Want to become a Bunny Besties volunteer?
Bunny Besties changed my life. I was a recipient of Bunny Besties’ programming while a college student struggling with transferring to a big school in a big city with no friends. Bunny Besties immediately welcomed me and gave me a place to destress, a place where I belonged and could make friends. It moved me so much that I became a volunteer and then a board member so I could give back to the community and help others the way I was helped. - M. Hanson
Begin your journey with Bunny Besties!
Bunny Besties is an all volunteer organization and we are always looking for great people to share their time helping us to serve our mission in our community!
Bunny Besties offers a creative way to volunteer in the Twin Cities community. Join our Bunny Bestie Brigade to volunteer with us at our happy home or in the greater community. Our mission is to work to reduce stress, by incorporating AAI into programs that provide support to those in need. With our supportive team we will help our volunteers to succeed in helping the cutest little nonprofit in town!
We love having as many rabbits in our organization as possible but we also really want people who just support us and want to lend a helping hand at our many events. We currently do not use volunteer rabbits due to RHDV2 but we love human helpers with our fluffle. It takes a dedicated team to deliver the greatest Bunny Bestie experience across the Twin Cities. We need lots of volunteers to help with the therapy rabbits of Bunny Besties. Your support is critical in so many ways!
Bunny Besties registers and certifies its own team members. Meaning we extensively train and mentor our team in our registration process. When volunteering as a Bunny Bestie you are insured with up to $2 million of liability insurance. We provide local support for your needs and are proud to say our rabbit therapy specific training is a unique and comprehensive.
We work to provide comfort and support and strive to help those who are in stressful situations. We work in hospice, homelessness, nursing facilities, hospitals, therapy support group settings, and at the University of Minnesota PAWS program (Pet Away Worry and Stress) and even have a student club at Minnetonka High School. We also offer the programs of Stress Less with Bunny Besties, Bunny Story Time and Reading to the Rabbits in schools and libraries. We work hard to give those in need of stress relief a bunny break in their day. We work in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Bunny Besties offers a creative way to volunteer in the Twin Cities community. Join our Bunny Bestie Brigade to volunteer with us at our happy home or in the greater community. Our mission is to work to reduce stress, by incorporating AAI into programs that provide support to those in need. With our supportive team we will help our volunteers to succeed in helping the cutest little nonprofit in town!
We love having as many rabbits in our organization as possible but we also really want people who just support us and want to lend a helping hand at our many events. We currently do not use volunteer rabbits due to RHDV2 but we love human helpers with our fluffle. It takes a dedicated team to deliver the greatest Bunny Bestie experience across the Twin Cities. We need lots of volunteers to help with the therapy rabbits of Bunny Besties. Your support is critical in so many ways!
Bunny Besties registers and certifies its own team members. Meaning we extensively train and mentor our team in our registration process. When volunteering as a Bunny Bestie you are insured with up to $2 million of liability insurance. We provide local support for your needs and are proud to say our rabbit therapy specific training is a unique and comprehensive.
We work to provide comfort and support and strive to help those who are in stressful situations. We work in hospice, homelessness, nursing facilities, hospitals, therapy support group settings, and at the University of Minnesota PAWS program (Pet Away Worry and Stress) and even have a student club at Minnetonka High School. We also offer the programs of Stress Less with Bunny Besties, Bunny Story Time and Reading to the Rabbits in schools and libraries. We work hard to give those in need of stress relief a bunny break in their day. We work in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
To become a Bunny Bestie Certified Ambassadors, volunteers have done the following:
- Completed a background check.
- Completed a Volunteer Application form at bottom of page.
- Had your introductory meeting with the Executive Director to answer all questions you might have.
- Have gone to website and begun their $10 recurring payment. This covers the cost of training.
- Ambassadors are asked to cover their basic expenses and that includes a monthly recurring fee of $10.
- Ambassadors can also choose to turn in the total fees for the year of $120.
- Have purchased an embroidered logo polo from Lands End Business.
- Have completed six hours of mentoring with a Bunny Bestie Senior Member at events.
- Have been tested for skill level when mentoring is completed.
- Have turned in all applicable volunteer paperwork and fees for registration and certification at meeting with Executive Director at the end of the process.
- Celebrated the accomplishment of becoming a Bunny Besties Ambassador!
Bunny Besties is proud of our efforts within our community. We received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award – and have been voted a Great Nonprofit for 2021 and 2011. We encourage all of our Ambassadors to work towards an PVSA award. Volunteering with us is a way to receive this prestigious award. (Presidential Service Awards).
Please consider joining us in our efforts. We have so much work to do right here in Minnesota. Please contact us at [email protected] for additional information. We can’t wait to hear from you. We are all ears!
Please consider joining us in our efforts. We have so much work to do right here in Minnesota. Please contact us at [email protected] for additional information. We can’t wait to hear from you. We are all ears!
Your Rights as a ambassador with bunny besties:
You are a true asset to our programs at the University of Minnesota and our Community Outreach and you as a volunteer have the rights and we would like to share those with you.
- You have the right to be treated as a co-worker, who is an integral member of our team. Not just free help.
- You have the right to know as much about the organization of Bunny Besties and the University of Minnesota PAWS program. All of the policies, procedures and people involved.
- You have the right to a volunteer position description when requested.
- You have the right to be trained in your volunteer role and receive continuing education that includes training to gain additional responsibilities if desired.
- You have the right to new opportunities and new experiences throughout campus in regard to therapy animals and animal assisted interactions.
- You have the right to sound guidance and direction from supervisor.
- You have the right to be heard. Feel free to make suggestions and have a part in planning events.
- You have the right to be recognized for great efforts!
- You have the right to look for communication from the supervisor on progress through day to day expressions of appreciation and by being treated as a respected co-worker.
- You have the right to treat your position as a job and see the members of the team as your co-workers.
Your Responsibility as a ambassador with bunny besties:
There are responsibilities that accompany your rights as a volunteer. All those involved in the working relationship must have a respect for one another and for the mission we have on campus. As a volunteer your responsibilities are:
All volunteers are required to have a background check completed to begin volunteering with Bunny Besties.
Thank you for your help in getting this vital step completed.
- Treat your volunteer service as a volunteer job. We are all volunteers at Bunny Besties and running this organization relies on professionalism of volunteer staff.
- Be prompt and reliable in reporting for scheduled work. Keep accurate record of your hours by signing in and signing out through our flipcause app at events. (Coming soon!)
- Be prompt in signing up for events either as going or not going. Please see this as good communication. Know this is the first step in volunteering with us.
- Come appropriately dressed with a white t-shirt, pants and closed toe shoes. We wear Bunny Besties Embroidered Aprons to keep bunny hair off your clothes.
- Be considerate and respectful of other team members, respect the abilities and gifts that our diverse team brings, and work as a member of the team.
- If you have feedback about another person, please convey it to the supervisor and keep business on the up and up.
- Always bring a good attitude.
- Carry out assignments in good spirit and seek the assistance of senior team members that require special guidance.
- Decline work that is not acceptable to you or to our Best Practices. Do not skimp on our best practices as our professionalism is of utmost importance.
- Maintain an open mind in regard to other people’s standards and values. We have a wonderfully diverse team and our mission is to embrace each other with love and acceptance.
- We are always looking to improve our offering. Please feel valued to share your feedback, suggestions, and recommendations to your supervisor. They will be welcomed!
- Communicate personal limitations to supervisor and team members.
- Accept the right of the PAWS program and Bunny Besties to dismiss any volunteer for poor performance, poor attitude and poor attendance or lack of communication.
- Give notice to Jennifer Smith with Bunny Besties if you cannot continue in your volunteer position.
All volunteers are required to have a background check completed to begin volunteering with Bunny Besties.
Thank you for your help in getting this vital step completed.
Our Policy
It is the policy of this organization to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, age, or disability. Thank you for completing this application form and for your interest in volunteering with us.