Inquiry, Application and On-‐Boarding
- Potential raiser contacts VMF
- Completes and submits Puppy Raiser & Sitter Application to VMF
- Contacts Executive Coordinator via webpage inquiry link
- Applications and inquiries are forwarded (typically by Executive Coordinator) to Puppy Raiser (PR) Coordinator for initial contact with potential raiser
- PR Coordinator contacts potential raiser via e-‐mail or phone, and conducts follow
ups as needed by e-‐mail or phone
- Potential raiser attends VMF Volunteer Orientation and Training, and Canine Team Orientation
- Potential raiser attends and observes a Sunday (1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of each month) training class
- PR Coordinator invites potential raiser to attend and observe a Sunday training session. Three – four potential dates are provided, and once date is confirmed, PR Coordinator informs Director of Canine Operations
- PR Coordinator also attends this training class in order to talk with potential raiser, answer questions, make introductions,
- Potential raiser meets with Director of Canine Operations at end of the training class
- Potential raiser coordinates with Director of Canine Operations to attend Wednesday SDiT training sessions for hands-‐on training opportunities
- PR Coordinator coordinates with potential raiser to conduct a Logistics and Suitability Assessment (LSA) of home and work (as applicable) environment(s)
- PR Coordinator submits LSA report(s) to Director of Canine Operations for review and follow up actions, as required
- Director of Canine Operations, in coordination with PR Coordinator, schedules an initial puppy sit for potential raiser
- Puppy sit is scheduled for a weekend when the current raiser will be home (for potential questions and support), and preferably to coincide with a scheduled Sunday training class
Veterans Moving Forward - Puppy Raiser (PR) Process
- Current raiser completes Raiser portion of Puppy Sit Form and sends to potential raiser prior to scheduled puppy sit
- At conclusion of puppy sit, potential raiser completes Sitter portion of Puppy Sit Form, and submits completed form to current raiser, with copy provided to Director of Canine Operations
Pre-‐placement Training
- Raiser attends a four-‐week, pre-‐placement class series at VMF’s Canine Training Center
- Raiser continues to participate in either Wednesday or Sunday training classes until placement of SDiT with raiser
- Raiser completes additional (two – three) puppy sits
- If raiser is planning on having SDiT accompany him/her to work
- Discussion between raiser and Director of Canine Operations to ensure setting of conditions for success for both SDiT and raiser
- Employer Letter Agreement is drafted, signed by raiser and submitted to Raiser’s employer; Employer Letter Agreement is signed by employer/supervisor and returned to Director of Canine Operations
- If the SDiT must be 6 months or older in order to accompany the raiser to work, a suitable starter home will be identified by the Director of Canine Operations
- During the time the SDiT is in the starter home, the raiser will attend weekly training classes with Director of Canine Operations and the SDiT to ensure a smooth transition from starter home to raiser’s home – training day, time and location to be coordinated between Director of Canine Operations and potential raiser
Prior to SDiT Placement with Raiser
- Director of Canine Operations identifies a local Veterinarian for SDiT
- Veterinarian support and Letter Agreement negotiated and signed by veterinarian; signed agreement returned to Director of Canine Operations
- Raiser signs VMF Puppy Raiser & Puppy Sitter Agreement, and submits to the Director of Canine Operations
- Raiser signs Photo and Media Release Form, and submits to the Executive Coordinator, with a copy to the Director of Canine Operations