Appeal to volunteers as part of the bi-monthly 'Vollie Voice'

In the past twelve months Delta Victoria and the Newcastle-Hunter Branch have been established and by September 30^th they will have accredited, trained and placed more than 60 Pet Partner teams. In June Delta WA was formed in Perth and it is anticipated that they will place up to twenty-five volunteers before the end of the year. In July Karen Damiani travelled to Coffs Harbour to train twenty-two volunteers for the program and in August we assessed and inducted another twenty teams in Sydney.

We estimate that by Christmas Pet Partner teams will be visiting more than 200 facilities from Coffs Harbour to Fremantle

The Program has come a long way since we placed our first twelve Sydney volunteers and their dogs in 1998. And the demand from new volunteers, nursing homes, children's hospital wards, mental health facilities and rehabilitation units to join the Program is greater than ever. You have made us victims of your success!

The success of the program does great credit to all volunteers who not only give their own time but are responsible for the health, well being and presentation of their dogs - all at no cost to anyone but themselves. Financially It has been possible to date for our paid staff and coordinators to organise the evaluation of the dogs, the training of the volunteers and their placement in the participating facilities because of the generous sponsorship of our major sponsor, Friskies LUCKY DOG. The numbers joining the Program have been doubling every nine months - from twelve to two hundred since 1999.

Now we are hoping that you will be able to help us to ensure that the Program continues to grow. You can assist by

Volunteering to become a team captain - a voluntary coordinator - in your local area or region.

Recruiting a local business, service club or community organisation to join our "Adopt a Delta Pet Partner" project. This would allow them to sponsor a Pet Partner team for twelve months at a suggested cost of $300. Delta Australia will issue two colour certificates of appreciation, incorporating a photo of the volunteer and Delta dog, to the adopting club or business. We can provide you with an 'Adopt a Pet Partner' package of information to introduce your team and provide information on this project, the Pet Partner program and Delta Australia generally.
By joining in our shopping centre 'shakes'. Pet Partner Teams across Australia will be spending a day at shopping centres to raise funds. Personalised letters of introduction and request to shopping centres can be obtained from the national office.
Distributing and collecting from money box tins (round money box tins can be picked up from '$2 shops' in most areas) left at facilities, work places, clubs and small businesses. Wrap round personalised labels of individual PP teams showing their ID photo and first names will soon be available on request from the national office to place on the money boxes.

Other ways in which you can assist include volunteering as support 'staff' at testing and training days or joining our 'buddy system' to accompany new volunteers on for their first facility visit.

If you are able to help in any of these areas or have ideas yourself about how you may be able to assist please let us know as we would love to hear from you.

Attention Sydney volunteers

As Delta Australia continues to 'promote and facilitate positive interaction between people and companion animals' the national office is coming under increasing pressure in trying to meet the additional demands on its administration services. In addition to visiting her nursing home and the children's ward at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Wendy Williams, a Pet Partner volunteer, is spending up to ten hours a week in the national office.

Her contribution is invaluable but we are now seeking further support. If you have modest computer-word processing skills and could be available for half a day per week we would love to hear from you. Contact Phyliis on 9231 3218 or send her an email deltasoc@hotkey.net.au