City of Long Beach Animal Care Services

All Volunteers will need to complete at least 10 hours of Tier 1 (non-animal handling) - Dog Kennel Cleaning and the online Fear Free Shelter Course before getting access to the Tier 2 - Dog Handling Training.

Tier 2 Dog Walkers: Volunteers in this role take the dogs housed in our Dog Cottages for potty breaks and walks.

Requirements:

• Attend the Orientation/Tier 1 Training
• Complete at least 10 hours of Tier 1 - Dog Kennel Cleaning & Enrichment shifts
• Complete the Fear Free Shelter Course 
  • This is a free program, but you will need to fill out and upload the volunteer verification form to the Fear Free Shelter page. A member of the LBACS staff will have to sign the form.
• Complete the Dog Handling Training. Once you complete the hours requirement and the Fear Free Shelter Program you will get access to the on-site Dog Handling - Tier 2 Training.

Responsibilities:

-All Dog Handling volunteers are responsible for cleaning up after the dogs during the walk, and spot cleaning kennels.

-Safely walking dogs on approved walk paths.
-Relaying reliable information about a dog's behavior to LBACS staff.
-Relaying reliable information about symptoms of a dog's potential illness to LBACS staff.
-Maintaining or improving a dog's trained behavior as instructed by staff members.
-Properly utilizing safety equipment

Qualifications: 
-Must be 18 years old.  
-Can accurately read dog body language
-Have an understanding that every dog has unique and ever changing physical and behavioral demands and recognize one's own limitations with each animal.
-Must have a positive attitude and enjoy collaborating with volunteers, staff, and any member of the public