About Us:
The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue our mission at MSK and around the globe.
Before You Apply
To ensure this opportunity is a good fit, please watch our volunteer Pre-Orientation video for essential program information. Review the opportunity description and scheduling details below carefully before submitting your application.
Locations
We are looking for Caring Canines teams for our New York & New Jersey sites:
NY: Manhattan, Westchester, Commack, & Nassau
NJ: Basking Ridge, Bergen - Montvale, & Monmouth - Middletown
Please indicate which locations you are applying for in your application.
Volunteer Opportunity
The mission of Caring Canines is to enhance the patient experience through the therapeutic benefits of a Visiting Therapy Animal Program. Our Caring Canine teams visit more than 9,000 patients each year, bringing comfort and cheer to patients, caregivers, and staff wherever they go!
Volunteers in this role will provide canine visits to patients, caregivers, and staff throughout the facility in our New York and New Jersey locations. For more details on our program, please visit our website.
Who We’re Looking For
Age 18+
Have a registered therapy dog
Can commit to a weekly shift for a minimum of 6 months. Volunteers are expected to be reliable in attending their scheduled shifts. Caring Canine shifts are about 1.5 hours.
If you are a former or current MSK patient, you must be out of active treatment for at least one year
Reliable, excellent interpersonal skills, and compassionate
Friendly and comfortable engaging with patients, families, and staff
Canine Qualifications
In order to volunteer at MSK, all canines must be up to date on the following vaccinations:
Rabies
Distemper/Parvo
Bordetella
Leptospirosis
All canines must have a negative fecal test performed within the last 12 months
Canines cannot eat a raw diet
Canines must be bathed within 24-48 hours of visiting
Onboarding Process (average 4–6 weeks)
If selected, complete an onsite evaluation with our Caring Canine Consultant. The selection process is based on the needs of the specific site and applicant qualifications.
2–3 reference checks
Background check & drug screen
Medical clearance (flu and other immunizations required; at applicant’s expense)
Handlers will be asked to provide medical and immunization records from their canine’s veterinarian
*To stay active in the program, onboarding must be completed within 4-6 weeks. If your application is pending any onboarding tasks for 30+ days, your application may be rejected.
Please Note
This is an unpaid volunteer role. The Volunteer Department does not oversee paid employment, internships, shadowing, or educational programs. Our program provides meaningful, long-term opportunities to support patients and staff.
Closing:
At MSK, we believe in fair, competitive pay that reflects your job, experience, and skills.
MSK is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
Skills Required
- Age 18+
- Have a registered therapy dog
- Commit to a weekly shift for a minimum of 6 months (1.5 hours per shift)
- If a former or current MSK patient, out of active treatment for at least one year
- Reliable, excellent interpersonal skills, compassionate, friendly and comfortable engaging with patients, families, and staff
- Canine vaccinations up to date: Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, Bordetella, Leptospirosis
- Canine negative fecal test within the last 12 months
- Canines cannot eat a raw diet
- Canines must be bathed within 24-48 hours of visiting
- Onsite evaluation with Caring Canine Consultant if selected
- 2-3 reference checks
- Background check and drug screen
- Medical clearance (flu and other immunizations required; at applicant's expense)
- Provide canine medical and immunization records from veterinarian
- Complete onboarding within 4-6 weeks (applications pending onboarding tasks 30+ days may be rejected)
What We Do
The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue our mission at MSK and around the globe. One of the world’s most respected comprehensive centers devoted exclusively to cancer, we have been recognized as one of the top two cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years.
Why Work With Us
Our technical teams are embracing agile methodologies and user-centered design to build products that will improve the patient journey. We look forward to enhancing our use of data, analytics, and technology to improve how we work and collaborate.
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