Member Handlers:

 At least 18 years old. 15 year-olds can visit with a certified adult.

Minimum commitment 4 hours a year, 1 hour per animal. Member must document hours and submit each year as part of renewal (Executive Director may confirm visitations.)

Must attend or reschedule (with 48 hours notice, except in the case of genuine emergency) all scheduled visits. 2 NO SHOWS/NO CALLS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISMISSAL FROM JOYOUS PAWS

  Submit completed application. Payment of application fee.

Renewal each calendar year,

Mandatory observation visit each year (counts towards minimum hours) Submit completed renewal form and Payment of fees

Completed/Signed evaluation.

Complete background check ( Presence of criminal background does NOT prevent membership. Each case will be considered on an individual basis)

Response to all emails communications within 15 days. Email is our primary means of communication. KEEP YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS CURRENT

All information related to facility patients, residents or students is confidential. Posting of names, photos or other identifiable information, without consent of of the facility, regarding residents/patients may result in termination of membership.

Personal Conduct:

All handlers and animals must be clean and appropriately dressed/equipped during visits. Appropriate dress includes shirts and closed toed shoes, RIPPED JEANS, MINI SKIRTS, REVEALING BLOUSES, TSHIRTS with political or religious statements, are NOT appropriate.

Be respectful and courteous to all residents, staff members, other visitors at all times.

Members may not assist residents/patients with any physical activities, including but not limited to assisting rising, sitting or locomotion. ALWAYS HAVE A STAFF MEMBER ASSIST RESIDENTS/PATIENTS.

Members may not accept monetary gifts or other tangible items from residents/patients. Members may accept small in-tangible gifts such as pictures or candy if permitted by facility rules.

Any safety concerns, violations of safety requirements by other members, or possible injuries to others MUST BE reported to the Executive Director within 24 hours.o Any incident involving injury to a resident or other person or animal during volunteer activities MUST BE reported to the facility coordinator immediately. The incident must also be reported to the Executive Director within 24 hours.

Failure to report safety concerns may result in suspension or termination of visiting privileges (at the Executive Director’s discretion).

Failure to comply with requirements can result in

A written warning

Suspension of visiting privileges for a period of up to 6 months  Termination of membership

Animal Members

Minimum of 1 year of age-unless approved by the lead evaluator

Must be spayed or neutered.

o May be granted permission to visit prior to 1 year with experienced handler by Executive Director          

Submission of proof of veterinary exam and vaccinations as species appropriate.

Required vaccinations:

o Rabies

o Dogs-Distemper/ Parvo-virus, for dogs under 7 years of age and other vaccines are required by facilities

o Cats- Feline Viral Rhinotrachitis, Calici Virus, Panleukopenia Rabies and other vaccines as required by facilities.

Birds must have a negative fecal every 2 years.

All animals must be on leash at all times

o (nylon, rope or leather-no chain leashes) no longer than 5 feet. Retractable leashes are NOT allowed

Animals must be controlled with a properly fitted head collar, body harness, or nylon/leather neck collar. Chain, pinch or martingales with chains are not permitted.

Animals must be restrained with the collar, harness that they were tested with. A change of collar/head harness/body harness style requires that the animal be re-tested.

  Animals must be handled by their registered handler(s). All handlers must be tested with each and every animal that they will be handling.

Two animals may visit together with the same handler. Both animals must be tested together with the same handler.

The test MUST be conducted by an approved evaluator. A copy of the completed and signed test form must be submitted by the evaluator (even if a copy is submitted by the handler). Upon successful completion of the test, each animal/handler team MUST conduct an observation visit with an approved evaluator. This observation visit MUST be repeated each year prior to renewal of membership.

The Executive Director holds final authority in all matters regarding implementation and violations of all above requirements. Members will be notified in writing of suspected violations and given 30 days to respond (in the event of a violation which may result in suspension or termination of membership). Visitation privileges will be suspended during that 30-day response period. Facilities will be notified of all suspensions and terminations.

Violations of the above requirements, or reports of inappropriate behavior by either human or animal members will be fully investigated and documented!

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