Tar Heal Paws IconTar Heal Paws

Tar Heal Paws is an animal therapy program at UNC Health that offers support and companionship to patients, visitors, and staff. Its purpose is to reduce stress and provide interaction with animals during hospitalization and medical intervention. Tar Heal Paws serve: Chapel Hill Hospitals, Hillsborough Hospital, Chatham Hospital, and surrounding clinics. If interested in volunteering at the Hospice Home in Pittsboro, please contact their Volunteer Coordinator for more information.

Benefits of Animal Assisted Activities

Tar Heal Paws provides patients the opportunity to safely interact with our volunteer dogs and receive their unconditional love and acceptance. Additional benefits of pet therapy:

  • Positive therapeutic experiences that help minimize the stress of the hospital environment
  • Reduced anxiety and enhanced coping skills by providing a welcome distraction from illness and hospitalization
  • Increased normalization of the hospital experience by making it more home-like

Would My Dog Make a Good Therapy Dog?

Great Question! Is your dog comfortable with new people and environments? Is your dog calm and relaxed? Tar Heal Paws is a team effort that requires the right fit for both the human and dog. Hospitals are noisy and unpredictable, not suitable for every dog. Test your dog's reaction to places like restaurants, farms, pet stores, etc. You can also take your pup to nursing homes prior to trying out the hospital. These visits will help determine if being a Tar Heal Paw is the right choice.

Team Training

Tar Heal Paws teams are comprised of one volunteer and one dog. Before visiting patients independently, all teams go through shadowing and mentoring at UNC Medical Center. Although the initial training process can be intense, the rewards are tremendous.

To become a Tar Heal Paw, you need a trained and registered therapy dog. We accept teams registered with the following pet therapy organizations: Pet Partners, Dogs With a Purpose, Love on a Leash, Canines for Service or Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). Dogs must also have current, annual veterinarian exams and immunizations.

We also ask that you:

  • Commit to at least two visits per month.
  • Volunteer at least one (1) year.
  • Be at least 18 years old and out of high school.
  • Have a dog at least one (1) year old.
  • Do not feed your dog a raw diet.

How to Apply

  1. Register with a pet therapy organization from the list provided and show proof of registration. These organizations can also help you determine if you and your pup would make a good therapy team.
  2. After training and registration, submit a Tar Heal Paws Application.
    • We cannot process your application until you have been evaluated by a pet therapy organization.
  3. Check your email for an automated message containing details about online orientation, compliance modules, background screening, and immunization requirements.
  4. Complete all immunization requirements as indicated on this webpage. * Onboarding requirements for UNC Health Employees are different, contact jodie.skoff@unchealth.unc.edu for more information.
  5. Complete the UNC Tar Heal Paws Immunization Form for your pup.
  6. After completing the steps above, you and your pup will interview with the Tar Heal Paws Coordinator and discuss placement preferences and locations.
  7. Volunteer dress code is a short or long sleeved white, light blue or navy polo for the handler and a Tar Heal Paws bandana for your pup.
  8. Start volunteering and reap benefits of helping others! We are excited to have you on our team!

Apply Today

Currently onboarding new Tar Heal Paws!

Please review what it takes to be a Paw and fill out an Application.

Contact Information

volsvcs@unchealth.unc.edu

(984) 974-4793

Business Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00a - 4:30p

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Tar Heal Paws, welcomes support from the community through the Medical Foundation of North Carolina, Inc. a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.  

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