Walk a Shelter Dog for Fitness and a Good Cause

Are you looking for a way to spice up your exercise routine? Do you want a companion for your daily walks? Do you need some extra motivation to get outside and get your body moving? Look no further than your local animal shelter. Adoptable dogs need exercise and daily walks, and for that, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities.

Vitaly Gariev via Pexels

I work part-time at an animal shelter, and I can tell it is a lot of work. By the end of my shift, I am often worn out and ready for a nap. I have still volunteered my time after my shift to take a dog for a walk—it was great fun, and I dearly want to do it again, but because I suffer from long COVID I usually do not have much energy left for dog walking. That is where volunteers come in.

Volunteers play a vital role at any participating animal shelter. Paid staff have their time and energy spread quite thin already, and giving one-on-one attention to animals in their care is a challenge, though one met with effort and dedication. So when volunteers come in with fresh energy and an eagerness to participate, it helps us a great deal. But more importantly, it helps the dogs.

Any dog owner will tell you that dogs need time and attention. They need exercise, play, and time outside. They have lots of energy to expend, especially after being cooped up in a kennel all night long. A 30-minute walk works wonders and will likely be a highlight of any shelter dog’s day. It also helps to socialize the canine and makes them more adoptable. At the shelter where I work, adoptable dogs also wear an adorable “Adopt Me” bandana while out on walks with their volunteer.

I know your time might be limited. I cannot speak for all animal shelters, but in general, you do not need to commit to regular shifts, and you will not be pressured to adopt the dogs you take for walks. If you do grow attached and decide to adopt your exercise companion, great! That does happen. But more often than not, volunteers are not really looking to adopt, and any kind of commitment is not expected. Maybe you’ll try it once and decide it isn’t really for you, or find that it doesn’t work with your schedule. That is okay! Any little bit helps. And don’t worry—the shelter will offer you the training and information you need in order to safely take a canine companion for an outdoor adventure.

If you are interested in volunteer dog walking, reach out to your local animal shelter or check their website to see what kind of volunteer opportunities are available. Explore the great outdoors with a dog at your side. You will be contributing to the animal shelter in a tangible way and making a positive impact on an animal’s happiness and wellbeing. And you will have fun in the process.

Bonus: This is Maverick, the dog I walked at Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter after my shift. He is so smart and fun, and he was eager to please—he kept looking back at me for approval as we walked and jogged together. He has found a loving home with an energetic family and is sure to bring them many years of companionship.

Courtesy of Heart of Minnesota