Dog Walker Meeting 2018
Welcome! Tonight s Agenda Looking at the Numbers-Year to Date Stats Policy Updates & Reminders Assignment & Program Updates! Adoption Success Stories Foster Updates What s Ahead? Q&A s
A Look at the Numbers
Intake and Adoptions Year to Date Intake % Change 2017 1,992 2018 2,133 +7.1% Adoptions % Change 2017 1,567 2018 1,572 +0.3%
Did You Know?? From August 2017 August 2018 how many more animals have we taken in as a result of hoarding cases?
Dog Care Hours Year to Date Dog Walking Hours YTD (as of September) 18,000 17,500 17,000 16,500 16,000 15,500 15,000 14,500 14,000 Dog Walking Hours YTD-September 2016 2017 2018 15,199 15,779 17,450 Dog Walking Hours YTD-September +18.8%
A Closer Look at Dog Care DOG CARE HOURS 780 676 945 Walking Blue Dot 2046 7,147 Holding Pack Hikes Head Start Play Groups 2,880
Current HSHV Live Release Rate Save Rate is
YOUR WORK IMPROVES & SAVES LIVES A look at a few of the MANY lives
Norma Terrified when arriving at the shelter. Spent a lot of time back in IOQ. Made progress with staff, but needed exposure to a variety of people. She was often very conflicted and was bonded to certain people. Over time and with lots of positive reinforcement from volunteers she become more comfortable with various people. Came a long way and ended up getting adopted.
Auden Fearful when arriving at the shelter and was in behavior treatment back in holding. Head start worked with him to gain confidence, basic manners, and cues and he also joined play groups. Made great progress through the help of head start, walkers, and play groups. Eventually went out to foster and was adopted by his foster family!
Arran Exuberant little boy that took a while for us to be able to assess because of his energy level. Got him into Head Start and they started to work with him and his manners. Ended up going into foster a couple different times but finally stuck with one foster. Literally stuck, they ended up adopting him and as of 2 weeks ago he moved down to Florida to enjoy the life of sunshine.
Pebbles Was with us just over a year. Super sweet and cuddly little girl that was initially pretty nervous then her wiggly side started to come out. Spent some time in Head Start but also a lot of time with some wonderful fosters. Ended up coming back for Clear the Shelter and got adopted!
Trooper & Libby From hoarding case. Super sweet and friendly sometimes a bit too friendly. Started with Holding Walkers and Head Start team just working with them on their manners. Then the inclusion of the Adoptables walkers once they became available. The biggest part was once again keeping them sane while their case was being resolved.
Ludo Sweet block head of a boy that came to us, got adopted then returned. Volunteers spent countless hours sitting with him, working on manners and trying to get him to walk without ripping drainage pipes from the ground.
Thank You!
2018 VOLUNTEER SATISFACTION SURVEY
OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM As of September 27 th, 2018: 2, 728 volunteers overall 528 Junior Volunteers 104 Tiny Lions 472 Foster Volunteers On an average day: Average # of volunteer shifts: 152 Average # of volunteer shifts empty: 33 Average # of volunteers each day: 105
249 Surveys Completed! Survey Demographics HOW LONG SURVEY RESPONDENTS HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERING AT HSHV Less than 6 months 1-2 years 3-5 years 5-10 years 10 years + 14% 5% 19% 20% 42%
Volunteer Preparedness 97.6% of volunteers feel well prepared to perform their duties as a volunteer 93.3% of volunteers find procedures for volunteer assignments clear and easy to follow 100% 90% 80% 70% I feel equipped to handle the aspects of my volunteer duties 60% 50% 40% 30% Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree 20% 10% 0% Physically Equipped Emotionally Equipped
Emotional Impact of Volunteering 97.7% of volunteers enjoy their role as a volunteer 98.1% of volunteers feel their volunteer assignments are meaningful to them "I feel appreciated for my contributions as a volunteer" 2% 1% "I feel my time is well spent volunteering" 3% 0% 0% 5% Strongly Agree 25% Strongly Agree 28% Agree Neutral Agree Neutral 64% Disagree Strongly Disagree 72% Disagree Strongly Disagree
Volunteer Interactions 89.7% of volunteers feel they can readily receive support and guidance from other adult volunteers. "I enjoy working alongside HSHV adult volunteers" 0% "I enjoy working alongside HSHV junior volunteers" 1% 6% 40% 54% Strongly Agree Agree Neutral 24% 40% Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree 35% Disagree
Volunteer Department Interactions I feel respected by the Volunteer Department Staff Strongly Agree 69.3% Agree 22.4% Neutral 4.7% Disagree 2.4% Strongly Disagree 1.2% "I feel I can discuss my questions and concerns with the volunteer department" 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree "I receive timely and useful communication from the volunteer department staff" 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
Policy Changes, Updates & Reminders
**Other cage card stickers that may be present on the cage card are not considered in the Order of Visitation Review CAT COMFORTING & DOG/PUPPY VISITATION Sequence FIRST - not sick or being treated for non-contagious medical issue Kittens/Puppies then Cats/Dogs Healthy/Non-Contagious = NO sticker** LAST - on medication for URI, kennel cough or other contagious issue Kittens/Puppies then Cats/Dogs watch sticker** Only dogs 4 months and older are walked.
Volunteer Facebook Group Closed group, must be a volunteer to join A place for updates, stories, pictures, or volunteers needed requests. Posts containing sensitive topics such as death, euthanasia, or killing/injury to animals are not to be posted. Posts should not include solicitations of goods/money from other volunteers. If there are any questions/concerns about any HSHV related matter, contact the volunteer department rather than posting on social media.
Volunteer Facebook Group Posts that do not fit within the social media policies will be removed. If a post needs to be removed, the volunteer will be notified by Karen or Tawn explaining why. Volunteers may be removed from the facebook group after 2 posts. We want to make sure the tone of the group remains positive. Respecting that not everyone wants to know or read about certain topics If you ever have questions, please just ask. We are here and want to help.
Cell Phone Policy Review For the safety of you and our dogs please Sign out from your assignment if you need to take a call. We understand emergencies come up. Please no talking on your cell phone while walking or while sitting in the kennel. No taking pictures or videos while walking. Not only for safety reasons, but the dogs deserve to have our attention. If you are sitting in a kennel and would like to take a picture you can.
Other General Reminders Dog Walker Station Just a friendly reminder that this is a shared space, so please try and pick up any messes that you may leave. Make sure shared aprons pockets are emptied. Please make sure there is no open food/dog treats left out in the open. There is a refrigerator to place your water bottles in if you would like. Dog Walker Schedule Please sign up as early in advance as possible so other volunteers and staff know who is coming in. As reminder, to stay active, we ask that volunteers commit to at least 4 hours a month.
Staying Active Monthly inactive reports are run Less than 4 hours/month you will receive an inactive notice by deadline date in email. If you do not log at least 4 hours, walking assignment will be removed from your account which then means needing to take training again. We understand you are busy! Lots of walking times Can start walking as early as 7:30am every day of the week. Can walk up until closing: 6pm M-W; 7pm Th-F; 5pm Sa-Su Let us know if you will be away from dog walking for a period of time. We want to help!
Assignment & Program Updates
PLAY GROUPS
Benefits of Play Groups This program began in 2016 after an initial training program from Dogs Playing for Life. For dog-to-dog issues, a socially healthy dog can be much more effective than trainers/humans. Higher receptivity to training due to the mental and physical outlet of play groups. What may be considered inappropriate play with a person can be natural between dogs. Enhanced quality of life for a shelter dog. Packs create a more natural environment for overcoming fear, anxiety, and reactivity.
New this Year Lead Handler Training! Volunteers can now train to lead play groups! Behavior Team will select which dogs and what the groups will be.
Play Groups- Who Does What? Runner Transporter of Dogs to and from the play yard. No actual running involved. Blue dot restrictions still apply. Handler Lead Handler Assistant to the Lead Handler. Extra set of eyes on the dogs. Takes direction from Lead Handler on when to use interruptions/correction tools. May work the gate if asked by Lead Handler Manages the play group. Decides which dogs enter and leave the yard through the gate. Reviews notes from behavior staff and then de-briefs group. Behavior Lead Handlers for play groups for when there are no volunteer Lead Handlers. Provides all notes on groups and select which dogs will be in which group based on play style (i.e. rough & rowdy, gentle & dainty)
Getting Started with Play Groups Monthly reports are done each month and emails sent for each stage of training Runner 10 Hours of Dog Walking Handler 8-10 Hours of Runner Experience Lead Handler Completed Handler Certification Complete Runner training and view video on the resource library. Can start signing up for runner shifts! Blue dot restrictions still apply. Review Handler Training in resource library Once reviewed, email volunteer dept. Handler Shadowing assignment opens up Behavior provides a training checklist for you to complete. Behavior will sign off when completed & reviewed. Start signing up for Handler assignment. Review Lead Handler Self- Study in resource library. Behavior will start a Lead Handler Training Log Must complete at least 20 hours as Lead Handler under staff observation. Complete final play group assessment. Take and pass online certification quiz. Behavior signs training log and you are ready to lead play groups!
Get Started Today! Start by signing up for those runner shifts (once you have reached 10 hours and receive the email). We are always looking to add to our group of handler volunteers. More volunteer participation=larger groups. Currently, we have 2 volunteers who are Lead Handlers and are now leading play groups! Play groups are a great way to learn more about dog behavior and they are FUN!! Play group times are usually M, T, TH, F 1-3pm; W 10-12p; check schedule as weekend groups are being added!
PARVO PUPPY SOCIALIZATION
Program Overview The Parvo Ward began this year. A way to treat/isolate those dogs/pups who were confirmed as having parvo or were under watch. In addition to providing excellent medical care (save rate of 87%), pups also needed social interaction during critical development phase they can spend weeks here! Shelter med reached out to us and we developed this program to provide enrichment/care to these dogs.
How Volunteers Help Socialization. Visit, spend time with these guys. At times may be too sick to play, but can just be a calming presence in the kennel. Only visits, no walking these guys. Force Feedings. Helps with management of symptoms Can be done when visited with. Documentation of Visits and/or Feedings This provides valuable information to staff as they can t always be present in the room.
What We Cover in Training Overview of Parvo Volunteering in the Parvo Ward Entering/Exiting How to use PPE Practice Gowning Up Tour of IOQ & the Parvo Ward Overview of Force Feedings
Volunteering in the Parvo Ward Volunteers who are approved IOQ walkers and/or Love Train Captains can sign up for training. You will receive an email from volunteer department if eligible to take the training Next training is Sunday, November 11 th from 1:30-3:30pm. Must be comfortable seeing dogs that are sick and possibly lethargic. Will see diarrhea, vomit, and/or blood. Dogs will sometimes require IV fluids; will see IV s.
OTHER PROGRAM UPDATES/REVIEW
Head Start Program Open to walkers who are active blue dot walkers and who also have at least 75 hours of walking experience. Will hold trainings on as needed basis, depending on the amount of openings. Trainings are led by Angela from behavior. New this year! We have started doing continuing education sessions specific to head start trainers. We had a training on October 21 st, but email me if you would like to discuss the program more and/or be considered for future training classes.
Off-Site vs. Shelter Breaks & Overnights Off-Site (40 hours of dog walking) Taking a dog to a scheduled HSHV event off-site Behavior selects dogs which are approved to go to events. Review off-site procedures, complete form (in binder at DW station) Shelter Break (20 hours of dog walking) Taking a dog for a short period of time to a park or another location off-site for a break from the shelter. See Front Desk Overnights (20 hours of dog walking) Schedule for an overnight into your home. If you are not a foster currently, need to complete form from Ann, our foster manager. See Front Desk
Adoption Successes!
BUDDY (formerly known as DENNIS) Came in as a stray Scared, scared, scared Until he wasn t anymore! And today
DOMINO (formerly known as POLO) Came in as a stray Hangs out with his people each day as an office dog Has figured out he can counter surf Has very cute ears
FAITH I ll let her tell you
MADDIE (formerly known as STELLOISE) Seized after being abandoned Only 9 months old, but very fearful and nervous Spent her time in holding, where she met holding walker Kim R Has gained confidence in her home!
ZELDA (formerly known as SADIE MAE) Came in on the love train Volunteer Laura B was assigned to her for transport help After 45 minutes of snuggles Laura knew she couldn t let her go She has two doggy siblings and is attending puppy classes at HSHV
BEOWULF (formerly known as EROS) Spent ~2 months at HSHV Play group rock star Attended many education events Everyone wondering why he wasn t getting adopted until
Foster Updates
This Past Year 421 Foster Dog and Puppy Placements. Puppies - too young- 187 Bottle babies - 16 Adopt from foster 93 Parvo watch - 22 Medical- 6 Nursing mama's- 13 Special Needs- 65
Foster Happenings Want to become a foster? Attend an orientation: Thursday, November 14 th 6-8p Saturday, November 17 th 9-11am Help Feed the Animals Fundraiser for the Foster Program November 2 nd at 7:30pm Located at Bona Sera restaurant in Ypsilanti Live music and is FREE! Guests can make donations to the foster program Invite your friends! More information on the events calendar at www.hshv.org
What s Ahead?
Looking at 2019 Dog Walker Continuing Education Series with Angela will return! January 6 - You Get What You Pay For: Using Reinforcement to Modify Behavior February 3 - Working with Challenging Behaviors in the Shelter Setting March 3 - Understanding Canine Body Language and Behavior April 7 - What Dogs Need: The Importance Choice for Behavioral Health IOQ Walking. Working on revising training and reviewing qualifications to work back in this area. Looking at overall need for walkers. Continue to increase participation in Play Groups! Scheduling? With volunteer led groups look at offering more weekend sessions.
Q&A s Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the dog walking program! You make a difference!