Welcome to Online Volunteer Training
Thank you for all you do to be a stellar volunteer with the Bunny Besties nonprofit organization. This starts with taking the time to learn about us and how we do things. Thank you for being a go getter and training with us!
Let's get started with online volunteer training!
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Training Opportunities
MODULE #1: The Bunny Besties Nonprofit
Welcome to the Bunny Besties Nonprofit online training. Learn how we started and how we have grown. Learn our mission and vision and about our programs.
We begin with our introductory meeting where we provide an explanation of how our training process works. Please begin by downloading this document below and hold onto it all through training. It will be used through the process and then will be the proof that you have completed the appropriate step for certification and registration. The modules and tabs you are able to see here is the online training program which is currently under construction. More to come!
We begin with our introductory meeting where we provide an explanation of how our training process works. Please begin by downloading this document below and hold onto it all through training. It will be used through the process and then will be the proof that you have completed the appropriate step for certification and registration. The modules and tabs you are able to see here is the online training program which is currently under construction. More to come!
| how_to_become_a_certified_volunteer_ambassador_for_bunny_besties.docx |
Join Bunny Besties!
Core Values Presentation
| bunny_besties_core_values.pptx |
Learn about the bunny break
| bunny_besties_core_offering.pptx |
Bunny besties at the University of Minnesota
PAWS Training overview
This document below is the UMN PAWS (Pet Away Worry and Stress) Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI) with College Students training document and application. Written and provided by Tanya Bailey.
| paws_training_overview_and_application_1-28-2019.docx.pdf |
MODULE #2: Bunny Basics
Welcome to Bunny Basics 101 and 201. These training modules are provided to give you what you need to begin to understand therapy rabbits. Learning these two classes will also give the team tools for visiting. It will provide facts that can be conversation starters when visiting with a person or a group.
slideshow
Enjoy the slideshow to learn about bunnies.
Bunny Basics - The Second phase
Congratulations! You are onto the second phase of learning about bunnies. Therapy rabbits are complex prey animals and known as exotic pets. They have unique needs that need to be studied and learned. Please click on the pdf of the class below. Thank you for taking the time to learn to be a therapy rabbit professional.
Watch This video on our bunny castle
The Bunny Castle Basics
The Bunny Castle serves a dual purpose. Firs it serves as the gathering place for the therapy rabbits to enjoy a break time from being held. Here is a place where the rabbits can run, hop, binky and play. They have litter boxes here with litter and hay. They also have fresh water and greens available. Rabbits enjoy a neutral territory where they can enjoy their other bunny friends.
The bunny castle is a neutral territory for the rabbit group. Rabbits are very territorial and can not be put together to intrude on another rabbit's territory. It will cause fights that can cause serious bodily injury. This space is considered a neutral territory for the whole group and the rabbits will respect that it is shared territory. There must be a person though at all times to act as a referee to keep the rabbits safe from their territorial instincts, ready to break up fights and give bunny breaks if needed.
For the human visitors the bunny castle is a novel way for visitors to enjoy a bunny break too. This bunny break plays out in a different way though and is directed at mindfulness. It is like watching a stress reducing animal video but, live and in person. It is novelty and cuteness together to help distract the mind from the stress of the day. It brings smiles and is fun to watch like a hamster playing in its tunnels and habitat. It is a safe place to gather around and find support with those around you.
It is important to put the castle together while considering the welfare and needs of the rabbits along with the needs of our human guests. It must be adorable and it must be functional. Both of those purposes come together to make the bunny castle a very special place for everyone to visit whether they have two legs or four legs. All are welcome!
The bunny castle is a neutral territory for the rabbit group. Rabbits are very territorial and can not be put together to intrude on another rabbit's territory. It will cause fights that can cause serious bodily injury. This space is considered a neutral territory for the whole group and the rabbits will respect that it is shared territory. There must be a person though at all times to act as a referee to keep the rabbits safe from their territorial instincts, ready to break up fights and give bunny breaks if needed.
For the human visitors the bunny castle is a novel way for visitors to enjoy a bunny break too. This bunny break plays out in a different way though and is directed at mindfulness. It is like watching a stress reducing animal video but, live and in person. It is novelty and cuteness together to help distract the mind from the stress of the day. It brings smiles and is fun to watch like a hamster playing in its tunnels and habitat. It is a safe place to gather around and find support with those around you.
It is important to put the castle together while considering the welfare and needs of the rabbits along with the needs of our human guests. It must be adorable and it must be functional. Both of those purposes come together to make the bunny castle a very special place for everyone to visit whether they have two legs or four legs. All are welcome!
| training_certification_-_bunny_bestie_basics_class_2.pdf |
MODULE #3: Learn About Therapy Rabbits
Welcome to Therapy Rabbits 101. This training module will explain to you why therapy rabbits make such an excellent and unique choice for therapeutic work. We will also show you our Bunny Besties Best Practices for therapy work.
Why Rabbits as therapy animals?
Rabbits are very clean animals making them ideal for working with immunodeficient individuals such as those undergoing cancer treatments. (Hemophiliacs, very young children and diabetics should where wrist protectors due to the risk of scratches). Or in our case we always visit with the Bunny Besties Ambassador Rabbits in pet beds. The pet bed not only protects the human as rabbit nails do not retract like cat nails but the pet bed acts as place where the rabbit feels safe in each very different person's arms or laps.
Here are ways a Bunny Besties Ambassador Rabbit may benefit a person you are working with:
Interactions with a rabbit trained in Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI) makes an excellent therapy animal. Rabbits as prey animals are highly intuitive. Their sense of hearing, smell, taste and touch is heightened and keeps them grounded in what is happening around them. Horses too are prey animals and have been proven highly effective in equine therapy. Rabbits are like mini horses even down to the way they eat to keep their guts moving and how their ears work independently of each other to be able to identify sounds coming from different directions. They also share that their eyes are placed on the sides of their heads leaving a bit of a blind spot directly in front of them but leaving them about to see even things happening behind them with a 360-degree view of the world. Both species have a unique ability to form very strong bonds with humans after the animal realizes it can trust the human.
Interactions with a therapy rabbit much like a therapy horse can teach people that take the time to learn about reading body language. With a prey animal like a rabbit that makes little to no sounds to keep itself safe from predators, learning to read its body language will let you know how much they really do communicate. Beyond teaching body language, a prey animal can teach a human about empathy towards other creatures and how they see the world. We at Bunny Besties talk about entering rabbit country and getting down on the rabbit's level. This teaches a new perspective about stepping into another's world and helps people see their innate biases. Interactions can also teach nurturing as rabbits are unconditional in their acceptance which can make a person feel loved and accepted.
We at Bunny Besties have found in the ten years we have been doing this work that our animals ignite social interactions and community. The smiles and friendship that come from sitting around a bunny cuddle is contagious. Soon others in nursing homes want to be part of the fun and interaction. We see residents who have not been speaking come alive and start singing to our rabbits. Therapy rabbit inspiring Alzheimer's Patient - YouTube They look to those other residents sitting around them and begin sharing their stores and laughing with staff and visitors and even each other. When previously these same residents rarely partake in any social interactions at their facility. We have found the same with young adults who hear that the rabbits are coming and work to make it to see them and enjoy them with their friends. What we have found in our volunteerism is backed up by research.
Our rabbits are especially remarkable in helping humans break down barriers and because of the bunnies have a time to reach out to others and enjoy the visit together. This togetherness creates community. Community is love and the only remedy for the collective trauma that the COVID19 pandemic has placed into all of us. The virus caused deep isolation for every human, but the bunnies offer the remedy by sparking social interactions that bring a community together. This is especially affective in the populations that are suffering from anxiety, depression and feeling isolated or alienated from their peers. The interactions we as Bunny Besties sets up in our community helps to break down those barriers and may even make people feel more open to talking during or after a visit with us.
One of the most beneficial forms of Animal Assisted Interactions with rabbits is touch therapy. There are so many different kinds of furs on rabbits that it makes them ideal for the feeling of their softness on a human's hands. For some physical touch has become a form of stress and anxiety possibly after abuse. Animals can fulfill that primal need for touch in a safe and non-threatening way in a safe atmosphere. Interactions with rabbits can also be a teaching moment for appropriate touch being gentle hands. Even someone who is blind can sit two bunnies' side by side and enjoy feeling how different their fur is as they pet them. Studies have shown how the interaction with animals has the power to lower blood pressure and heart rates in patients being observed for study during AAI.
Incentive is also a great part of what the Bunny Besties Ambassador rabbits can do for children in reading programs with us. See how they have helped children at People Serving People Homeless Shelter. Accomplish With Kylie: Bunny Besties - YouTube
Here are ways a Bunny Besties Ambassador Rabbit may benefit a person you are working with:
Interactions with a rabbit trained in Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI) makes an excellent therapy animal. Rabbits as prey animals are highly intuitive. Their sense of hearing, smell, taste and touch is heightened and keeps them grounded in what is happening around them. Horses too are prey animals and have been proven highly effective in equine therapy. Rabbits are like mini horses even down to the way they eat to keep their guts moving and how their ears work independently of each other to be able to identify sounds coming from different directions. They also share that their eyes are placed on the sides of their heads leaving a bit of a blind spot directly in front of them but leaving them about to see even things happening behind them with a 360-degree view of the world. Both species have a unique ability to form very strong bonds with humans after the animal realizes it can trust the human.
Interactions with a therapy rabbit much like a therapy horse can teach people that take the time to learn about reading body language. With a prey animal like a rabbit that makes little to no sounds to keep itself safe from predators, learning to read its body language will let you know how much they really do communicate. Beyond teaching body language, a prey animal can teach a human about empathy towards other creatures and how they see the world. We at Bunny Besties talk about entering rabbit country and getting down on the rabbit's level. This teaches a new perspective about stepping into another's world and helps people see their innate biases. Interactions can also teach nurturing as rabbits are unconditional in their acceptance which can make a person feel loved and accepted.
We at Bunny Besties have found in the ten years we have been doing this work that our animals ignite social interactions and community. The smiles and friendship that come from sitting around a bunny cuddle is contagious. Soon others in nursing homes want to be part of the fun and interaction. We see residents who have not been speaking come alive and start singing to our rabbits. Therapy rabbit inspiring Alzheimer's Patient - YouTube They look to those other residents sitting around them and begin sharing their stores and laughing with staff and visitors and even each other. When previously these same residents rarely partake in any social interactions at their facility. We have found the same with young adults who hear that the rabbits are coming and work to make it to see them and enjoy them with their friends. What we have found in our volunteerism is backed up by research.
Our rabbits are especially remarkable in helping humans break down barriers and because of the bunnies have a time to reach out to others and enjoy the visit together. This togetherness creates community. Community is love and the only remedy for the collective trauma that the COVID19 pandemic has placed into all of us. The virus caused deep isolation for every human, but the bunnies offer the remedy by sparking social interactions that bring a community together. This is especially affective in the populations that are suffering from anxiety, depression and feeling isolated or alienated from their peers. The interactions we as Bunny Besties sets up in our community helps to break down those barriers and may even make people feel more open to talking during or after a visit with us.
One of the most beneficial forms of Animal Assisted Interactions with rabbits is touch therapy. There are so many different kinds of furs on rabbits that it makes them ideal for the feeling of their softness on a human's hands. For some physical touch has become a form of stress and anxiety possibly after abuse. Animals can fulfill that primal need for touch in a safe and non-threatening way in a safe atmosphere. Interactions with rabbits can also be a teaching moment for appropriate touch being gentle hands. Even someone who is blind can sit two bunnies' side by side and enjoy feeling how different their fur is as they pet them. Studies have shown how the interaction with animals has the power to lower blood pressure and heart rates in patients being observed for study during AAI.
Incentive is also a great part of what the Bunny Besties Ambassador rabbits can do for children in reading programs with us. See how they have helped children at People Serving People Homeless Shelter. Accomplish With Kylie: Bunny Besties - YouTube
'Beautiful Little Soul': Therapy Bunnies Help Alzheimer's, Dementia Patients | HuffPost Good News
Examining the Effects of Rabbit-Assisted Interventions in the Classroom Environment - PMC (nih.gov)
Rabbits Make Remarkable Therapy Animals and Emotional Support Pets - The Latest National Disability News (ameridisability.com
Can You Have A Rabbit As A Therapy Animal? | miltse.com
animal-assisted interACTIONS (lacounty.gov)
Examining the Effects of Rabbit-Assisted Interventions in the Classroom Environment - PMC (nih.gov)
Rabbits Make Remarkable Therapy Animals and Emotional Support Pets - The Latest National Disability News (ameridisability.com
Can You Have A Rabbit As A Therapy Animal? | miltse.com
animal-assisted interACTIONS (lacounty.gov)
Bunny Besties ambassador rabbits
The Bunny Besties Ambassador Rabbits are the foundation for our nonprofit organization. Caring and kindness towards them is key to the kindness and love we share with the community. Keeping them in the best condition is of utmost concern. We try for the highest standards of care and love towards them.
Meet the bunnies on our website. Bunnies - Bunny Besties
Meet the bunnies on our website. Bunnies - Bunny Besties
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (rhdv2)
The Bunny Besties Ambassador Rabbits have all been fully vaccinated against RHDV2. It is highly contagious with a very high mortality rate. We keep our bunnies away from other rabbits to reduce risk of exposure. Learn all you can about RHDV2 and advocate for rabbit safety in regards to this illness. The Department of Animal Health has great information on this disease and rabbits. Please view and learn from their website. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease | Minnesota Board of Animal Health (state.mn.us)
MODULE #4: Working with our Equipment
Welcome to Working with our Equipment 101. This is the training module that will teach our procedures for set-up, tear-down, cleaning, disinfecting, unloading the car, loading the car, using rabbit carriers, and grooming before visits.
MODULE #5: Rabbit Home Care
Welcome to Rabbit Home Care 101. This is the module to learn how to properly take care of the therapy rabbit's at their home. This care is crucial because rabbit's are very fragile exotic pets who can die easily without the proper consistent care needed. This will cover tasks for feeding, watering, litter box care, hay feeders, proper food, greens, fresh water, and also grooming. This is a big job but probably the most important job of all that keeps our bunnies happy, healthy and ready to do their important work. Learn up!