Volunteer Opportunities

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

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 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
  • 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, and life-changing. Please click on the button below to download the volunteer application form. Email us at [email protected] if you need assistance or have questions. A scholarship program exists to cover registration fees. If you have a registered pet other than a dog, please reach out to us!!

Book Buddies Reading Program Volunteer Coordinator and Youth Assistant

A Book Buddies Volunteer Coordinator and Youth Assistant (16 years and older) helps 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]!