Dog Volunteer Training

Paws and Tails University

paws and tails university

DOG 101

SICSA is always looking for talented and passionate individuals to help us support and care for the animals in our care.

If you are interested in volunteering and working directly with our dogs, please complete the Dog 101 training. There are two parts to the Dog 101 course:

Watching the Dog 101 Training Video
Passing the Orientation Post-Test

Dog 101 Training video

Dog 101 Post Test

Note: Kids between the ages of 8-14 can participate in cat and dog kennel activities or Paw Partners with their parent or guardian. Our Parent-Youth-Partner Program (PYPer) teaches children the importance of treating animals humanely and will prepare them for the responsibility of owning a pet, while allowing them to work side-by-side with a parent or guardian. Questions? Scroll down to read more about our program or visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) About Volunteering

We appreciate any time volunteers devote to SICSA! However, we greatly depend on volunteers coming in on a regular basis for dog walking or cat kennel cleaning, as well as various other events. We ask that SICSA volunteers complete at least four hours of service per month. These hours can be split based on volunteer schedule, and we have a convenient, online system that volunteers utilize to sign up for shifts. We ask that volunteers sign up for these shifts ahead of time so that we know who is coming in and can plan schedules accordingly.

Volunteers are considered active provided they have volunteered at least once in the last six months. Volunteers who have been inactive for a year or more will be asked to retake training classes.

Thank you for your interest in group volunteering or community service opportunities at SICSA! Due to a number of variables, we are not always able to accommodate groups of volunteers. To inquire about possible opportunities, please contact SICSA’s Volunteer Manager, Leah O’Malley at lomalley@sicsa.org or call (937) 294-6505 ext. 25.

Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate court- appointed community service at this time.

After completing orientation, volunteers may choose to take additional instruction for animal care. Dog 101 is the basic dog handling class to allow volunteers to walk dogs. The first part of Dog 101 is online instruction with a quiz. After successfully completing the quiz, volunteers can sign up for the in-person instruction at SICSA in Pup Town through Volgistics. Cat 101 is the basic cat handling class to allow volunteers to work in Kitty City with the cat enrichment and kennel cleaning. The first part of Cat 101 in online instruction with a quiz. After successfully completing the quiz, volunteers can sign up for the in-person instruction at SICSA through Volgistics.

Unfortunately, we do not offer programs for court ordered community service.

Additionally, if you have ever been convicted of a felony you must disclose the date and the nature of the crime. Information will be kept confidential. If you have been convicted of any violent crimes against people or animals, theft, weapons or drug charges you will not be accepted into our program. Background checks may be required. You must disclose if you are currently under a Labor & Industry claim, or have been released from any other volunteer position. Persons found withholding this information will be terminated immediately.

Available Positions For Adult Volunteers

Animal Care

Objective

To ensure that all dogs are taken on a minimum four walks a day, while socializing and training the dogs using positive reinforcement to increase adoptability.

Responsibilities

Walking dogs from all areas of SICSA's dog kennels.
Handling the dogs in a safe manner at all times, while adhering to SICSA's procedures and training methods.
Working with dogs on basic obedience training, while consistently adhering to SICSA’s positive reinforcement guidelines.
Alerting Animal Care staff members of any medical issues in a timely manner.
Alerting Adoption staff members of any issues which may affect the dog's adoptability.
May include some interaction with members of the public (i.e. answering questions about individual dogs, adoption procedure, etc.)
Must complete Dog 101 instruction.

Responsible for tracking volunteer hours with SICSA's online software, or communicating this information directly to the Volunteer Manager.

Objective

To ensure that all dogs have a clean, safe, comfortable kennel.

Responsibilities

Make sure the dog is in the outside side of the kennel
Clean the kennel with a mop or broom as necessary to remove all debris
Take dirty laundry to the laundry room
Replace blankets and bedding
Provide at least three toys
Make sure the dog has fresh water

Qualifications

Must be 18 years of age or older to participate in SICSA’s adult volunteer program

Training

Must complete required orientation training before working as a kennel help volunteer.

Preferred Commitment

One weekly 2-hour shift. We ask that volunteers complete at least four hours of service per month.

Supervision

Kennel Help volunteers report directly to the Animal Care Technician on duty as well as the Volunteer Manager.

Physical Demands

Able to bend, reach, knell, sit, and stand for prolonged periods as well as lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds
Frequently lifts, carries and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds when moving supplies and cleaning.

Comfortable handling animals with unknown backgrounds as well as consistent exposure to animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.

Housekeeping & Administrative

Objective

To represent SICSA in the community at events such as parades, festivals, concerts, or adoption events. This may include taking adoptable animals into the community to attract potential adopters, as well as educating members of the general public about SICSA’s animal welfare programs.

Responsibilities may include:

Greeting members of the general public in a friendly manner.
Knowledgeable about SICSA’s programs and able to educate the general public about the following: Public Spay/Neuter, Humane Education programs, the Paw Partner and Volunteer programs, and Adoptions.
Working with the Adoption Specialist onsite to promote the adoptability of animals both at the event and at SICSA.
May be responsible for the loading and transport of adoptable animals and/or offsite event materials. Responsible for tracking volunteer hours with SICSA’s online software or communicating this information directly to the Volunteer Services Manager.
Handling SICSA’s adoptable animals at various offsite adoption events.
Staffing a SICSA booth at a community festival – this may also include selling merchandise.
Selling beer or other adult beverages at community festivals or concerts.

Qualifications

Should enjoy working with members of the public and be comfortable handling SICSA’s animals offsite, in various environments (i.e. parades, pet stores, outdoor festivals).

Training

Offsite Event volunteers should complete SICSA’s initial dog and/or cat training, as well as an Offsite Event training course.

Preferred Commitment

One event every 1-2 months. We ask that volunteers complete at least four hours of service per month.

Supervision

Offsite Event volunteers report directly to the staff member leading each event, and also to the Volunteer Coordinator.

Physical Demands

Frequently lifts, carries, and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds when moving supplies, coordinating events/activities, and cleaning.
Comfortable handling animals with unknown backgrounds as well as consistent exposure to animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
Must be comfortable working with and handling animals of varying temperaments.

Access Volgistics

To access Volgistics from home, please use the link below. Volgistics allows you to manage a multitude of aspects within your account: from signing-up for shifts, entering service hours, managing message preferences to updating your contact details and much more!

Visit Volgistics

Please take a moment and confirm your email account is set to receive our Volgistics emails. To do this, go to your Account tab in Volgistics and review the Message Preferences section.

Dog Volunteer Training

DOG 101

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) About Volunteering

Available Positions For Adult Volunteers

Animal Care

Housekeeping & Administrative

Access Volgistics

Support The SICSA Mission

Adoption & Help Center

Hours

Veterinary Services

Hours

Quick Links