Pet Therapy
UM has partnered with St. John Ambulance (SJA) to create official Therapy Dog Guidelines, regulating pet therapy on campus for the purpose of decreasing stress and increasing wellbeing.
Pet therapy at the University of Manitoba
If you are interested in attending pet therapy events on campus, keep a close eye out around exam season. UM's Health and Wellness collaborates with SJA every exam season to host pet therapy events on both Bannatyne and Fort Garry campuses to allow students a chance to de-stress during what can be an overwhelming time of year.
If your faculty or group would like to host a pet therapy event on campus, please follow the instructions below.
How to host a pet therapy session
The University of Manitoba has a Pets on Campus policy and therapy animals may be permitted on campus with prior approval required from the Associate Vice-President (Admin).
Please see the process below for requesting therapy animals on campus.
Step One: UM's preferred program for pet therapy is through St. John Ambulance (SJA) as we have service agreement and certificate of insurance in place.
Are you requesting pet therapy through SJA pet therapy program?
- YES
- Complete the SJA Customer Application Form (PDF).
- Note: if your unit has previously completed the SJA customer application form and none of the billing information has changed, a new form is not required.
- Review the SJA Therapy Dog FAQ (PDF) and complete the Pet Therapy Request Form (PDF).
- Email completed SJA Customer Application form (if required) and Pet Therapy Request form to both Jaclyn.Angel@umanitoba.ca and Tatjana.Blazevska@umanitoba.ca.
- Please refer to Steps Two and Three below to complete your pet therapy process.
- Complete the SJA Customer Application Form (PDF).
- NO
- Please contact the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Admin) at Tatjana.Blazevska@umanitoba.ca.
- Please note a service agreement and certificate of insurance is required for pet therapy service through organizations other than SJA.
- Please contact the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Admin) at Tatjana.Blazevska@umanitoba.ca.
Step Two: Use of indoor space for pet therapy requires approval from the Dean's Office or facility manager of the building. Please provide approval in writing (email is sufficient) with your emailed application to both Jaclyn.Angel@umanitoba.ca and Tatjana.Blazevska@umanitoba.ca.
- Use of space in UMSU University Centre or use of outdoor space for pet therapy must be requested through the UM Event Application Form.
Step Three: All pet therapy events on campus must submit a post-event report with answers to the questions below, and submitted to Tatjana.Blazevska@umanitoba.ca.
- How many animals were used?
- Were there any notable events in the animals, such as stress or any incidents involving people?
- Approximately how many people benefited from the event?
Please note the UM unit/department hosting the pet therapy event is responsible for any fees/costs associated with the event on campus.
