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Willing Walker Mentorship Program

For Owners & Pet Professionals 

Program Overview

 

 

The Willing Walker Mentorship is a guided, emotionally focused introduction to companion animal support. Whether you’re a dog guardian hoping to better understand your pet, or a new professional seeking hours, structure, and mentorship, Phase 1 is your starting place.

 

This program emphasizes compassion over compliance, real-world

 

Here is a Phase 1 Policy Plan for your Willing Walker Mentorship Program: written in straightforward, supportive language and structured for clarity. It’s suitable for both pet guardians and aspiring professionals and reflects your emotionally focused, community-driven values.

Mentorship Policy 

1. Program Purpose

 

 

The Willing Walker Mentorship – Phase 1 is designed to help individuals build a foundation in emotionally supportive animal care. This phase is open to:

 

  • Pet guardians who want to better understand their own dog

  • New or aspiring professionals seeking experience, mentorship, and community

  • Volunteers or fosters looking to grow their confidence in real-world situations

 

 

You do not need to be a certified trainer. This program is meant to complement existing learning, help you explore your goals, and begin building a care-focused practice with guidance and reflection.

 

 

 

 

2. Core Values

 

 

All participants agree to uphold these values:

 

  • Pets Over Profit – The emotional well-being of animals comes first

  • Compassion Over Compliance – We do not use force or punishment

  • Community-Led Growth – We build each other up and refer out when needed

  • Meet the Dog Where They Are – Progress is dog-led, not timeline-led

  • Advocacy in Action – Our language and actions aim to empower guardians, not shame them

 

 

 

 

 

3. Structure of Phase 1

 

 

Phase 1 runs for 6 weeks (self-paced or group-supported). Participants will:

 

  • Track real-world observation hours with pets (their own, fosters, or through shadowing)

  • Complete 5 core reflection modules, focusing on:

    1. Observation & Communication

    2. Advocacy & Consent

    3. Emotional Milestones & Behavioural Awareness

    4. Setting Up Safe Environments

    5. Speaking Up With Confidence (vet, groomer, public, etc.)

  •  

  • Receive 1 mentorship check-in (group or 1:1 depending on enrollment)

  • Be invited to participate in the Willing Walker Community Forum

 

 

This is not a certification, but it can be used to build toward a community-recognized path within the Leashly network or to support your future direction.

 

 

 

 

4. Expectations of Participants

 

 

  • Kindness & Openness – No judgment; everyone’s learning

  • Respect Confidentiality – Stories shared in mentorship or groups stay private

  • Track Your Time Honestly – Your growth is for you, not performance

  • Refer When Outside Scope – Know when to ask for help; that’s strength

  • Use Humane Tools Only – No aversive gear or dominance-based approaches

 

 

 

 

 

5. Participation Options

 

 

You can take Phase 1 as:

 

  • A personal development journey for you and your own pet

  • A pre-professional experience with tracked hours and feedback

  • A volunteer foster training tool for better support and adoption matching

 

 

This flexible format allows you to gain what you need most right now.

 

 

 

 

6. Mentorship Role

 

 

Mentorship is about guidance, not grading. You’ll be supported by a Companion Coach—not a certified trainer, but an experienced foster, walker, and advocate who has supported over 1,000 dogs through emotional healing and daily care.

 

We’re here to help you see what’s possible, not tell you what to do.

 

 

 

 

7. Fees & Access

 

 

  • Sliding scale payment is available for individuals who need financial support

  • Group mentorship cohorts may run seasonally

  • Scholarships or work-trade spots may be offered based on availability

 

 

All paid participants receive:

 

  • Full access to digital materials

  • 1 mentorship check-in

  • Continued access to the community hub

 

 

 

 

 

8. Optional Add-Ons

 

 

  • Additional 1:1 mentorship hours

  • Business startup coaching (Phase 2: Launchpad)

  • Foster-to-Adopter storytelling coaching

  • Journal tracking + Leashly Badge Builder add-on

 

 

 

 

 

9. Community Agreements

 

 

As a participant in Willing Walker Mentorship, you agree to:

 

✔ Practice patience (with yourself and others)

✔ Ask questions freely—we grow by asking

✔ Never punish a dog for communication

✔ Advocate, educate, and support within your lane

✔ Commit to ongoing learning, not quick fixes

 

 

 

 

10. Completion

 

 

Upon finishing Phase 1, you’ll receive:

 

  • A personal reflection summary

  • A feedback form to guide your next step

  • Eligibility for Phase 2 if desired (Launchpad or Badge Builder)

  • Optional recognition in the Willing Walker mentorship community

 

 

 

 

This is where meaningful change begins—with one step, one dog, one advocate at a time. Welcome to the journey.

What to include in the Refund Policy

Generally speaking, a Refund Policy often addresses these types of issues: the timeframe for asking for a refund; will the refund be full or partial; under which conditions will the customer receive a refund; and much, much more.

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