What is something you do to volunteer your time and donate your talent back?

 I have been a volunteer dog walker since 2008. I volunteer for City Dog Facilities, Humane Societies and Dog Wardens to help keep the dogs exercised, trained and socialized while they wait to be adopted or go home to their parents. 

What does a typical volunteer day look like and how does this impact your personal life?

A volunteer day is working with the staff to see what the needs are. Review and learn the dogs that are in the facility to be prepared before entering their kennel. Greeting each dog – harnessing them, taking them outside on walks or to play in a fenced in area. Practicing behaviors with them, sit, stay, down, paw, off. Building a relationship with the dog to provide positive enrichment to their lives. Usually walk between 3-4 hours on a shift, 10-12 dogs. Most walks for larger, medium dogs are 30 minutes each, smaller dogs 10-15 minutes. When I walk into the room the dogs all go crazy, they see me and cannot wait for me to come and get them. It is amazing to the most important person to them and get a standing ovation every time they see you. The reward to me is priceless, knowing I can give love and attention to an animal a human failed. It is the best experience I have ever done for nothing more than love back from the dogs, cats, etc. 

Any words of wisdom to share for other women looking to volunteer their time but not feeling like they have the time to do so?

 Anytime that you have to spend volunteering is a blessing for the dogs, cats, etc. Even if it is one dog, cleaning one cat cage, that is one more than if you had not shown up. Any time that you can give is more than if you just did nothing.