“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
Volunteers bring a world of learning to youth through the youth literacy programs of Guardian Whiskers.
Become a champion in the lives of young people by volunteering with Guardian Whiskers. Please see below for the available volunteer positions. If you are interested in a position, please email [email protected] for a volunteer application to complete, or see below for a link to download the applicable volunteer application form. For each volunteer role, there will be a volunteer orientation that you will need to attend before volunteering.
Book Buddies Reading Program Canine Therapy Team
A Book Buddies Reading Program therapy team, which consists of a person as the handler and their dog as a therapy animal, provides a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental environment for a child to practice reading aloud during each Book Buddies Reading Program session.
To learn more about the program, please visit here.
Requirements:
In order to volunteer as a Book Buddies Therapy Team, you and your dog are required:
- to be certified through Pet Partners or Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
- to be up-to-date with your dog’s veterinary checkups and vaccines
- to have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test within the past two years if not registered with Pet Partners
- understand and use positive reinforcement (also known as pain-free, force-free, and do no harm) dog training methods in their training, during therapy sessions, and everyday life with their dog
Being on a therapy team with your dog is incredibly rewarding, for both you and your dog. Please click on the button below to download the volunteer application form. Email us at hello@guardianwhiskers if you need assistance or have questions. A scholarship program exists to cover registration fees.
Are you a registered therapy team with a pet that is NOT a dog???
Please reach out to us! We’d be happy to explore the possibility of you and your pet joining our Book Buddies reading program.
Book Buddies Reading Program Volunteer Coordinator and Youth Assistant
A Book Buddies Volunteer Coordinator and Youth Assistant (16-18 years old) help facilitate the reading programs, which can include:
- Pre-event preparation
- Greeting and welcoming participants
- Collecting registration forms
- Keeping track of reading sessions
- Scheduling sessions
- Implementing a reading incentive program
- Wrapping-up after events
If interested in fulfilling this role, please click below to download a volunteer application form. Email us at [email protected] for assistance or if you have questions. Youths 16 years and older are permitted to apply. A background check and a volunteer orientation will also need to be completed.
Don’t see a volunteer role for you?
Email us at [email protected]!
