By completing and signing this document you are agreeing to the following terms and release of liability. You have chosen to accept a temporary volunteer position at Wolfe Animal Hospital, hereafter referred to as the “Hospital”. The above named below, hereafter referred to as the “Volunteer”, understands that by holding such as position, the Hospital, its owners and / or agents, are waived and relieved from any medical liabilities that could occur to the volunteer while on the premises and working as a volunteer at the Hospital. In addition, the Volunteer understands the importance of using extreme caution when around animals in order to avoid any form of injury.
Wolfe Animal Hospital
Volunteer Guidelines
(Please keep a copy to refer back to)
1. Dress Code - We ask that you dress professionally. You will probably have contact with some of our clients, therefore you represent Wolfe Animal Hospital. The following guidelines should be followed:
Pants should be clean and free from holes or strings at hemline and should be professional in style. Shirts should be plain style; we require scrubs and prefer but not require them be Pewter Gray in color unless your school or program require you to be in there color uniform.
Shoes should be sneakers and should be clean with laces tied. No open toed shoes.
Jewelry should be tasteful, professional, and minimal. No more than 2 earrings per ear are permitted. Facial piercings are not permitted. Dangling or hoop earrings are not permitted. Uncovered tattoos are not permitted.
2. Observing - You are welcome to observe any procedures that interest you. If you are interested in watching surgical procedures please be aware of the following guidelines:
You are welcome to ask questions regarding anatomy or the pet’s condition, but always ask the surgeon if it is an OK time to ask questions before asking. Sometimes during an involved procedure it can be distracting to have the questions asked during certain times during the surgery, so a more appropriate time may be at the end or when the surgeon is closing the incision.
The surgical area on the patient is off-limits to anyone who is untrained and/or unsterile. Once the patient is on the surgical table, do not touch the patient any longer. The surgical pack and instruments have the same rules and are off-limits as well.
If a client is with their pet, your questions should wait until the client no longer there. Doctors and technicians need to give 100% attention to our clients, and asking questions in front of them may be inappropriate and unprofessional.
3. Animal Contact - We will keep your direct contact with animals to a minimum for safety purposes.
Never approach an animal without first asking if it is OK by a doctor or technician.
Never open a cage that is occupied by an animal without permission.
If an animal is being restrained, do not help in any way unless asked to do so.
4. Client Contact - We are protective of the environment we create and provide for our clients. We strive to offer the highest quality professionalism and services. We may choose to restrict your contact with our clients from time to time for that reason. In the case that you do have client interaction with clients, please follow these guidelines:
NEVER ask questions when in the presence of clients. Save your questions for later.
If a client asks you a question, explain that you are a volunteer and that you are uncertain of the correct answer, but that you would be happy to get a team member who can answer their question for them.
Volunteers should keep conversations with clients to a minimum when services are being performed. That can disrupt the flow of appointment preparation and completion.
We do not allow volunteers at the front desk; the area is too small and that may distract the receptionists from providing one on one attention with our clients. Privacy issues regarding client information is also a consideration in this regard.