1. A Photo Card

Some facilities have a card which has a place for a photo and a sentiment such as, "It was nice to meet you!" The photo is placed on the card and it is signed by the handler with the dog's name. The photo can be taken with a Polaroid and taped to the card at the time of the visit. If the camera is not instant, the photos can be developed and brought back at a later time. This is less convenient, but still works well for the patient.

2. A Polaroid

Sometimes the facility will purchase a polaroid and some film for you to take pictures of the patients with your dog. If they do, take advantage. The patients will love the on-the-spot-remembrance. If you don't have access to a Polaroid, and want to buy one, you can deduct it and the film as a volunteer expense on your income tax under charitable donations.

3. Regular Photos

If it isn't possible to get an instant camera, take your photo ahead of time at home. Get a simple, nice photo of your dog and have a hundred copies made. Some places will give you a discount if they know the purpose of your project. After your visit, hand a photo to the patient as a remembrance of your visit. Some patients will want extras for families and friends. You can do the same thing with a holiday photo of your dog in costume. Take the picture ahead of time with your dog in costume, say at Halloween, then give the patient the picture on that special day.

4. Photos Over Time

If you visit a facility or center where you see the same patients over and over and they are rehabilitating, photos can tell a wonderful story. Taking a picture each week (dog in a different scarf or hat) will help give the patient a sense of time passing and help them to actually see the progress they are making. Some family members even provide a small photo album for this purpose.

5. About Releases

Be sure you know your facility's procedure on privacy and photographs. Many places allow photos as long as the patients give permission. Some don't allow photos at all. Some individual patients may have signed a document saying they want no pictures or publicity in any form. If you are lucky, you might get a patient who will sign a release for you to use the photo personally in an album or on the Internet, or in a video. Be sure to check your national group (TDI, TDInc, Pet Partners) for their policies and procedures in addition to the facility's procedure.

A photo is not just a souvenir of the therapy visit. It's a concrete documentation of a very important event. It's a vehicle through which a patient can verbalize his experience. He can share this experience with doctors, nurses, family members, and even relatives that can't visit the medical facility. The pictures, as with the actual visit, are a distraction from the medical experience that is unfolding. Take the time to include photos in your visit - it will be worth the effort.