Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Post

#VolunteersWeek Today we want to put the spotlight on two very important volunteer roles - a human and dog combo! 🙍♀️🐶 Many of our dogs, especially the ex racing greyhounds, may have never have experienced other breeds of dogs before. It's important that we understand how they react to them, and the only way we can do this is by carefully introducing them to other breeds...and we are a little short of terriers in our kennels! 😁 Small dogs are particularly relevant, as they may be mistaken for a hare that has been chased around a track, but it is important to understand how our hounds cope with other breeds too. This allows us to assess whether they could be homed with a non-sighthound, or even how they might react to one when out on a walk. Therefore we rely on some wonderful human volunteers bringing their doggy volunteers to work our experienced kennel team, enabling us to test our hounds compatibility with other breeds of dog. Not only do we assess our hounds initial reaction to seeing another dog, the doggy volunteer works with the dog in question on an ongoing basis to help them understand that all not dogs have long pointy noses, and long legs! You will see the results of this testing on the their profiles. In fact, we recently put out a request for volunteer help in this regard, and we were overwhelmed with the response. Here is new recruit Bryn and his amazing mum (who was a little camera shy!), with homeless hound Charlie. Charlie hasn't come straight from the track, and with the amazing work Bryn has done, Charlie has been assessed as no longer needing a muzzle in his company. These volunteers really are invaluable to the rehabilitation and subsequent rehoming of dogs in our care and we can't thank them enough. 🙏

Happy Friday, everyone! I am so proud to be working alongside so many talented Seeing Eye Dogs trainers and devoted volunteers...but we are facing some uphill battles ahead. According to the SEEK Volunteer Report 2023: There is a rising demand for volunteers by community organisations, with volunteering opportunities having increased by 7% year-on-year, after a 3% increase the year prior. Organisations asking for a minimum six-month commitment attract less than one application per opportunity. Volunteers are more than twice as likely to apply for one-off volunteering opportunities in preference to longer-term commitments.  In Victoria, opportunities increased by 12% but there was only a 1% increase in applications. And this report sums up what we are experiencing too at Seeing Eye Dogs. So, on this Friday, I would ask my dog-loving friends to take a moment to consider volunteering with Seeing Eye Dogs for the next 6 to 12 months, and to open your home to a future dog guide. You will be so proud of yourself to be part of a life-changing journey for someone who is blind or has low vision. https://lnkd.in/g8669QDe

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK VOLUNTEER SHOUTOUT: There are so many wonderful volunteers who dedicate their time to our lifesaving mission, and today we wanted to take a moment to thank longtime Lucky Dog Foster Katie Noble. In her own words, “I was first introduced to Lucky Dog in the summer of 2012 when I began searching for my first dog. I ended up adopting Kaylee, a pit mix, that September. After she settled in, I fostered a few Lucky Dogs on occasion, but really got into the foster mom life in 2017. Since then, I have fostered 250 puppies, dogs, and kittens, and adopted another Lucky Dog in 2023.   My volunteer work with Lucky Dog has become a significant part of my identity. The job is more than just cuddles and kisses: it's the satisfaction of seeing each animal find their humans. It's knowing that, by taking in a litter of puppies, I'm making room for another litter to take their place in the shelter. It's getting to know all these animals as individuals. Everyone wants to find a "purpose" in life, something that defines them - rescue is mine, and some of my greatest personal achievements have been made possible due to Lucky Dog.   To anyone considering volunteer work with Lucky Dog, I say this: even the smallest contribution is invaluable to these animals. They always need a driver to get them to adoption events or vet appointments. They always need a human to hold their leash while they meet potential families. Documents need to be printed and travel crates need to be cleaned. Donations don't have to be extravagant - the #1 item I use on a daily basis is paper towels! The process of pulling an animal from the shelter and finding them the perfect home requires so many people doing so many different types of jobs, and all of them are absolutely necessary. Whatever your "best" is: it's more than enough to make a difference.” #IAmLuckyDog #WhyIVolunteer #NationalVolunteerWeek #Gratitude #TuesdayThoughts

Great piece from PBS on the rising cost of adopting and caring for a dog. This is one of the factors to consider before becoming dog owner and is something we at the American Dog Society can help owners plan and budget for. It best to understand and know the cost of dog ownership prior to adoption to ensure the dog remains in their new home and will not be returned to the shelter. https://lnkd.in/gsJcjgWv

It’s National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day! Today is a day to celebrate the shelter pets you dedicate your lives to saving 🧡   Approximately 7 million homes in America plan to add a pet to their family this year. According to 2023 data collected by Best Friends, if just 6% more chose to adopt, we would close the lifesaving gap and save every at-risk pet in our nation's shelters.   But we have to welcome them in with open, inclusive adoption practices, or we risk them turning to other sources for their family pets. Learn more about removing common obstacles to adoption here: https://lnkd.in/ejWWz4zJ

Shelters and rescues that are increasing dog adoptions use the WIRC recipe for success - Welcome, Inform, Respect, Celebrate. They engage with their communities, inviting members into their organization and supporting them through the adoption process. Over the next few weeks, we'll share more about each of these pillars. You can always access all the resources in the toolkit here: https://ow.ly/BeLZ50PYoh9

How do we get every shelter to adopt this? Have you ever heard of "Shelter Skip Day"? It's a brilliant program that allows volunteers to spend a day with an adorable dog, giving them a break from the shelter and a taste of freedom and fun. I read recently that the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area is having some heartwarming results from its implementation of the program. Here’s how it works: anyone who loves dogs can sign one out for a day of adventure. Whether you're looking to adopt or just want some furry companionship for a few hours, the shelter provides all the supplies and a list of dog-friendly spots to visit—hiking trails, dog-friendly coffee shops, parks, and more. Why is this so amazing? Let me count the ways: For the Dogs: It’s a breath of fresh air, literally! A day out helps them de-stress, stay healthy, and get noticed by potential adopters who might not have seen them in their kennels. For the People: It's a puppy-love fest. You enjoy a rewarding day filled with doggy cuddles and wagging tails. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to give back to the community. Programs like these are changing the game for shelters and the animals they care for. If you’re near a shelter, I urge you to ask them about starting a Shelter Skip Day program. It’s an enriching experience for dogs, humans, and our bond. Not to mention: spreading joy and increasing adoption rates? Win-win-WIN. Does your local shelter help you play hooky with a purpose? Share your Shelter Skip Day stories in the comments below. 🐾 👉 Click and FOLLOW my LinkedIn hashtag #dogsimeet for more Dog Tales and brand marketing tips and advice. #animalwelfare #kindness #love

Just 6% more. That’s both a huge goal and a small step at the same time. The same applies to so many causes that matter to each of us — we tend to look for the 100% solution to huge goals and gets paralyzed by that, that we forget we just need to take one small step to start. One action. One campaign. One conversation.

Yay! It's National Make a Dog's Day! 🐶 🦴 If you are like me and have furry office mates, give them an extra treat, a belly rub, or a longer walk. 💡 The ability to work from home isn't just great for humans. More than 23 million American households — nearly 1 in 5 nationwide — adopted a pet during the pandemic, according to the @ASPCA. 🐺 Those animals are not used to being left alone. Many developed behavior problems associated with separation anxiety, when workers were required to return to the office. Since then millions of animals have been surrendered to shelters. The majority of no-kill shelters have been at capacity since late 2022, with no end in sight. 💡 So, if you are in a position to do so, consider making a dog's day by volunteering at your local animal shelter. 💡 Or save a dog's life by adopting a new fuzzy friend, like my sidekick Jackie! #remotework

What is the meaning of Dogtober? As you may know, October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, or what we like to call Dogtober! And this Dogtober, we encourage everyone to get involved to promote adoption and help give more second chances to loving dogs across the nation. -ASPCA #DogTober #dogs #DogsAreAmazing #DogLovers #DogsAreFamily #ShelterDog