Big Brothers and Big Sisters

Big Brothers & Big Sisters are responsible for providing a peer support role as a liaison between Puppy Raisers and the Head Trainer and Chief Administrator.  Big Brothers & Big Sisters work with their assigned puppy, their raisers, and our administrators and trainers.

This role is a one to two-year commitment.  Big Brothers and Big Sisters will follow and work with one assigned puppy as he/she moves through the (up to two year) program.

They will work to ensure that puppies and their raisers are receiving everything from the program that they need and that the program is receiving everything that it needs to maintain proper records of the puppy and his/her progress.
Specific Responsibilities include:
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1. Preparing puppy raisers for the arrival of their puppy.
2. Ensuring that puppies are receiving the proper veterinary preventative care in a timely manner, including vaccinations, fecal checks, heartworm preventative, and flea and tick prevention.
3. Ensuring that puppy raisers have all the tools needed to do their job effectively.
4. Ensuring that puppy raiser swaps are completed, and that the proper paperwork is completed for each swap.
5. Ensuring that puppies have had their dental visits in a timely manner.
6. Coordinating the appropriate timing for spay or neuter between the raiser, trainers, and the administration.  Ensuring that puppies have hip x-rays and elbow x-rays when required.
7. Ensuring that puppies are properly groomed when needed.
8. Ensuring that puppies that are moved to new raisers have a smooth and easy transition, and that the new raiser is fully aware and prepared with information and the proper equipment, for the new puppy.
9. Ensuring that puppies are at as many field trips as possible and that they are attending the required practice sessions.
10. Keeping track of equipment loaned to raisers including vests, gentle leaders, crates, interactive toys, feeders, harnesses, training collars, etc.
11. Providing breeders with bi-yearly updates as required.
12. Acting as a liaison between the puppy raiser and the trainers and administrators when necessary.  The Puppy Big Brother/Big Sister is expected to be a peer support position designed to give raisers an additional person to communicate with when trainers and administrators are busy, or unapproachable for any reason.

 
The skills required to be a Big Brother or Big Sister include:

1. Organizational skills.
2. A willingness to work with a variety of volunteers and with administrators.
3. A willingness to transport dogs on occasion.
4. A general understanding of dog and veterinary care.
5. A willingness to learn, understand, and comply with A.C.T.S. policies.
6. A willingness to commit to up to two years.

 
Big Brothers & Big Sisters are NOT expected to:

1. Be dog trainers.
2. Be administrators.
3. Be supervisors.
4. Be disciplinarians.

 

Big Brother/Big Sister Volunteer Application Form