Essential Capabilities of Animal Welfare League of Arlington Volunteers
Essential Capabilities of Animal Welfare League of Arlington Volunteers
To safely and effectively serve as a volunteer at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA), candidates must possess the following physical, mental, and emotional capacities.
GENERAL CAPABILITIES
- Eyesight sufficient to move safely in and around shelter, observe animal body language, and read instructions or notes as needed.
- Language sufficient to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Hearing sufficient to hear an animal growling or making sounds indicating fear, distress, or pain.
- Tolerance for allergens associated with dogs, cats, and small companion animals, as well as to chemicals used in grooming or cleaning the shelter facility.
- Proficient in using and navigating the volunteer management system (Volunteer Impact) to schedule shifts, use online training, and log hours.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES FOR ANIMAL SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS
- Quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously
- High level of manual dexterity to leash/harness animals, handle small tools, and properly groom animals
- Ability to walk unaided on unpaved, uneven, rugged, sometimes muddy and slippery terrain when handling or walking dogs outdoors.
- Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness dogs, scrub kennels, and/or pick up an animal, as needed.
- Ability to stand/walk for significant periods of time as required by the volunteer assignment.
- Average sense of smell and touch in order to assess body condition of animals, and to note signs of illness or injury.
- Ability to hear if an animal is growling or making sounds indicating fear or pain.
- Ability to maneuver well in tight spaces and move quickly in order to prevent animals from escaping as required by the volunteer assignment. This requires average vision, hearing, steadiness of hands and body, quick reflexes, physical strength, and mental alertness.
- Ability to tolerate strong and unpleasant odors, fleas, feces, and possible wounds or injuries to animals in AWLA’s care.
- Ability to tolerate a very loud environment due to animal noises.
- Ability to judge an animal’s behavior and use the appropriate voice (ex. soft, strong, or authoritative) in order to calm an animal’s response and/or give commands.
- Physical endurance, willingness, and ability to perform hard and sometimes dirty tasks relating to volunteer roles.
- Immune system that is strong enough to tolerate exposure to zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, mange, etc.
ESSENTIAL MENTAL CAPABILITIES
- Ability to understand, remember and follow exact instructions and procedures.
- Ability to work independently as required by the volunteer assignment.
- Possess reading, writing and communication skills (example: understand words such as quarantine, euthanize and other common industry-related terms), and a mastery of the English language.
- Possess problem-solving skills.
- Recognize potentially dangerous situations when working with the animals and ability to:
o remain calm with animals who show signs of stress
o show good judgment by reacting sensitively, confidently and appropriately
- Ability to effectively communicate with the public including providing customer service and education on topics as it pertains to the volunteer assignment.
- Ability to understand and accept the boundaries between the role of a volunteer and the role of a staff member.
- Possess a professional and positive attitude with a solution-oriented approach when facing challenges.
ESSENTIAL EMOTIONAL CAPABILITIES
- Ability to cope with unexpected animal behavior without assistance.
- Ability to cope with a highly emotionally charged environment with some animals that are homeless, abandoned and/or abused, as well as the reality that some of the animals in our care may be euthanized.
- Ability to understand AWLA’s policies and positions regarding all animals, animal control and other key animal welfare issues.
- Ability and willingness to appropriately/accurately represent all League policies and positions when interacting with the public or otherwise representing the AWLA.
LEVEL OF SUPERVISION
- Once trained, must have the ability to work with minimal supervision; yet must recognize limitations in knowledge and abilities, and ask for help when needed.
- Once trained, must have the ability to work independently as well as with other volunteers and/or staff.
