Coordinator Team, Dog Care Support for Seniors Program - Peterborough

ElderDog Canada is a 100% volunteer-run, national charity dedicated to ageing people
and ageing dogs. Through our Dog Care Support for Seniors Program we enable
older adults, living at home and with challenges affecting dog care, to continue to benefit
from their relationship with their canine companions.

ElderDog volunteers provide regular, in-home dog care support that includes:

- assistance with obtaining food and feeding;
- assistance with animal hygiene;
- minor grooming such as bathing, nail clipping or help with brushing;
- dog walking;
- transportation to and from vet or groomer;
- temporary care during hospitalization.

There are no fees for any of our services.

We take a team approach to coordinating the Dog Care Support for Seniors
Program and welcome volunteers to assume one or more of the following roles
and responsibilities (mentoring and ongoing support provided):

Overall Coordination and Main Contact

- general oversight of the Dog Care Support Program;
- responding to inquiries for assistance including those that are urgent and require
prompt response;
- explaining Dog Care Support Program, services offered, and procedures to
potential clients;
- coordinating, with Home Visit team members, initial visits with seniors to
- determine/confirm services required and complete Assistance Agreement;
- providing orientation to the Dog Care Support Program for new volunteers;
- participating in bi-monthly teleconferences with other Dog Care Support
Coordinators;
- communicating with Pawd Leader, members, and National Office on an ongoing
basis;
- mediating conflicts or issues.

Home Visits
- arranging and conducting initial visits with seniors to determine/confirm services
required and complete Assistance Agreement;
- completing a general behaviour and assessment of dog following the Behaviour
and Health Assessment Guidelines
- providing emergency kit which includes dog tag, window decal, and fridge
magnets;
- taking dog for short walk to assess behaviour on leash and comfort walking;
- liaising with Coordinator and Paperwork team member regarding paperwork.

Scheduling
- liaising with Volunteer Coordinator to identify Dog Care Support volunteers
including ensuring that photo IDs have been issued;
- scheduling volunteers to provide senior support services.

Paperwork
- keeping records of Program activities updated on Google Drive;
- submitting required paperwork to National Office.

All members of the Coordinator Team are required to be mentored in their respective
roles and follow all Dog Care Support Program guidelines and procedure.

ElderDog Canada uses Google Workspace for communication, storage, and content
creation. Knowledge of or willingness to learn Google Docs and Google Workspace is a
must.

For more information or to express interest in being part of the coordinating team for
this very rewarding and important service for seniors and their dogs, contact
info@elderdog.ca.