ASSISTANCE DOGS OF THE WEST
     VOLUNTEER APPLICATION 
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    Whether you choose to support ADW financially by making a gift online, or want to share your time and talents through various volunteer opportunities, we appreciate your involvement in helping us build successful partnerships between clients and dogs.

    GENERAL QUESTIONS

    VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
    Must be at least 18 years old.

    Puppy Raisers: The dogs are between 6 months to 1 year old. Puppy Raisers should be committed to the process as they provide valuable service for the dogs and ADW by reinforcing the trainings and providing different experiences.  Puppy Raisers can be full time, weekends only or respite; Puppy Raisers must participate in Introductory Puppy Raiser classes (1 hour/week for 8 – 12 weeks); Puppy Raisers learn Assistance Dogs of the West cues;  Once you have gained the experience and skill to take a dog home, you will be matched with the appropriate dog; You can then have the dog in the home for bonding, socialization and to have new experiences; Puppy Raisers must participate in 90% of the Advanced Puppy Raiser classes (1 hour/week while the dog is in the home); Public Access – The Puppy Raiser must gain the skills to pass the public access test.  These skills are taught in the advanced classes. Puppy Raisers will complete all ADW required documentation.  Puppy Raisers must be able to provide crate, leash, food, treats/treat bag, grooming kit; must have a fenced yard.

    Weekend Puppy Raisers will attend Advanced Puppy Raiser class on Thursday evening and will take the dog home after class.  The Puppy Raiser will return the dog to the ADW office on Monday morning. 
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    Daily Puppy Raisers will attend Advanced Puppy Raiser class on Thursday evening and will take the dog home after class for the weekend.  Puppy Raisers will drop the dogs off Mondays between 7:45 am and 8:00 am for Albuquerque WCC. Puppy Raisers will drop the dogs off Tuesday through Thursday between 7:45 am and 9:30 am.  Puppy Raisers will pick the dogs up each afternoon between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Puppy Raisers will feed breakfast and ADW Staff will feed dinner.
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    Puppy Sitters: Puppies are from birth to 16 weeks. Ensure the health, wellness and safety of the mother and the puppies; monitor feeding/rotation of the puppies; monitor the temperature of the whelping box; gently snuggle and cuddle the puppies after they are 2 weeks old; learn ADW Cues; clean puppy area; feed mother dog and puppies; walk mother dog; keep water refreshed; read daily log and document activities during the shift, noting behavioral changes; housekeeping duties that may include laundry, keeping studio and pen clean; be on time to relieve ADW staff or volunteers; may support Puppy  Enrichment Center with overnight coverage.

    The puppies change significantly during this time so the responsibilities will change as they grow.  The following are guidelines of volunteer duties for the development stages for the pups:

    Birth to three weeks – more observation and intensive monitoring of the pups; little handling of the pups; ensuring pups are properly feeding; significant amount of note taking and record keeping.

    Three to eight weeks – lots of changes for the puppies; pups are moving around a lot and are engaging with Mom, siblings and humans; continued observation and monitoring; teething begins; pups move to larger pen; volunteers are responsible for feeding; litter box cleanup.

    Eight to twelve weeks – more challenging, complex expectations for volunteers; managing to puppy behavior (teething, jumping, gate crashing); feeding pups individually.

    Twelve to sixteen weeks – volunteers are required to attend Advanced Volunteer Training classes conducted by ADW professional trainers.  This will provide the skills needed to support the training of the pups as they get older; more intensive task training; higher expectations for pups and volunteers; socialization period is closing and pups are bigger and stronger, approaching adolescence.
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    Dog Snuggles / Grooming / Feeding:  Work with dogs 16 weeks and older at the ADW training center.  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Snuggle with the dogs and give them one on one attention.  This will include grooming and working with the dogs on mental games/dog puzzles. Names of the available dogs will be listed on the volunteer whiteboard and supplies will be set aside for the Volunteer.  The end of the shift includes assisting with feeding the dogs that are at the ADW training center.
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    Rail Trail Walks:  Work with dogs 16 weeks and older at the ADW training center.  Mondays and Fridays, 9:00 am to 10:00 am. ADW Trainers will lead volunteers on walks on the rail trail.  Volunteers will be trained on proper walking protocols. Once volunteers become proficient with walking the dogs, they will take a dog for a walk on their own.  Names of the available dogs will be listed on the volunteer whiteboard. Supplies and a profile that describes the dog’s walking habits will be provided. Volunteers will complete a feedback report after each walk.
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    Relaxation Runs / Play Time (Replaces Hiking with an ADW Canine):      Work with dogs 16 weeks and older. Tuesday & Thursday, 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Volunteers take a dog to the single-use dog run at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter or to the dog parks at Salvador Perez or Fort Marcy if no other dogs are in the run. This training is designed to give the dogs exercise through play, walking and running. Multiple volunteers can take dogs at the same time to allow for more dog play. Names of the available dogs will be listed on the volunteer whiteboard. An ADW Staff member will assist with getting the dog ready and into the car. Supplies and a profile that describes the dog’s behavior will be provided. Volunteers will complete a feedback report after each outing.
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    Doggie DIY Workshops:  10:00 a.m. to noon every other Monday. Develop new enrichments for the Puppy Enrichment Center and for dogs at the ADW training center. These hands-on workshops are led by an ADW Trainer and we will create age appropriate enrichments for the Puppy Enrichment Center. Prepare supplies for the dogs at the ADW training center, i.e. marrow bones, kongs with treats, etc.
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    Vet Transport:  Accompany ADW staff on veterinary appointments to handle the dogs in the lobby.
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    Outside Training Yard Activities (Weather Permitting):  Participate with an ADW Trainer in outdoor exercise activities with the dogs, i.e. up and over equipment, fitness equipment, tunnels, exercise equipment.
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    Fundraising:  Liaison with new donors, foundations.
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    Marketing/Public Relations:  Run an informational donation table at community events; get your children involved and host a bake sale, educate your customers on where the monies are going and why; host an event, such as a cocktail party, at your home or business to introduce your family and friends to ADW; have your business sponsor a dog in their graduation year, the chosen canine will wear your company logo on their vest wherever they go in the community and make frequent stops to your business; open a conversation between ADW and your financial advisor.  Develop allies in the financial community to promote ADW to their clients interested in making charitable contributions and estate bequests.
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    Volunteer Expertise:  Special training that a volunteer could offer to Assistance Dogs of the West, e.g. CPR Trainer, Accountant, Photographer, Writer.

    REQUIREMENTS

    All volunteers must participate in Volunteer Orientation and other training classes specific to the volunteer activity.
    Volunteers that work with the dogs must be able to stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch and perform a variety of physical motions with hands, arms and legs and be able to lift 20 – 50 pounds in order to care for ADW dogs and pups.

    Please list any limitations you have that could affect your ability to volunteer with Assistance Dogs of the West.

    VOLUNTEER PREFERENCES AND AVAILABILITY

    CONFIDENTIALITY

    In the course of your work, you may have access to confidential information regarding Assistance Dogs of the West, its clients, student trainers, employees, vendors, volunteers, donors and other parties with whom we do business.  This may include information such as client history, student issues, donor information, credit card or financial information, Social Security numbers, background information, health information or other non-public information entrusted to the Company.  You must hold all confidential information in the strictest confidence, and use it only for Company approved purposes.  
    You should not disclose confidential information to anyone outside the Company without prior management approval and express permission from the applicant or client.  Even within the Company, confidential information should be shared on a “need to know” basis. It is the responsibility of every employee and volunteer to safeguard all confidential information received by or pertaining to the Company.
    Assistance Dogs of the West complies with New Mexico’s Data Breach Notification Act.  The key components of the act are: Disposal of Personal Identifying Information (PII); Security Measures for Storage of PII; & Notification of a Security Breach. 
    The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
    HIPAA is a federal program that requires that all medical records and other individually identifiable health information used or disclosed by ADW in any form, whether electronically, on paper or orally are kept properly confidential.  
    In the course of your employment or as a volunteer you may have access to certain Protected Healthcare Information (PHI).  Federal Privacy Regulation in 46 CFR parts 160 and 164 promulgate under HIPAA govern the use and disclosure of the PHI. Based upon those provisions, you agree as follows: 

    1. As used in this agreement, the following terms have the following meaning:
      1. ​​​Covered Entity – is a health care clearing house or health care provider who transmits information in an electronic format in connection with a transaction covered under HIPAA
      2. Disclosure – the release or provision of access to, or divulging in any manner of information outside the entity holding this information
      3. PHI- any health information, including demographic information, collected from an individual, transmitted or maintained in any form or medium that:
        1. Is created or received by a health care provider, health plan, employer or health care clearing house; and:
        2. Related to the past, present and future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; and
        3. Related to the provision of health care to an individual or
        4. Relates to past, present or future payment for a provision of health care to an individual; and
        5. Identifies the individual; or
        6. With respect to which there is reasonable basis to believe the information can be used to identify the individual
      4. Research – a systematic investigation, including development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to general knowledge.
      5. Use – the sharing, employment, application, utilization, examination or analysis of information within entity that maintains such information
           2.  ADW can only disclose PHI in a limited data set for the purpose of research, public health activities or healthcare operations.  

    You will 1) not use or further disclose the PHI other than permitted by this agreement or otherwise required by law; 2) use appropriate safeguards to prevent the use or disclosure of PHI other than as provided by this agreement; 3) report to ADW any use or disclosure of PHI not provided for in this agreement, within five working days after you become aware of such unauthorized use or disclosure; and not use PHI in any manner to identify the information to which it pertains.

    ​This Act applies to all health care providers, it is intended to standardize health care information as well as ensure privacy and security of patient information.  It is the responsibility of all ADW staff members and volunteers to comply with HIPAA.

    MEDIA AUTHORIZATION & RELEASE

    do hereby authorize Assistance Dogs of the West, Dogwood, its successors and assigns, and those acting under its permission and on its authority to copyright, use, and publish for: art sales materials advertising promotion, packaging, or trade any other lawful purpose whatsoever articles written or comments made by me photographs, pictures, portraits, images of me and or my dog(s) or other animal(s) in conjunction with my/our own fictitious name reproductions thereof in color or otherwise, made through any medium Film Video Print Website Social Media Any and all comments made by me are provided to Assistance Dogs of the West without receipt of any promise of consideration. The undersigned warrants that he/she has full power and authority to grant all of the rights conveyed there under and hereby waives any right that he/she may to inspect or approve the finished product or the advertising or other copy that may be used in connection therewith or the use to which it may be applied. The undersigned further agrees that this authorization and release binding upon his/her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. The undersigned warrants that he/she is of full agreement and has every right to contract in his/her own name in the above regard, and further that he/she has read the above authorization and release, prior to its execution, and that he/she is fully familiar with the contents thereof. I, undersigned, hereby consent to the foregoing conditions and warrant that I have the authority to grant such consent.

    WAIVER OF LIABILITY & INFORMED CONSENT RELEASE

     I, the undersigned, have volunteered myself to participate in dog training classes, private consultations, workshops or other related activities offered by Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW). By signing hereunder, I certify that I have been informed and understand that there is always some unavoidable risk of injury involved when working with animals, especially animals with behavioral issues. I acknowledge that dogs can be inherently difficult to control and that not all dogs will be under control at all times resulting in the possibility of injury to myself, my dog, my family members, or third parties. Additionally, I have had full opportunity to discuss all concerns I have about the foregoing risks with ADW and its authorized representatives. I have also made all inquiries and investigations to my satisfaction related to such risks, including, but not limited to, an examination of the training area (if applicable). I hereby accept and assume, without reservation, all risks associated with my participation in the Classes, including, but not limited to: the risks of any and all injuries to myself, the dog I am working with, and any of my family members or third parties who may attend; the risks that any dog may cause injury to other persons and/or dogs involved in the Classes; and the risks that saliva, water, food, snow and/or other debris may be present in the training area. As lawful consideration for participating in the classes, I, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns (the “Releasing Party”), hereby waive, release, discharge and agree not to sue and to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) and their managers, agents, and employees (the “Released Party”) from any and all injuries, losses, claims and damages to any person or persons of any nature whatsoever, including claims arising from the Released Party’s own negligence, and all costs associated therewith, including attorney’s fees, court costs and consultant fees, arising from my participation in the Classes. This Waiver of Liability & Informed Consent Release shall be legally binding on the Releasing Party. Should the Releasing Party assert a claim to the contrary to what I have agreed to in this Waiver of Liability and Informed Consent Release, the claiming party shall be liable for all expenses (including attorney’s fees, court costs and consultant fees) incurred by both the Releasing Party and the Released Party. No waiver or modification of any provision herein shall be valid unless expressly agreed to in writing by both the Released Party and the Releasing Party. Every provision herein is intended to be severable. If any one or more of the provisions herein is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that shall not affect the other terms and provisions hereof, which shall remain binding and enforceable.

    ​YOUR TYPED NAME BELOW SERVES AS YOUR DIGITAL SIGNATURE.

Contact ADW
Mailing Address: 
P.O. Box 31027 
Santa Fe, NM 87594

​Physical Address: 
1590 San Mateo Lane
Santa Fe, NM 87505


​Phone & Fax: 
505.986.9748
fax: 505.989.9640
toll free: 866.986.3489


Office Hours:
M-Th: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.


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