2023 Open Arms Challenge

 View Only
Back to discussions
Expand all | Collapse all

Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

  • 1.  Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-08-2023 02:41 PM

    Our nonprofit, Buster's Paw Prints, does a lot of community pet care and food distribution for the dogs of people experiencing homelessness. We have two volunteers that assist with transporting clients and/or their dogs to veterinary appointments but we often have events where we need more than the two of us to check-in clients, photograph pets, etc. 

    One of our goals in the 2023 Open Arms Challenge is to provide training materials for volunteers who may want to expand into this role.  I've struggled to find good training resources to for this particular topic. 

    Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!



    ------------------------------
    Nichole Bethurem
    President
    Buster's Paw Prints
    Tehama County, CA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-09-2023 05:29 AM

    Boy this would be great help for us too as we are working on Pat Day out with our Rescue along with just increasing our volunteer list .   I'm hoping someone has some materials that can help guide me. Thanks



    ------------------------------
    Laura Coan
    Volunteer
    Novastar Rescue
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-09-2023 10:13 AM
      |   view attached

    Hi, Laura:

    I think the recruitment, engagement and retention tips in this foster course would be useful, especially around marketing: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/how-to-place-more-pets-in-foster-homes

    Also, Jordana Moerbe, who managed the Austin Pets Alive! shelter clinic, emphasizes having job descriptions for volunteer roles. It elevates and clarifies the roles. Here are some med clinic volunteer JDs as examples, and I've uploaded a Cat Marketing Photographer job description, which I pulled from https://americanpetsalive.org/resources, and you can find more there.  

    Erika



    ------------------------------
    Erika Shaffer
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Cat Marketing Team_ Photographer_9_22.pdf   60 KB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-09-2023 08:08 AM

    My organization also works with the unhoused population and I created a training that I am happy to share with you. It includes information on the role of the volunteer, crisis communication, trauma informed care, and creating healthy boundaries. I'm not exactly sure that that is the type of thing that you are looking for, but if it is, I am happy to share my training.  You can email me at volunteer@chesapeakehumane.org. 



    ------------------------------
    Shoshana Mostoller
    Chesapeake Humane Society
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-09-2023 08:41 AM
    Hi Shoshana! 
    I would love to get a copy of the training for working with unhoused populations.  It sounds like exactly what we are looking for.

    Best,
    Nichole Bethurem



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-09-2023 10:29 AM
      |   view attached

    I have attached our training to this reply. It has some information about our particular programs (crisis boarding, pet pantry, low-income clinic), but after that it discusses the role of volunteers, values, trauma-informed care, crisis communication, and healthy boundaries. Please reach out if you have any questions.

    Thanks!

    Shoshana



    ------------------------------
    Shoshana Mostoller
    Chesapeake Humane Society
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Crisis Boarding Training for Volunteers.pdf   5.02 MB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-09-2023 10:39 AM

    This is fantastic, Shoshana. Thank you for sharing!



    ------------------------------
    Heather Miller
    Communications & Development Manager
    Cat Adoption Team (CAT)
    Sherwood OR
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-09-2023 08:21 AM

    Hi, Nichole:

    Thank you for doing this! I'm not sure exactly what kind of training your looking for. HeARTs Speak has great materials on taking engaging photos of pets. Here's one: https://heartsspeak.org/guide-to-taking-great-cell-phone-photos/, but check out all their resources at https://heartsspeak.org/marketing-resource-center/

    Maddie's University has a Customer Service course that could be helpful: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/customer-service-for-animal-shelters

    If you provide a clearer idea of the kinds of training you're looking for, I may be able to help more, and I'm sure others as well!

    Erika



    ------------------------------
    Erika Shaffer
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-10-2023 07:26 PM

    Hi Nichole. I think Shoshana's resource is probably exactly what you're looking for, but I'd also encourage you and/or your volunteers to attend My Dog Is My Home's upcoming Co-Sheltering Conference. For just general knowledge, there's a short talk on Day 1 called "Homelessness 101 for Animal Welfare Professionals. Promoting Understanding for Trauma-Informed Responses." that might be a useful orientation for any volunteers who will be working with people experiencing homelessness.

    https://www.mydogismyhome.org/2023-cosheltering-conference

    ------------------------------
    Christine Kim
    My Dog Is My Home
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Training for Volunteers Assisting Unhoused Clients

    Posted 03-11-2023 03:40 AM

    Yes! I can't believe that I didn't think to suggest that! The My Dog Is My Home conference will have a bunch of good resources.  The workshop, "Incorporating Trauma-Informed Principles into Animal Shelters" would also be great. That is also on day 1. There are so many great sessions to check out!



    ------------------------------
    Shoshana Mostoller
    Chesapeake Humane Society
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content