Animal Handling Volunteer Program
SICSA utilizes a program for animal handling called Open Paw. This innovative program developed by certified trainers and veterinary behaviorists focuses not only on the physical needs of animals in our care but the mental health needs as well. By streamlining and training our staff and volunteers to achieve small goals through our daily operations, the Open Paw program creates quieter kennels with dogs who are lounging on their beds busily chewing on stuffed food dispensing toys; sitting on their bed quietly to be leashed and taken out for walks; learning simple skills such as 'go potty', 'go to your bed', 'stay', 'find it', 'take it' and 'leave it' and learning to automatically sit when approaching or being approached by a person.
The program also creates cats who immediately show interest when someone walks into the rooms in which they are housed. Kittens are taught to play with retracted claws and to inhibit their bites. Cats who have developed handling issues while in the shelter or who are undersocialized are desensitized and counter conditioned to reduce their fears.
All animal handling volunteer opportunties require a commitment to a specific shift on a weekly or minimum of bi-weekly basis. Volunteer opportunties in animal handling are available at the following times seven days a week:
- 7:30 am to 9:00 am - Clean and replenish bedding, food and water in puppy room; dog kennel, cat kennel; scoop boxes in cat kennels; laundry; take dogs out for potty rotation and morning training.
- 9:00 am to 11:00 am - Continue morning training and social exercises; laundry; clean, stuff and deliver Kongs to dogs. Level 1, 2 & 3 exercises for cats and dogs.
- 8:00 am to 12:00 pm -Clean and replenish bedding, food and water in puppy room; dog kennel; cat kennel; scoop boxes in cat kennel; laundry; take dogs out for potty rotation and morning training. Level 1, 2 & 3 exercises for cats and dogs.
- 11:00 am to 1:00 pm -Clean and replenish bedding, food and water in puppy room; dog kennels; cat kennel; scoop boxes in cat kennels; laundry; take dogs out for potty rotation and mid-day exercise
- 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -Continue afternoon training and social exercises; laundry; clean, stuff and deliver Kongs to dogs. Level 1, 2 & 3 exercises for cats and dogs.
- 11:00 am to 3:00 pm - -Clean and replenish bedding, food and water in puppy room; dog kennel; cat kennel; scoop boxes in cat kennel; laundry; take dogs out for potty rotation and afternoon training. Level 1, 2 & 3 exercises for cats and dogs.
- 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Finish laundry, re-stuff Kongs, spot clean kennels, mop and secure areas for closing.
- 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Clean and replenish bedding, food and water in puppy room; dog kennels; cat kennel; scoop boxes in cat kennels; laundry; take dogs out for potty rotation and evening exercise.
- 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Clean and replenish bedding, food and water in puppy room; dog kennels; cat kennel; scoop boxes in cat kennels; laundry; take dogs out for potty rotation and evening exercise.
The following volunteer opportunties are available during open adoption hours:
- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (Saturday) - Level 3 dog volunteers meet with adopters and their dog they have chosen to instruct the adopter on how to continue the skills the dogs have learned while at SICSA.
- 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Sunday) - Level 3 dog volunteers meet with adopters and their dog they have chosen to instruct the adopter on how to continue the skills the dogs have learned while at SICSA.
Open Paw Needs:
You must attend the dog sessions in sequential order (ie. you cannot complete Level 2 until you have completed Level 1). Each session is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.
Open Paw Dog training involves four levels of training for volunteers. Each volunteer can progress to whichever level they feel comfortable with.
At it's completion, the program will allow more one on one time between the animals and staff and volunteers. Structured socialization will build and enhance adoptable skills for the animals resulting in shorter length of stay in the shelter, fewer behavior problems while in the shelter and lower post-adoption behavior issues.
A general description of the Levels of Open Paw Dog are as follows:
- Level 1 - Forming Positive Associations and the Reduction of Unintentional Classical Conditioning.
- Level 2 - Entering the kennel, being inside the kennel with the dog, exiting the kennel without the dog.
- Level 3 - Multiple facets - Exiting the kennel with the dog; teaching basic behaviors that build the dog's skill level increasing the adoptability and retention in the home.
- Level 4 -Off leash training. NOTE: All Volunteers wishing to attend a Level 4 training must be audited on their Level 2 and 3 skills.
BEFORE signing up for training please make sure you have:
- Attended the volunteer orientation with our Volunteer Coordinator
- Shadowed in the area(s) you wish to volunteer.
- You must RSVP for an Open Paw training session as there are limited spots available. Sessions are canceled without notice if no one has RSVP'd.
Level One and Level Two Dog Training sessions:
Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, August 10, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, October 12, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, December 14, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Level Three dog Training sessions:
Sunday, July 13, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Level Four Dog Training Sessions:
In order to attend a Level 4 training session, volunteers must show they are proficient in Levels 1, 2 and 3 activities. Audits of these skills along with Level 4 training will be done at the following times:
Open Paw Cat training involves five levels of training for volunteers. Each volunteer can progress to whichever level they feel comfortable with.
At it's completion, the program will allow more one on one time between the animals and staff and volunteers. Structured socialization will build and enhance adoptable skills for the animals resulting in shorter length of stay in the shelter, fewer behavior problems while in the shelter and lower post-adoption behavior issues.
A general description of the Levels of Open Paw Cat are as follows:
- Level 1 - Forming Positive Associations and the Reduction of Unintentional Classical Conditioning. Cleaning Protocols for Cat Areas.
- Level 2A - Fearful Cats - Reducing Fear in adult cats
- Level 2K - Normal Kitten Development - Teaching kittens how to play with their claws retracted, inhibit play biting and to play without kicking their back feet on people.
- Level 3 - Adult cats who play inappropriately - too rough, rambunctious and potentially out of control play.
- Level 4 - Skill development in hard to place cats - Long term residents, senior cats, those with special needs. This will utilize clicker training. (No prior clicker experience required!)
- Level 5 - Working with extremely undersocialized cats.
Level One Cat Training sessions:
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, August 24, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, September 28, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, October 26, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, November 30, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Noon. RSVP for this session.
Level Two 'K' (Kitten) Training Sessions:
I am interested in reserving a time for kitten training.
Level Two 'A' Cat Training sessions:
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 1:00 pm. RSVP for this session.
Level Three Cat Training sessions:
TBA
Level Four Cat Training sessions:
I am interested in reserving a time for kitten training.
Level Five Cat Training Sessions:
I am interested in this training
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