Hello Volunteers!
Thank you for continuing to volunteer in 2022. :)
We know our dog walkers have a lot of signage to read before walking a dog:
It's a lot to take in, but it's important to know the needs of the dog you're walking. In 2022, we will condense the majority of the forms into one easy to read sheet that will be front and center on the dog's kennel- no more searching the kennel for information. This will help make volunteering easier and more successful for volunteers and the dogs. The new signage will look like this on the dog's Kennel:
You will be able to identify:
Who is available to be walked.
If the dog has had a walk that day.
Who has heartworm.
The dog's Reactivity Label (who you would be comfortable walking).
If the dog is in a Buddy Group and who their buddy is.
If the Dog has special treat restrictions.
If the dog has other special instructions (needs socialization, jumps fences, etc...)
Write comments about your time spent with the dog and initial the form after time spent.
The form itself looks like this:
Don't worry, all the colors will remain the same:
Yellow Forms for dogs with Heartworms.
Blue Forms for dogs without Heartworms.
Pink Forms for Expert Walkers Only
Red Forms for dogs who cannot be walked.
Reactivity labels:
Green = Easy
Orange = Moderate
Blue = Advanced
Here is how to read the form:
Please keep in mind that while this form is for volunteers, potential adopters will see the form and it may help dogs get adopted or discourage adopters from adopting. Please continue to write honest constructive feedback about the dog or your walking experience.
We know our volunteers are great at writing feedback about the dogs, but here is an example of what you could write. If you walked a dog who tugged on the leash and jumped on you instead of writing, "Dog has no manners," You could write, "We worked on leash training and staying down when she jumps. She's an excitable dog. She will need continual training."
***Please still hang up a "I'm on A Walk Tag" to alert kennel staff the dog is on a walk. :) We appreciate it.***
This change will start the first week of the year (on a Monday). :) For comments or questions, please email Tricia @ Tricia@spcaswmich.org or come see me in the office.
Thank You.
