Medical / Behavior Volunteers

Positions available – Medical Liaison (multiple positions)

Area description:
Our GRRMF Heartbeat beats strong
Even before a surrendered dog comes into our care, the Intake, Medical/Behavioral team and the Foster teams meet to determine how we can best provide for our new family member. Once the dog arrives in rescue, the very first stop is to one of our partner veterinarians for a nose to tail physical examination. Immunizations are administered and if needed, the dog is spayed or neutered. This initial exam provides crucial information regarding the health and welfare of the dog.  Our partner vets have identified everything from unattended ear infections to cancer, blindness, skin infections, heartworm, heart abnormalities, orthopedic and behavior issues. Like people, dogs sometimes need the attention of a specialist and our Medical/Behavioral team has partnered with veterinarian specialists who can take care of any medical need.

After the initial vet care is complete, the dog is welcomed into their foster home where they will start their new life. The medical team continues to follow up with each foster to check on things such as behavioral concerns and follow up medical appointments.

One of the biggest reasons for a dog to be surrendered to a shelter or rescue is because of behavioral concerns. GRRMF has partnered with force free / relationship based dog trainers that help the foster build the trust and confidence of the dog as well as teach basic manners. Our goal is to provide a well balanced dog to their forever family at the time of adoption. We recommend it is always in the best interest of the newest family member for the adopting family to work with a trainer who is versed in building a strong foundation of trust and respect when adding a dog to the family. The medical team also participates in the adoption process, going over medical findings with the forever family and answering any questions they may have about ongoing care.

As it is our mission to always be there for our dogs and adopting families, our special Medical/Behavioral team is available before, during and after a dog’s arrival and for continued care for any post adoption question or issues that arise.

Roles supporting this area:

Medical Coordinator – builds and maintains relationship with veterinarian population, escalation for critical care issues, coordinates medical liaison activities, integral part of core dog team for intake review and vet care requirements. Oversees all dogs in foster care and sanctuary program.

Medical liaison – works with vets to schedule appointments.  Records vet appts on medical google calendar. Reviews results of veterinarian appt and on-going care plans from veterinarian and communicates to foster and adoption teams.

Behavioral Coordinator – builds and maintains relationship with behavior consultants / trainers,  escalation for critical behavioral care issues, coordinates behavior liaison activities, integral part of core dog team for intake review and behavioral assessments and care requirements. Oversees all dogs in foster care and sanctuary program.

Behavior liaison – works with trainers to schedule foster dog training. Identifies areas requiring resource development for fosters and adopters

Time/Frequency needed to support:

Medical Coordinator – Daily: approx 6 hours. Weekends and evening possible triggered by critical care needs.

Medical liaison – Daily: approx. 3 hours per liaison depending on number of dogs in rescue and issues

Behavioral Coordinator – Daily: approx 2 hours.  Weekends and evening possible triggered by critical care needs

Behavioral liaison – Daily: approx. 2 hours per liaison depending on number of dogs in rescue and issues

Skills needed:

Strong communication skills to handle heavy phone. text and email work efficiently.

Strong multi-tasking skills.

Medical dog care experience and formal dog care training knowledge. Fear Free accreditation helpful

Behavioral force free training experience and accreditation helpful. AKC CGC evaluator helpful.

Familiar with Google Sheets/Excel data entry and Google calendar data entry

Familiar with G-mail for email communications

Work well with teams