P.O.
Box 44176, Baltimore MD 21236
Contact us at Vicki@PetsOnWheels.org
Phone: (410)913-5569 Fax: (410)256-0171
Volunteer
Process
You have a wonderful pet, and have decided that you would enjoy sharing your pet with a sick or lonely person. How can you do that?
- Once we get your
returned application, you and your pet will be scheduled for a screening
to test the temperament of your pet to be sure the pet is appropriate
for this type of job. You will need to bring your pet to a designated
facility for the screening. The processing fee is $30 (payable by cash
or check on the day of screening).
- Assuming your pet
is deemed appropriate for this type of work, we will discuss which facilities
are looking for volunteers in the areas that you prefer. We do ask that
you and your pet make at least one visit per month
- If your pet does
not pass the screening test, all is not lost. You can enroll your pet
in obedience class and try again at a later date.
- You will need to
have your vet fill out a Health Certificate to let us know that your
pet is up to date on all vaccinations, and is healthy. A copy of the
Health Certificate will go into your file with Pets on Wheels and you
will need to give another copy to each facility that you visit. It
is imperative that this is completed annually. If you don’t
follow this procedure, you put yourself, the facility and Pets on Wheels
at risk. If something unexpected happened involving your pet, you would
not be covered by insurance if this information is not current. We will
try to send you a reminder when your next Health Certificate is due,
but ultimately, the responsibility is yours.
- Once you choose
a facility, you should contact the Activity Director and arrange a tour/visit.
Ask the Activity Director if you should bring your pet for that first
visit. We have an expansive list of facilities that are requesting visits,
but if you have a facility in mind that isn’t registered with
Pets on Wheels yet, let us know and we will try to make that happen.
- When you visit
the facility, you will need to sign in on a Pets on Wheels log sheet.
They should be available to you from the Activity Director or you
can get them from us. Please be sure to include your first and last
name and the number of hours spent visiting. Use one sheet per month
and each volunteer team (owner/pet) uses their own sheet. These
log sheets should be kept in a designated area in each facility.
They are to be returned to Pets on Wheels quarterly so we are aware
of how much joy you are spreading. They should be returned to us
by the Activity Director, but it is your responsibility to make
sure they get to us.
- If any of your
contact information changes, please let us know so we know how to
contact you.
- If, for any
reason, you feel the need to change facilities, let us know and
we will find a substitute. Sometimes things just don’t work
out, so don’t hesitate to speak up. Also, if you find yourself
with some free time and would like to visit another facility (or
two), let us know and we will work with you to find another suitable
facility.
- Please do
not take photographs of residents at any facility without written
consent from the facility, the resident or the residents’
Power of Attorney. You can print out a blank copy of our photograph
consent form online.
- If you are
visiting a facility and an incident occurs, it is your responsibility
to contact the Activity Director or Director of Nursing and also
contact the Pets on Wheels coordinator immediately. Communication
is essential in a situation where there is a bite or a scratch.
- We reserve
the right to terminate a volunteer under any circumstance where
the volunteer does not have the best interest of Pets on Wheels
in mind or is not following protocol.
- And lastly, if you can no longer volunteer with Pets on Wheels, please contact us so we can archive your file. If you are comfortable saying so, we would appreciate knowing why you can no longer volunteer.
Remember, we are here for you so don’t hesitate to call or email us. We want this to be an enjoyable experience for you and your pet.
- When you visit
the facility, you will need to sign in on a Pets on Wheels log sheet.
They should be available to you from the Activity Director or you
can get them from us. Please be sure to include your first and last
name and the number of hours spent visiting. Use one sheet per month
and each volunteer team (owner/pet) uses their own sheet. These
log sheets should be kept in a designated area in each facility.
They are to be returned to Pets on Wheels quarterly so we are aware
of how much joy you are spreading. They should be returned to us
by the Activity Director, but it is your responsibility to make
sure they get to us.
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site and its contents are Copyright © Pets on Wheels 1982-2006. All
rights Reserved.