Different Ways You Can Volunteer with Your Dog
Volunteering is not only a rewarding experience for humans but can also be incredibly fulfilling for our furry friends! If you’re a dog owner looking to give back while spending time with your pet, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer together. From spreading joy in hospitals to lending a paw to those in need, here are some ways you and your dog can make a difference!
Therapy Dog Visits
First, becoming a therapy dog team is one of the most popular ways to volunteer with your dog! Therapy dogs provide comfort, companionship, and emotional support to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other facilities. Organizations like Pet Partners offer training and certification programs to prepare you and your dog for this rewarding role!
Animal-Assisted Activities
Animal-assisted activities involve bringing trained dogs to various settings to engage with people positively! This can include visiting libraries for children’s reading programs, participating in stress-relief events on college campuses, or attending community events to provide petting and cuddling opportunities. These activities benefit the people involved and strengthen the bond between you and your dog!
Search and Rescue Teams
If you have a high-energy, well-trained dog with a keen sense of smell and a love for adventure, you might consider joining a search and rescue team! These teams assist in locating missing persons in wilderness areas, natural disasters, and urban settings. Training is rigorous and requires dedication, but the sense of purpose and accomplishment is unparalleled!
Assistance Dog Training
Next, some organizations offer programs that allow volunteers to train service dogs or assistance dogs! These dogs are qualified to help individuals with disabilities, such as mobility assistance dogs, guide dogs for blind people, or psychiatric service dogs. While this type of volunteering requires a significant time commitment and specialized training, your dog’s impact on someone’s life is immeasurable!
Animal Shelter Support
Animal shelters always need volunteers, and many welcome well-behaved dogs to accompany their owners! You can assist with dog walking, socialization, grooming, and adoption events. Not only does this provide enrichment for shelter dogs, but it also helps increase their chances of finding homes!
Canine Blood Donation
Like humans, dogs sometimes need blood transfusions due to illness, injury, or surgery. If your dog meets the eligibility criteria, you can volunteer them as a blood donor. Veterinary blood banks rely on volunteer donors to ensure a steady supply of blood products for canine patients in need.