This role is advertised by Volunteer West, the volunteer resource centre of Australian Multicultural Community Services on behalf of Vision Australia

ORGANISATION AND PROGRAM INFORMATION

This volunteer sits within Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SED) (a division of Vision Australia) and will assist the puppy caring program.

SED is the only national breeder, trainer and supplier of Seeing Eye Dogs. A key outcome for SED is to ensure ample time, love, patience and money are dedicated to the care of special working dogs that will one day become the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision.

PURPOSE OF VOLUNTEER ROLE

This type of volunteer provides a high standard of care for SED puppies/or dogs in the volunteer’s own home as approved and agreed by SED.

The volunteer will also teach basic obedience (under the guidance of a SED puppy development officer), house manners, eating and toileting on command, and socialise puppies in many different places (restaurants, cinemas, cafes, shopping centres, supermarkets, etc) and walking on lead in a relaxed manner.

KEY DUTIES

The volunteer will:

• Conduct role specific duties of a Puppy Carer:
• Provide lots of loving care and socialisation to a puppy
• Not leave the pup alone, or with someone else for more than 3 hours a day.
• Provide a warm and safe inside space where the puppy can sleep
• Be available to meet with the Puppy Development training staff and your puppy for regular 1 hour visits during business hours (Staff will travel to you or meet in your local area weekly & then monthly once the pup get older)
• Be moderately physically fit and emotionally able to walk a puppy on a daily basis. E.g. taking the dog for regular walks, shopping centre visits, to cafés, on public transport, on socialisation trips and toileting
• Have completed a reference and background check including a police check and working with children check
• Have not been convicted of animal cruelty in Australia or elsewhere
• Reach puppies basic obedience, toilet training, house manners and to walk on lead in a calm and relaxed manner under the guidance of a supervisor
• Supervise puppies to ensure their safety in the puppy play pen (event specific)
• Clean up after puppies using equipment provided
• Able to transport the dog to Kensington or any other location as required
• Report back to your puppy development trainer any pertinent information regarding the dog in care

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Be patient, dedicated and flexible
• Willing and able to follow instructions
• Dog handling skills (enjoys working with dogs)
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Fluent English speaking

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Once the application form has been returned, complete the following;
• External Risk Assessment Form
• Working with Children check (WWCC)
• Police check
• Statutory Declaration (If required)
• Interview & Property Inspection.
• If approved, when puppy is handed over to volunteer, an agreement must be signed between staff member of SED and volunteer.