PetMates

PetMates Volunteers support SPDL’s mission of assisting elderly and isolated residents and people with a disability living in the City of Port Phillip.

PetMates volunteers help enable independent living by visiting a client regularly, usually two times per week and taking their dog for a walk in the local area for up to 30–45 min at a time.

Occasional pet grooming and pet transport may be arranged, by agreement.

    • Take the dog for walk for an agreed duration and maintain situational awareness.

    • Always keep the dog on leash and under control and clean-up as required.

    • Provide companionship and a friendly, courteous service to clients.

    • Notify the Volunteer Program Coordinator (VPC) of the start and finish time for each visit on the day and report your hours worked each quarter.

    • Advise VPC of any variation or change in arrangements.

    • Report any concerns, inappropriate behaviour or incident immediately to the VPC.

    • Comply with SPDL Policies and Procedures.

    • Capacity to control the dog while walking and maintain situational awareness.

    • Understanding of issues affecting older people, and those with a disability.

    • Coordinate and confirm visits and accommodate changes, if required.

    • Maintain a calm manner and communicate concerns in a clear way.

    • Reliability and responsibility in undertaking the role.

    • Pleasant manner, patience, problem-solving ability, and dependability.

    • Experience or interest in dogs and dog walking.

    • Understanding of mobility issues among older people.

    • Perform regular or occasional shifts as agreed, for a minimum of at least 6 months (1–1.5 hours per week).

    • Successfully complete a national police check.

    • Apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check.

    • Induction and training on the SPDL policies and procedures and volunteer role.

    • Ongoing support and assistance from the Volunteer Program Coordinator.

    • Additional training opportunities for all volunteers throughout the year.

    • Demonstrates empathy for older people and people with a disability.

    • Successfully complete a national police check.

  • For more information, please contact our Volunteer Program Coordinator, info@spdl.org.au