Volunteer Orientation
Summer 2012

Volunteers 16 years of age and older work with our canine friends utilizing a classical conditioning and reward based training program. The program is designed to promote good behavior and improved manners and temperament. Utilizing the behavior modification model will involve a three-level training process, and volunteers will be implementing the new techniques to provide overall enrichment, stress reduction and increased adoptability of our canine furry friends.

Changes to the feline program are coming sometime in the near future, so watch this space for more information. For now, all feline and small mammal volunteers will continue to socialize under the guidelines provided in the orientation session.

To protect volunteers, our pets and the public, all potential volunteers age 16 and older are required to attend Basic Volunteer Orientation. All classes begin at 5:30 pm and are held in the shelter conference room unless otherwise noted. Sessions last approximately 2 1/2 hours, including a tour, and due to seating limitations pre-registration is required. Please scroll down for information about our youth programs!

Tuesday, May 15th....register now, there are still spaces available!!
Monday, June 11th
Tuesday, July 10th

(Note: All dates are subject to change and registered participants will be notified if the need to do so occurs)

If for some reason, none of the listed classes suit your schedule, please contact us, as from time to time, unadvertised classes may be made available (mostly during the school year). Extra classes are typically scheduled during the school year for special interest groups. Since they often don't fill the classroom, other individuals can sometimes be invited to participate.When school is not in session, there is rarely enough demand for more than one class per month. Any group of 10 or more can call to arrange for a special class time.

Children ages 6-12 are invited to join our "Kid's Club". Please click on this link: Kid's Club 2011 for more information. Note: when the registration limit is met, a waiting list will be kept and parents will be notified when space becomes available.

Teens 13-15 years of age interested in volunteering will be able to do so on a limited basis. Teens and at least one parent/guardian over the age of 18 must attend a basic orientation class, and these special training sessions will be conducted on an as-needed basis. To learn more about the teen program, please click here: Teen Volunteer Program

For more information and/or to register for a class or the club, please contact Candy Barnes, Humane Educator at (540) 434-5270 or humane@rhspca.org

If a judge has issued court-ordered community service, the orientation class is not necessary, as court -ordered volunteers do not work directly with the animals. Please call the shelter at (540)434-5270 to make arrangements to perform your hours.