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Week of March 15th

Th 3/18 Thursday March 18th 6"7:30pm Workshop: Educate, Articulate, Advocate

Volunteer training Weds 3/17 #Level 1$ 5"7 pm Thurs 3/18 #Level 1$ 2"4 pmFri 3/19 #Level 2$ 5"6:30 pm

Pit Crew Weekly

Week in recap: Cyclone, Warhol, and Bethany adopted & Coco to

Foster.

Coco (now Mojo) is the Headliner this week. Deb has a soft spot for

these big muscly goof balls (remember Jersey) and was kind enough to welcome Coco into her pack as a foster. Sounds

like he’s adjusting well to his new digs and enjoying the good life on the couch- whether he’s allowed or not. The word

“NO” is apparently code for: “who wants to play” in Coco’s mind. Thanks Deb for taking him in!

Our Petsmart adoption event was a little slow this weekend but it’s always nice to get out to promote the Pit Crew,

recruit volunteers, and show off all our wonderful Pitties. Thanks to all of our special volunteers and fosters that spent

the day with us at Petsmart to represent the Pit Crew.

We’re very excited this week to have our very own, Melissa Lipani of Best Friends, giving an informative presentation to

help us understand the hurdles we face as advocates for Pit Bull type dogs and how we can more effectively

communicate our message as volunteers for the Pit Crew. We’ll also be viewing a recent webinar from Don Cleary of

the National Canine Research Council highlighting important points from the PIT BULL PLACEBO presentation.

Thurday 3/18 6-7:30, SLCoAS 511 W 3900 S.

As I mentioned in the last update, we're restructuring the Pit Crew Volunteer program in an effort to create an efficient

scheduling system as well as more extensive training. We're asking all of our volunteers to make a 3 month

commitment, for a specific shift, a minimum of 2-3 hours, once a week.!

Opportunities include: exercising and socializing shelter Pitties (our #1 priority), photo/ video (2 openings), adoption

events (2-3 Saturdays per month), Newsletter, blogging (1 opening), volunteer coordinator (1 opening), and Off-site

exercise sessions. Please evaluate your own goals and your ability to commit to this schedule. If you're unable to meet

these needs, we can put you on standby until your schedule allows you to dedicate more time. Keep in mind if you're

signed up to exercise dogs every Thursday from 2-3pm and you don't show up, those dogs wont get out. We're relying

on you.!

There will be specific training involved for each volunteer responsibility:

1- Level 1 training (approx 2 hrs)- small dog handling, kennel safety, disease control, kennel cleaning, computer system

2- Level 2 training (approx 1.5 hrs)- large dog handling, off-site protocol (those interested), basic obedience, photo

uploads

3- Communication (1.5 hrs)- learn how to effectively communicate our message and teach responsible pet ownership

4- Community outreach & adoption events (1 hr)- set up/ clean up crates & supplies, basic adoption counseling

!! !*note: events staff must complete Level 1 & 2 as well.

Week of March 15th page 1

Pit Crew WeeklyExplanation of levels-!

• Level 1 training is designed to ensure everyone has basic handling skills. You will not be assigned to the Pit

Crew and will not be able to exercise Pit Crew dogs until Level 2 training has been completed (new

volunteers).!

• Multiple sessions of either may be required depending on your experience and confidence in the kennel area.

• Those interested in Adoption events will need to complete Level 1, 2, and events training.

• Everyone is strongly encouraged to attend the communication workshop. This messaging is key to helping

promote responsible pet ownership and effectively advocating for the breed.

• Shifts will be scheduled once you've completed and signed off on necessary training (new volunteers).

*Existing volunteers exercising dogs on site will not be required to participate in Level 1 training, however, level 2 is

strongly encouraged. Existing event volunteers and anyone interested in off- site sessions will be required to complete

Level 2 and Events training.

Please email!slcopitcrew@gmail.com!to RSVP for training as there is limited space in each session. I’ll also need

confirmation from all of our existing volunteers of this new 3 month commitment, and your desired shift/

responsibility (on site exercise, events, etc.). Our goal in implementing these changes is to develop a more efficient

volunteer schedule, provide our volunteers the necessary training to be confident dog handlers, as well as great

advocates for the breed and the Pit Crew program. For so many of us the flexibility of the scheduling in the past has

been a luxury but as we approach full capacity this Spring, our dogs will greatly benefit from more consistency.

We are fortunate to have so many passionate volunteers to support our program and help it grow.

Thanks to all of you that dedicate so much of your time representing the Pit Crew and tirelessly advocating for our

dogs. We truly appreciate everything you do.

the Pit Crew

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