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Volunteer Handbook

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Volunteer Handbook Volunteer Handbook Updated August 2019 Paws and Think, Inc. c/o Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP 1346 N. Delaware St. Indianapolis, IN 46202-2415 (317) 520-2729 www.pawsandthink.org AUGUST 2019 WELCOME TO PAWS & THINK Dear Volunteer, Welcome to Paws & Think, and thank you for volunteering! Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and because of you, we are able to make a huge difference in the lives of those we serve. Volunteers bring a wealth of skills, knowledge, and experience that allow Paws & Think to provide services and programs that would not otherwise be possible. From our Youth‐Canine Programs to our Animal-Assisted Interventions (“Pet Therapy”) Programs, volunteers are our biggest champions and one of our greatest assets. We hope that you find your volunteer experience with us to be fulfilling and rewarding. This handbook will help you have the best possible experience as a volunteer. It answers frequently asked questions and gives information about the organization, our programs, and your role. We cannot be successful without you. Thank you in advance for helping improve lives through the power of the human‐dog connection. Welcome aboard! Sincerely, Kelsey Burton Executive Director AUGUST 2019 PURPOSE OF THIS HANDBOOK This handbook has been produced to help you become a better Paws and Think, Inc. (“Paws & Think”) volunteer. This book will share with you a little of our mission, history, programs, and policies, as well as all the benefits we will provide to you as a valued volunteer. We do not expect this handbook to answer all of your questions. Our orientation, website, staff and fellow volunteers will also be major sources of information for you. Neither this handbook nor any other verbal or written communication by an employee of Paws & Think, is, nor should it be considered to be, an agreement, contract of employment, express or implied, or a promise of treatment in any particular manner in any given situation. This handbook states only general Paws & Think guidelines. Paws & Think may, at any time, in its sole discretion, modify or vary from anything stated in this handbook, with or without notice. This handbook supersedes all prior handbooks. We hope this handbook will allow you to feel comfortable with us. We depend on you – your success is our success. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. Our staff will gladly answer them. We believe you will enjoy your volunteer work and your fellow volunteers. We also believe you will find Paws & Think to be a great place to volunteer. We ask that you read this handbook carefully, and refer to it whenever questions arise. AUGUST 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME TO PAWS & THINK ................................................................................................. 2 PURPOSE OF THIS HANDBOOK ............................................................................................... 3 SECTION 1 – ABOUT PAWS & THINK....................................................................................... 6 1.1 Our History ....................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Mission Statement ............................................................................................................ 6 1.3 Vision Statement .............................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Affiliations......................................................................................................................... 7 SECTION 2 - VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS ........................................................................... 10 2.1 What You Can Expect From Paws & Think ................................................................... 10 2.2 What Paws & Think Expects From You ........................................................................ 10 SECTION 3 - OUR PROGRAMS ............................................................................................... 11 3.1 Pet Therapy Program ..................................................................................................... 11 3.2 Youth-Canine Programs ................................................................................................ 13 SECTION 4 - GETTING STARTED ........................................................................................... 15 4.1 Volunteer Application & Background Check ................................................................ 15 4.2 Age Requirements .......................................................................................................... 15 4.3 Training ........................................................................................................................... 16 4.4 Volgistics ........................................................................................................................ 16 4.5 Volunteer Assignments ................................................................................................. 17 SECTION 5 – HOW TO BECOME A THERAPY TEAM ............................................................. 19 5.1 Therapy Dog Requirements ........................................................................................... 19 5.2 Steps to Become a Therapy Team ................................................................................ 19 5.3 Two-Year Registration ................................................................................................... 20 SECTION 6 - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ......................................................................... 21 6.1 Opportunities for Volunteers without Dogs ................................................................. 21 6.2 Opportunities for Therapy Teams ................................................................................. 22 SECTION 7 - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .......................................................................... 24 7.1 Absences & Lateness .................................................................................................... 24 7.2 Anti-Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure ..................................................... 24 7.3 Appearance..................................................................................................................... 27 7.4 Background Checks ....................................................................................................... 28 7.5 Cell Phones..................................................................................................................... 28 7.6 Confidentiality ................................................................................................................ 28 7.7 Conflict of Interest .......................................................................................................... 29 7.8 Dismissal ........................................................................................................................ 29 7.9 Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace ............................................................................... 30 7.10 Emergency Closing & Inclement Weather .................................................................. 30 7.11 Equal Opportunity ........................................................................................................ 30 7.12 Expense Reimbursement ............................................................................................. 32 7.13 Feedback & Complaints ............................................................................................... 32 7.14 Gifts, Tips & Soliciting ................................................................................................. 32 7.15 Liability Insurance ........................................................................................................ 33 7.16 Nondiscrimination Policy ............................................................................................ 33 7.17 Photography ................................................................................................................. 33 AUGUST 2019 4 7.18 Public & Media Relations ............................................................................................. 33 7.19 Records Management .................................................................................................. 34 7.20 Resignation ................................................................................................................... 34 7.21 Safety Policy & Reporting Procedure ......................................................................... 34 7.22 Scheduling and Attendance ........................................................................................ 34 7.23 Security ......................................................................................................................... 35 7.24 Social Media Policy ...................................................................................................... 35 7.25 Standards of Conduct .................................................................................................. 36 7.26 Volunteer Status ........................................................................................................... 38 SECTION 8 - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR HANDLERS ............................................. 39 8.1 Time Commitment .........................................................................................................
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