambassadors, as we like to call them. The Ambassadors will visit nursing homes, universities, colleges, hospitals, hospices, shelters, community centers and more, bringing with them a wave of positivity, affection and unconditional love.
The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Pet Visiting Program interactions are defined as Animal Assisted Activity (AAA). Animal Assisted Activities (AAAs) are planned and goal-oriented informal interactions and visits with human-animal teams, like our Pet Visiting Ambassadors, for motivational, educational and recreational purposes. Human-animal teams involved in AAA have received at least introductory training, preparation and assessment to participate in these informal visits.
Pet Visiting Locations
Comment ça marche
Planifier une visite
Chaque séance de visite dure environ une heure à une heure et demie. Pour garantir à chacun l'expérience la plus enrichissante possible, nous recommandons des petits groupes de 25 personnes maximum, voire des visites individuelles. Cette configuration intimiste permet de tisser de véritables liens entre les animaux et les individus.Pet Visiting Request Form' and we will contact you with the next steps.
Our Pet Ambassadors can visit your organization monthly, for a one-time visit, or for an upcoming special event. Given the program's popularity and the sheer number of requests we receive, it is essential to request your visit early. While we strive to accommodate all preferred schedules, sometimes your first choice might not be available. Your understanding and flexibility are appreciated.
Perfect Pairs
We are always looking for new Pet Visiting Volunteers and Ambassadors; could you and your pet be the perfect pair we are looking for? As a Pet Visiting volunteer, you will be a part of the HBSPCA family with many rewarding opportunities to visit a variety of facilities with a flexible schedule.
We invite you to start the onboarding process by completing our 'Pet Visiting Self-Screen Quiz' to see if your pet could be a good fit for the program. While dogs are our most common Pet Ambassadors, we welcome any friendly and social pet to apply to the Pet Visiting Program!
Our Pet Visiting Ambassador animals make a huge impact in the lives of those they visit and we at the HBSPCA thank you for considering us as you look to share your valuable time.
Coûts et contributions
Ă l'HBSPCA, nous nous engageons pour le bien-ĂȘtre des animaux et des humains. Par consĂ©quent, bien que les visites de Pawsitive Moments soient gratuites, nous acceptons gracieusement les contributions ou les dons. Votre gĂ©nĂ©rositĂ© contribue non seulement Ă financer ce programme rĂ©confortant, mais nous permet Ă©galement de « le faire avancer », en rendant ces expĂ©riences inestimables accessibles Ă un plus grand nombre de groupes.
Your generosity helps fund this heart-warming program but also ensures we can continue to share the healing presence of pets with everyone, making these invaluable experiences accessible to even more groups within our community.
Meet Team Happiness
Snickers
Hey there! Iâm SnickersâSnicky if weâre friends (and we will be). I joined my family four years ago and live with three cats, so Iâve learned to be pretty chill... at least until itâs time to play! I love fetchâespecially with two frisbeesâand a good game of tug with my thick rope. Snow piles? The best. I could jump and dig in them all day.Iâm a true opportunist when it comes to food. Iâll eat just about anything, which makes training a breeze! I do have a bunch of allergiesâbeef, turkey, grass, dust, and moreâbut my special frozen treats with Greek yogurt, peas, and spinach? Delicious.
People say Iâm goofy, sweet, and full of love. I know how to give high fives, shake paws, and roll over (but only on grass!). I share the house with my feline siblingsâWhiskey, Winnie von Kitty, and Lukey the Destroyer. Letâs just say... theyâre the bosses. I joined the Pet Visiting Program in February 2025, and I love making people smile. If you need a little extra love, Iâll lean in close or rest my head on your leg and give you the look. Works like magic. Canât wait to meet you soon!
Cricket
Hi there! Iâm Cricket.Iâm 12 years old and have been living my best life with my family for the past three years. I may be a little older, but Iâve got the heart of a pupâespecially when there are belly rubs or treats involved!
One of my favorite things to do is flop right onto my back, whether Iâm wide awake or fast asleep. Itâs kind of my signature move. Iâm a pretty relaxed and sociable gal who loves being near my peopleâespecially when itâs time for my favorite nighttime treat: half a DentaStick. (Yes, I know exactly when itâs coming.) I share my days with two tiny humansâmy grandbabies, Zeke and Archie. When theyâre around, youâll usually find me laying quietly beside them, just soaking up the love. Iâm gentle, calm, and always happy to be part of the moment.
I joined the Pet Visiting Program in June 2024, and itâs been such a joy. People say I have a soothing presenceâand I think theyâre right. I donât need to do much to make someoneâs day better.Just being me seems to be enough. And honestly, that feels pretty special.
Jersey
Hi! Iâm Jersey, but my family calls me Chunky Monkey (affectionately, of course!). Iâm 2 years old and have been with my family since I was just four months old. From day one, I knew cuddles and calm vibes were my thing. Iâm not much for zoomies or chaosâIâd rather lie around and soak up all the love and attention.
As a proud foodie, I donât play favorites when it comes to treats. If itâs edible, Iâm interested! Iâm super relaxed and chilled, and my human says Iâm the calmest pup around. I live in a full house with two other dogsâone older, one youngerâand a human brother, and I love every minute of it. One of my signature moves is the âpat me nowâ nudgeâIâll rub up against your legs until you get the hint. Trust me, it works every time.
I joined the Pet Visiting Program in June 2024 and absolutely love the extra attentionâitâs kind of my specialty. Fun fact: Iâm a total water dog and love paddle boarding, floating around like the queen I am. Canât wait to meet youâand maybe score a treat or two while Iâm at it!
Nugget
Hi, Iâm Nuggetâmy full name is Nugget Charles Darwin III Ireland. (But you can call me Nuggy, Chimkin, Little Pickerel, or Pooshious.) Iâm turning 11 this October and have been living the pampered life since I was a puppy. My days are all about the finer things: multiple pillows, sleeping under a duvet (with one leg elegantly sticking out for temperature control), and the gourmet alerts of a banana peel or peanut butter jar openingâmy ears are that good.
Though Iâm small, Iâve got a royal attitude. Iâm a sassy, independent little prince who shares his kingdom with my younger doggy brother, Philâa whirlwind whoâs been testing my patience for three years. Weâre working on it⊠slowly. I have a charming quirkâa single front tooth that gives me the goofiest smile, especially when my lip gets stuck. People canât get enough of it. And before I jump on anything, I gently rest my chin first, like a true gentleman checking the terrain.
I joined the Pet Visiting Program in June 2025, and Iâve loved bringing my signature sass, sweetness, and smile to new people ever since. Small but mighty, I make a big impressionâand I wouldnât have it any other way.
Benefits of the HBSPCA Pet Visiting Program
Animal assisted activities (AAA) have proven benefits of both physical and mental health in a variety of ways. Various studies have shown AAA to reduce; blood pressure, heart rate and overall anxiety. As well as improved healing times, social skills and even the overall mood of a participant. Many of our partner locations have shared very positive stories and feedback from visits, expressing the benefits of AAA being shown in their participants.
Facility Testimonials
The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) is offering our day program pet therapy to our participants. Â The program is benefiting our special needs adultâs participants by providing them emotional support, improving social skills, and enhancing overall well-being. Engaging with animals is leading to increased feelings of comfort and companionship, promoting a positive bond that fosters mental health and boosts self-esteem.
The Pet Visiting Program has been such a hit with our students. The animals have all been so sweet and well behaved, we've even converted a few students who were originally nervous around or hadn't had much interaction with dogs. We have students (and staff members) who regularly monitor the schedule to line up their visit with their favourite animals. Many of the students are away from home for the first time and missing their own pets, so a few minutes to decompress and get some cuddles makes a huge difference to them.
We are very grateful for the HBSPCA Pet Visiting Program and are so thankful for the joy it brings to the HBIA! The dogs and their owners bring a sense of calm and happiness to our members, offering both emotional support and comfort. We look forward to our monthly visits and the special connection they bring.
