(SAC) Dog Walker  

Dog Walker – Be Their Favorite Part of the Day

Leash up and lift spirits — theirs and yours.

Some dogs wait hours, even days, for a chance to get outside. As a Volunteer Dog Walker, you are the highlight of their day. You’ll be the one to give them a break from the kennel, help them stretch their legs, and teach them the polite leash skills that make them more adoptable — and happier while they wait.

Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for compassionate, dependable volunteers who:

• Enjoy spending time with dogs of all sizes and energy levels

• Are comfortable handling dogs on leash and willing to learn shelter walking protocols

• Can follow safety and cleanliness guidelines

• Are patient, kind, and committed to helping dogs show their best selves to potential adopters

 Responsibilities

• Work with dogs identified by staff to reduce kennel stress and improve adoption chances

• Check in with your assigned point of contact each shift for your walking list and updates

• Use each dog’s designated leash to reduce risk of disease transmission

• Never walk pets showing signs of illness or injury – alert staff immediately

• Walk dogs only in approved areas and paths

• Prioritize dogs who haven’t yet been walked for the day

• Record each walk on the designated activity sheet

• After completing your assigned list, check back in to help more if time allows

• Refrain from walking dogs past your scheduled shift unless you’ve extended your time in Galaxy

The Impact
You’re not just walking dogs — you’re changing lives. Kennel environments can be loud and stressful, especially for high-energy or sensitive dogs. Your time gives them:

• Mental & physical relief from confinement

• Leash training practice and exposure to basic commands

• Increased socialization, making them more appealing to adopters

• An outlet for dogs not suited for group play yards

By helping reduce kennel stress, you’re boosting their chances of adoption, reducing undesirable behaviors, and making their stay at the shelter a little more humane. And in return? You’ll build real, tail-wagging connections with animals who need you most.

What you need to get started:

• Animal Health Training - Animal Health 

• Animal Handling - Animal Handling

• Animal Behavior Training - Animal Behavior

Volunteer duties, access and privileges are only valid for the duration of the assigned shift in which they have chosen on the on-line volunteer scheduling system. There is a 15-minute grace period before and after each shift so that the volunteer may prepare and/or end their volunteer assignments.