Dog Walking

Dog Walking

Overview: Provide vital socialization, exercise, and enrichment to dogs in the shelter that have been behaviorally evaluated and cleared for volunteer interaction.

Prerequisites: 
- Disease Control Webinar
- Canine Communication Webinar
- Basic Dog Skills Course (In Person)
- Advanced Dog Skills Course (In Person, necessary only for handling more challenging dogs)

Job Duties:
- Provide proper socialization and enrichment based on the dogs' individual needs
- Provide dogs with their daily walks (on APF property)
- Make observations and document dog behaviors
- Ensure that the dog returns to a clean, dry kennel after walking and socializing
- Ensure that dog has adequate water in kennel after walking and socializing

Days & Hours Needed: Dog Walking shifts are currently available for volunteer sign up on Sundays between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Requirements: Communicate in a way that demonstrates and promotes collaboration, cooperation, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to foster a positive work environment, teamwork, and productivity. Other requirements as follows:
  • Must follow the mission of the APF
  • Must attend New Volunteer Orientation
  • Must attend Animal Handling training
  • Knowledge of APF policies and protocols
  • Ability to represent the APF in a profession manner in all situations with the public, volunteers and staff
  • Must be observant and able to communicate effectively
  • Knowledge of cleaning and disinfecting protocols
  • Must read animal documentation prior to removing animals from enclosures
  • Ability to learn and quickly adapt to changes in programs and procedures
  • Organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks
  • Ability to stand and/or walk for up to 2 hours
  • Must be able to squat and bend, lift and reach, and lift up to 50 lbs
  • Able to withstand exposure to animal odors, diseases, possible contagious conditions, bites, scratches, animal waste, and moderate noise levels as well as cleaning chemicals.