New Volunteer Guide
New Volunteer Guide
New Volunteer Guide
This module was designed to welcome new volunteers to our team and provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to care for our dogs during walks. It serves as a comprehensive guide for creating a safe, supportive environment while fostering positive interactions that enhance the dogs' well-being and adoption prospects. The training emphasizes safety protocols, positive reinforcement techniques, and the importance of nurturing connections between volunteers and our furry friends.
The Audience
New volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, with varying levels of experience in animal care and dog walking. The module is designed to be accessible and engaging for individuals with a passion for animal welfare and a desire to contribute to creating safe, nurturing environments for the dogs in our care.
Responsibilities
Instructional design using the ADDIE model and Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles, content writing, and visual design. This project involved developing a user-friendly volunteer handbook, storyboarding, prototyping, and building an interactive, informative guide to support volunteer onboarding and ensure best practices in dog care and positive reinforcement techniques.
Tools Used
• Rise 360
• Canva
• Freepik
Problem
New volunteers often have limited experience with dog handling during walks, which can pose safety risks for both the dogs and the volunteers. Additionally, many volunteers are unfamiliar with using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior, making it harder to create meaningful interactions that support the dogs’ adoption process.
Solution
After conducting a thorough needs analysis through surveys and interviews with current volunteers and shelter staff, I identified critical training gaps. I designed an onboarding module that focused on key areas such as safety protocols, dog handling techniques, and positive reinforcement strategies. The solution aimed to equip volunteers with the necessary skills to ensure safe dog walks and foster positive interactions, ultimately contributing to the dogs’ well-being and adoption readiness.
Design & Development
Using the ADDIE model and Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles, I started with a needs analysis to understand the challenges volunteers faced. The design phase involved creating a user-friendly handbook that broke down essential concepts into digestible sections, including safety, handling, and communication with the dogs.
The development phase included visual design, interactive elements, and clear, simple instructions to accommodate all volunteers, regardless of prior experience. Prototyping and feedback loops ensured the final product was both engaging and informative, with real-world scenarios to help volunteers apply their learning in practice.