Dog Walking (Red/Advanced)

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*TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, FILL OUT OUR VOLUNTEER APPLICATION: forms.gle/XkEgFw6UDFCvP1H58


Dog Walker (Red/Advanced)

Red-level Dog Walking is our most advanced dog walking volunteer position here at Animal Care League (ACL)-these volunteers are dog walking experts! Our Red-level Dog Walkers are expected to provide outdoor exercise and enrichment for all of our shelter’s newly arrived dogs and those who are not yet adoptable.

These volunteers will continue to learn and practice several ways of providing essential enrichment through taking our non-adoptable dogs on nice, long walks; potentially going on day trip adventures together; as well as carrying out individual enrichment plans, created by our Canine Manager, to help Red-level dogs achieve Yellow-level status to become adoptable. Red Dog Walking is the most impactful way to help dogs in need of daily structure and guidance to help them get adopted!

Location(s):

Main shelter: 1011 Garfield, Oak Park, IL. 60304

Availability:

Monday-Sunday: 9-11 am, 1-3 pm, 3-5 pm, & 5-7 pm

Initial Qualifications and Requirements:

• Must have significant shelter dog walking experience within a shelter setting
• Has an expert-level understanding of shelter dog behavior
• Confident in physically handling and communicating with shelter dogs of many sizes, strengths, and personalities
• Able to bend, squat, and stand/walk for extended periods
• Possess the ability to think on one’s feet and react quickly and responsibly
• Must be respectful toward dogs and people, and have a calm demeanor
• Pass an initial Red Dog Walking Assessment with an ACL Dog Walking Mentor
• Participate in 5 Red Dog Walking training sessions within 1 month of passing the initial Assessment
• Pass final Red Dog Walking written and physical dog handling evaluations after completing all initial training

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide outdoor exercise, enrichment, and play for Yellow and Red-level ACL shelter dogs
• Schedule all volunteer shifts prior to arrival
• Adhere to COVID-19 shelter policies and procedures
• Commit to at least 3 two-hour volunteer shifts per month
• Provide at least 1 Red-level dog advocacy task per month: day trips, car rides, etc.
• Adhere to the general policies and procedures of shelter dog spaces and walking routes
• Take 1 ACL Red-level shelter dog through ASBs Orange Dog Training course per year
• Attend A Sound Beginning’s (ASBs) online Intro to Training
• Attend ACLs online Dog 101 training
• Attend ACLs online Event Orientation
• Attend ACLs online New Volunteer Orientation

Volunteer Perks:

• Bond with ACL pets who are in need of your companionship, love, and care
• Meet new people and make new friends
• Encourage our community to get involved in our mission and advocate for ACL pets
• Tap into local animal welfare resources and gain industry knowledge and experience
• Help ACL build organizational capacity so we can save more lives
• Receive a free ACL Volunteer t-shirt, name tag, and other SWAG
• 10% off all ACL merchandise and in our 2nd Chance Thrift Shop
• After 10 hours of service, gain an additional 15% off on all ACL merchandise and 2nd Chance Thrift Shop items
• 1 free annual adoption (after 30 hours of service)
• Eligible to lead projects, teams, or become a volunteer Mentor (after 50 hours of service)