The Effects of Volunteering

My official title at the Heartland Animal Shelter is “dog walker.” But if I could change the job title, I would rename it “official attention giver” or “helper around
the shelter,” because working at an animal shelter isn’t solely about taking
dogs out once a day. A significant part of the job is befriending the canines
and assisting other volunteers with their jobs, whether it means cleaning up a
cage or staying half of an hour longer to feed the dogs.


There are about fifty dogs at the shelter at any given time, each with their own
personality and needs. The two opportunities a day they have to escape out of
their kennels are important for the dogs both emotionally and physically. I
have made it my mission to not only give them a good workout, but to show them
I care by giving them extra minutes outside, a run around the yard, or a treat.


Working at an animal shelter has changed me in ways I never would have expected. I
always knew that I liked working with animals, but I never imagined that
working with people would be a big part of the job as well. When I leave,
Helen, a volunteer who feeds the dogs, always thanks me and tells me how
appreciative she is that I help not only the dogs, but her. Even if I don’t
receive pay for the job, I receive the benefit of not only helping dogs, but
people as well. When I am at the shelter, my main focus is on helping out, not on myself. It has made me become less selfish and more compassionate.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die." Volunteering gives us a purpose in life, even if it is a small one. Community service is always encouraged by both high schools and colleges. Whenever people would talk to me about it, it would go in one ear and out the other. But after being deeply involved in community service, I really understand why. So I encourage all of you out there to help others, whether they are people, dogs, or even the environment. Find your cause. Because when you do, your time will feel well spent.