Our volunteers
Across our hospitals, the dedication of our many volunteers has a huge impact on patients, visitors and staff.
From greeting patients and visitors and serving at kiosks, to driving patients to and from appointments or just providing a welcoming face, our volunteers play an integral role in helping SMHS deliver excellent health care, every time.
Read more about volunteering opportunities at:
- Fiona Stanley Hospital (external site)
- Fremantle Hospital (external site)
- Murray District Hospital (external site)
- Rockingham General Hospital (external site).
SMHS Paws’itive Therapy Dogs pilot program
Dog handlers and their dogs are invited to register interest in a pilot program to bring joy and wellbeing to patients, visitors and staff at Fiona Stanley, Fremantle and Rockingham General hospitals.
Twelve teams of volunteer handlers and dogs are currently being recruited for the six-month SMHS Paws’itive Therapy Dogs program.
Dog handlers will need to meet the standard criteria to join the hospital’s volunteer program and teams need to be available for four visits per month at the hospital site of their choice.
Participating dogs must be between 1 and 10 years of age and:
- microchipped and registered with your local council
- fully vaccinated with annual/triennial boosters and vet checked annually
- receive regular flea/tick/ringworm/heartworm prevention routines (unless your vet advises otherwise)
- have clean and well brushed fur with nails maintained to a suitable length
- have clean and infection-free ears and eyes
- not be registered with their local council as a dangerous dog.
Dogs will need to be well socialised with other dogs, adults and children and comfortable in noisy environments. They will also need to display consistently the following behaviours:
- a good level of obedience
- walking on lead without undue pulling
- sitting on command (verbal or hand signal)
- staying in place if their lead is dropped
- recalling from 4 m away
- taking treats gently from strangers
Training will be provided and will cover behavioural issues specific to working in a hospital environment and interacting with patients, visitors and staff.
For more information phone 6152 5780 and speak to David or Julie, or register your interest by email by Friday 24 February 2023. You will then be contacted by the Fiona Stanley Hospital Volunteer Services.