The CIA program is held at Humane Society Silicon Valley in the Education Center at 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas, CA, 95035. We are conveniently located off of the 680/280 Freeway and Montague Expressway.

Weeks 1 – 3: Student Training & Practice

• Introduction to HSSV, animal sheltering and current animal welfare topics
• Training in how to read animal body language, positive reinforcement training techniques, and basic socialization skills
• Practice, working directly with the shelter animals in their habitats
• Participate in critical community service activities to help the animals

Weeks 3 – 5: Group Interviews

• Opportunity to interview for a specialized volunteer role, based on interest, skill level and focus
• Volunteer roles may include one or more of the following:
  • Advanced Dog or Cat Socializer
  • Social Media Sidekick
  • Marketing Production Designer
  • Medical Assistant

Weeks 6 – 15: Volunteer Placements

• Placements (including accompanying schedule) are discussed in advance, with both students and their parents/guardians
  • They also vary in terms of their rigor and time commitment, so we should have something suitable for everyone

To begin the registration process:

1. Review the required training schedule and take a look at the optional volunteer day schedule.

2. Click 1 of the Program Orientation dates you want to sign up for.

3. Complete the Program Orientation registration form. Please be sure to indicate which required cat and dog trainings you would like to attend on the registration form.

No. The safety of youth participating in education programs is a priority for us. To ensure your child is safe and not left at our facility unattended, please pick your child up no later than 15 minutes after the CIA class has ended. If you are later than this time, we will charge $1.00 per minute, past the 15-minute grace period. We also ask that your child remain in the classroom until he/she is safely picked up. If your child drives him/herself to the program, please let us know and your child will be exempted from the pick-up requirement.

Students should wear long pants without holes or excessive fraying, their CIA shirt and closed-toe shoes while volunteering. Additional shirts can be purchased during the program.

If your child’s school requires volunteer hours, please have him/her bring the hour log to the program.

Students are free to use their cell phones to take and post pictures of their experience in our animal habitats, provided the situation is safe and they have completed the majority of their animal volunteering.

Students may not listen to music, use their cell phones to text, make, or accept calls, unless it is an emergency and has been discussed with CIA teachers in advance.

In order for a refund to be offered, please call or email within the time frames listed below:

1. 75% refund –> 14 days or more before the first day of your CIA Orientation

2. 50% refund –> 8-13 days before the first day of your CIA Orientation

3. Refunds will not be issued 7 days or fewer prior to the first day of your CIA Orientation

At the end of the Volunteer Placement, students may be asked to continue to volunteer and will be dependent on

1) their interest and availability in continuing the role, and

2) their overall performance during the program

Students may always sign up for the next CIA program, as well!

The Education Team
education@hssv.org
408-262-2133 x138