Specialty Volunteer Program
The Specialty Volunteer Program is intended for individuals looking for specific, niche opportunities that may be affiliated with their profession or require a certification. If accepted into this program, volunteers will be directly supervised by the manager of the specific department they are supporting.
Explore Our Program
Pet Visitation
Volunteers with the Pet Visitation program are community members who have pet companions that hold active registration within a nationally recognized therapy animal organization. Therapy animals must be fully vaccinated, over the age of two, and comfortable around children. Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Engaging patients in unit playrooms
- Providing therapeutic bedside visits
- Participating in special events
- Providing opportunities for staff wellness
Pet Visitation volunteers must be 18 and older. Volunteer teams are required to provide a minimum of two visits per month. Priority scheduling will be given to volunteer teams who are available weekly, during a set day and time. These volunteer teams are directly supervised by the Pet Visitation program staff.
Kids in Action
Volunteers will help children and young adults participate in athletic, social and creative activities by signing up for events. Events take place at Children’s National Bunker Hill Road and within the community.
- Must be at least 16 years of age and older
- Must have reliable transportation
- Events will be held on weeknight evenings and weekends
Creative and Therapeutic Arts
Creative and Therapeutic Arts Services (CTAS) provides artistic programming to patients, families and staff. Depending on their specific assignment, volunteers may be assisting a Creative and Therapeutic Arts staff member, assisting a volunteer musician or artist, or providing their own artistic skills. CTAS volunteers are directly supervised by a member of the CTAS staff. The age and time commitment requirements for CTAS volunteers vary based on assignment.
CTAS volunteer opportunities include:
Only Make Believe Volunteer
Only Make Believe (OMB) Volunteers create and perform live and interactive theater for children in the hospital, including in Seacrest Studios and inpatient areas.
Musicians On Call (MOC) Volunteers
Musicians On Call (MOC) Volunteers help spread the healing power of music to those who need it most. Volunteer Musicians perform acoustically room to room for patients, families and caregivers. Volunteer Guides escort the volunteer musicians and remain with the artist for the duration of their volunteer shift. To learn more about this opportunity and how to apply, please visit Get Involved - Musicians On Call or reach out to us.
Gallery & Exhibition Volunteer
Gallery & Exhibition volunteers assist with art gallery installations in the hospital, perform gallery rounding, organize and replace gallery information and labels, assist with art receptions and special events, assist with Saturday art workshops and activities for patients and families, and assist with other programmatic or administrative duties as needed.
Music Therapy Volunteer
Assist Music Therapist with group setup, takedown, and sanitization; drop off, pick up, and sanitize instruments for patients; tune and change strings for stringed instruments (e.g. ukuleles and guitars - music therapist will train you); sing and/or play instruments for patients’ birthdays and special events as requested by Music Therapist; assist with additional programmatic or administrative duties on an as-needed basis.
Art Program Support
Art Program Support volunteers assist the art therapy team with art activities and projects, prepare and distribute art project materials to patients, and assist with additional programmatic and administrative duties as needed.
The age and time commitment requirements for CTAS volunteers vary based on assignment.