At the Green Care Lab, we're seeking enthusiastic individuals to become part of our daily operations. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, please complete the contact and information form below and our team will reach out to you.
Your dedication to our mission as a volunteer is highly valued and greatly appreciated. We want to provide some important context regarding our volunteer program. Training individuals to work effectively in our gardens and with our animals is a time-intensive process. Given our limited resources, we must prioritize efficiency in our training efforts. Therefore, we kindly request that volunteers commit to dedicating at least one day per week for a minimum of four months.
This extended commitment serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it allows our animals the time they need to adjust to new human interactions, promoting their well-being and safety. Secondly, it ensures that our training efforts are maximally effective, as frequent turnover can be counterproductive. Lastly, it enables volunteers to form meaningful bonds with our animals, which is not only rewarding but also greatly benefits our program. Your dedication and reliability in consistently showing up are essential to the success of our volunteer program. We sincerely appreciate your understanding of this request and your commitment to making a positive impact on our mission.
The Green Care Lab at Pine Trails Ranch is responsible for the well-being of three miniature pigs, two miniature horses, and two miniature donkeys, who may soon be accompanied by a few goats, sheep, and cows. All of our animals play a crucial role in our study of the therapeutic benefits of animal-human interactions. Ensuring the best possible care for our animals is of utmost importance to us. We are looking for volunteers with expertise in animal husbandry, particularly equine and farm animal care, to assist with daily animal care and maintenance tasks. Your responsibilities will encompass:
- Stall Maintenance: Cleaning animal stalls and replenishing bedding.
- Feeding and Hydration: Ensuring animals are fed and given fresh, clean water.
- Habitat Care: Cleaning and maintaining animal living spaces.
- Animal Exercise: Walking animals on lead ropes around the property and to and from their turn-out pens.
- Grooming: Grooming animals and tending to their hoof care.
- Veterinary Collaboration: Collaborating with our farrier and veterinarians when necessary.
- Behavior Documentation: Documenting animal behaviors and noteworthy issues when required.
We have also been developing various gardens to serve as spaces for us to explore the therapeutic benefits of horticulture-human interactions. These gardens include food-producing plots and gardens predominantly filled with California native plants. We're in search of an individual with a passion for gardening to assist in the maintenance and improvement of these gardens. Your responsibilities will include:
- Assessing Garden Needs: Evaluating watering, pruning, and fertilizing requirements and tending to plants accordingly.
- Weeding: A significant part of the role involves weed management.
- Greenhouse Work: Growing seedlings in our greenhouse for future transplantation into the gardens.
- Irrigation System: Developing, maintaining, and repairing our various irrigation systems.
Job Location: Pine Trails Ranch. Address: 35270 Co Rd, 31, Davis, CA.
Working hours: Your preferred working schedule will be considered along with the needs of the Green Care Lab. We anticipate a weekly commitment of a minimum of 2 hours of work per week in the Green Care Lab with an anticipated tenure of at least 4 months.
REQUIREMENT: Must have a vehicle. We acknowledge that having a vehicle is a privilege, and this may result in the exclusion of exceptionally dedicated volunteers that lack access to one at this time. However, for safety reasons (Co Rd 31 is hazardous with no bike lane), we insist that applicants have the ability to drive themselves to and from volunteering. We are actively working with the City of Davis and UC Davis to establish a mass transit plan to our location. In the meantime, we kindly request that individuals without flexible access to a vehicle refrain from applying for positions with us. This is for your safety.
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To apply, please complete this application Google Form below.
Your dedication and support help us create a nurturing and safe environment for our cherished animal companions and the beautiful gardens we're cultivating. Join us in making a difference today!
*Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to inquiries regarding application status. If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of submitting your application, it means we have either chosen to interview other volunteer candidates, or we are currently at maximum volunteer capacity. We would encourage you to reapply in the following months.
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