Dog Enrichment Volunteer

Volunteer Success; Collingwood; On-site; Confidential; Part time

Job summary

An animal welfare organization in Collingwood is seeking a Dog Enrichment Volunteer to support their Canine Enrichment Program. Volunteers will engage with dogs of various temperaments, providing physical and mental stimuli. Responsibilities include creating treats, maintaining dog well-being, and following specific protocols to ensure safety. A commitment of 2 hours weekly for a minimum of 6 months is required. Training will be provided to help volunteers progress through dog handling status levels.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 18 years.
• Must commit to animal welfare.
• Experience with medium and/or large dogs required.

Responsibilities

• Create treats/food puzzles for dogs.
• Assist in maintaining dogs’ well-being.
• Interact with dogs for walks, training, and socialization.
• Ensure dogs are safe and follow protocols.
• Clean dog dishes and manage laundry.

Skills

Animal Care & Handling

Dog handling experience

Self-motivated

Teamwork

Job description

Overview

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Details

On-Site

Ongoing Opportunity

Posted 2025-09-17

Role

Dog Care: Dog Enrichment Volunteer

Georgian Triangle Humane Society

Summary

Members of the Dog Care Team work with puppies and dogs of all sizes, shapes and backgrounds (stray, surrendered, neglected, abused, healthy, recovering from surgery, may be easy to handle or may require training for behavioural issues…).

Description

What you’ll be doing

Dog Enrichment Volunteers report to the Dog Care Coordinator and participate in our Canine Enrichment Program to provide mental and physical stimuli to the dogs in our care at the Animal Centre. To support the wide range of dog behaviours and needs we encounter at the GTHS, Dog Enrichment Volunteers complete a Dog Care Program; quickly progressing from Green dogs (ie. puppies and seniors who are easy to walk and handle) and Yellow dogs (ie. young, rambunctious, pullers who can be slightly difficult to walk and handle), then work through the Orange and Purple levels at their own pace, with the ultimate goal of working with Red dogs (ie. strong, reactive dogs that are difficult to walk and handle, and that may have other behavioural issues).

Training is required upon joining the Dog Care Team and will be required intermittently to progress through the Dog Care Program.

Time Commitment

2 hours once a week. Enrichment shifts take place daily at a mutually agreed upon time between the hours of 9am-12noon. An overall minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Create treats / food puzzles
• Provide food and clean water as required or instructed
• Assist in the maintenance of dogs’ physical and mental well-being
• Interact with dogs for walks, training and socialization
• Bathe / groom dogs
• Reinforce behaviours that make dogs more adoptable
• Ensure dogs are safe and secure
• Follow appropriate protocol, policies and procedures
• Wash up dirty dog dishes and assist with laundry (washing, drying and folding linens), based on Enrichment activities undertaken
• Disinfect any dog toys used for Enrichment
• Clean up after dogs (stoop and scoop) in the kennel area and outdoors, as appropriate
• Oversee any cleaning and tidying resulting from own interactions with dogs
• Use online Contact List & Schedule to reflect any absences and to coordinate shift coverage

Qualifications

• 18 years of age minimum
• A commitment to animal welfare
• A gentle and kind approach to dog handling
• Confident with dogs
• Current dog handling and/or training experience is required
• Medium and/or large dog experience is required
• Willingness and ability to complete the GTHS Dog Care Program training from Green to Yellow Dog Walker status is a must upon joining the Dog Care Team, and a desire to progress through additional status levels of the Dog Care Program is expected
• Self motivated
• Ability to work alone and in a team environment
• Ability to follow protocol

Requirements

Whether you meet these requirements or not, we encourage you to share your interest in us. You may still be a fit for a different opportunity with our organization.

Location

On-site Address

549 Tenth Line, Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 0W1

Organization

Causes: Animal Shelter & Welfare

Skills & Experience

Animal Care & Handling

Additional Info

Tags: dog care