Dog Walker

This volunteer position is for anyone 13 years and older. Volunteers aged 13-15 years old must volunteer with an adult. Volunteers who are 16 years and older can volunteer on their own.

 

Dog Walkers will provide support by ensuring our dogs get a potty break, exercise, and learn lifelong behavior skills.

 

Objective 

Provide exercise, potty breaks, and support behavior skills by utilizing positive reinforcement.

 

Duties 

  • Support modifying dog behavior through repetition and positive reinforcement.
  • Utilizing a Weiss Walkie as a lead or harness
  • Navigating dogs through public spaces
  • Support modifying dog behavior through repetition and positive reinforcement.
  • Provide walks for dogs that need medical support such as physical therapy or potty breaks for dogs with Upper Respiratory Infection
  • Directing clients to staff or Client Service Volunteers during open hours
  • Understand how to read kennel profiles and signage.
  • Report any medical or behavioral changes that are not already noted on the animal’s kennel.

 

Skills Needed 

This is a very physical position. Volunteers must possess strong dog-handling skills and always be observant and aware of their surroundings. Volunteers must be comfortable utilizing only positive reinforcement to encourage wanted behavior. Volunteers must be comfortable with all sizes and all potential breeds of dogs. Volunteers need to be comfortable bending and squatting when leashing dogs.  Volunteers must be comfortable applying WHS skills and techniques. Volunteers must be comfortable with preventing unwanted behaviors such as jumping and barrier reactivity. Volunteers must be comfortable modifying behaviors such as mouthing and pulling. For more information about the behaviors, we work with and some techniques we utilize, please visit: https://www.wihumane.org/behavior/ask-the-experts/dogs 

 

Required Training 

  • Meet & Greet with the Volunteer Coordinator
  • Racine Volunteer Handbook & Waivers – Online Training
  • People-Centered Philosophy – Online Training
  • Dog Handling Videos & Quiz – Online Training
  • In-Person Dog Handling
  • One on One Training with AC/ACT Staff or a veteran Dog Walking Volunteer

 

Commitment/Age Requirement

A minimum of a 6-month commitment is required.

Must be 16 years or older to volunteer solo, 13–15-year-olds can volunteer with an adult

 

Shifts:

We have shifts throughout the day, every day of the week. But our highest need times are from 8:30am-10:30am, 12-2pm, and 4pm-6pm. Later 5pm-7pm shifts are available on most days. If you are interested in that later shift, please let your volunteer coordinator know at your Meet & Greet.

 

We have a variety of shifts available every day of the week, but our current highest needs are:

Mondays 8am-10am (very high need)

Tuesdays 4-6pm (very high need)

Wednesdays 8am-10am (high need)

Thursdays 12pm-2pm

Fridays 12pm-2pm

Saturdays 12-2pm or 4-6pm