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Good for You Network on Donate & Volunteer
Volunteering During COVID-19
Like thousands of other college students, I was shocked by the news of COVID-19 and our aborted Spring 2020 semester. I was happy to have an extra week of Spring Break while our school converted to online learning for the remainder of the semester, but I was anxious and uncertain about those changes and what they meant for my future. So, I did what many 20-somethings do when they are nervous and unsure – I went home to the comfort and familiarity of family, friends, and my hometown in Wisconsin. However, I quickly realized that the time with my friends and other social activities I normally use to tamp down my anxiety were not options in this time of social distancing. Enter my Grandma, who told me that the best way to forget about my own issues was to focus instead on what I could do for someone else. Volunteering was the perfect answer!
Many service organizations rely on volunteers. According to happiness.com, volunteers are critical to the effective operation of many companies, particularly those funded by the government or private donations where sufficient money may not be available to pay staff. In addition, volunteers themselves experience many benefits, including the opportunity to give back, connect with others, and an overall improvement in mental health and stress reduction.
Although many service organizations have closed during the current COVID-19 crisis to protect their staff and clients, the Dodge County Humane Society (DCHS), a non-profit organization in Juneau, Wisconsin dedicated to promoting animal welfare, was still open and in need of volunteer assistance. So I spent a beautiful spring morning walking several of the dogs currently available for adoption from the DCHS.
My volunteer assignment was simple – walk and play with the dogs for about 45 minutes each. The goal was to give the dogs exercise and continued social bonding time with people, while providing sufficient time for the DCHS staff to clean and sanitize their kennels. No training was needed, although the staff provided valuable insight into each dog’s personality and how best to interact with them. The nearby Wild Goose State Trail provided a scenic trail to walk the dogs with lots of interesting things for them to sniff and some great wildlife viewing for me. The Randy C. Fiegel Dog Park, located on the DCHS grounds, provided a wonderful playground opportunity with plenty of room to run and even some agility obstacles for the more adventurous pooches. The park is fenced in, so I could let the dogs off their leashes for some ball-chasing fun. For those dog owners in the area, I highly recommend purchasing the dog park season pass – your beloved canines will thank you!
In an effort to promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the DCHS recently implemented an online sign-up process for volunteers. Originally, they were accepting up to 15 dog walkers per hour, but they quickly discovered the dog park and walking trail became too crowded to maintain the recommended six foot spacing if that many volunteers showed up, so they reduced the maximum number of walkers to five per hour while expanding the number of available time slots. Overall, I found this to be a very effective and socially responsible way to balance the competing needs of public health and the animals’ welfare. I was particularly impressed by how quickly they identified the need to modify their scheduling and adapted accordingly. I think that kind of openness to change, attention to the needs of clients, and creative approach to meeting those needs are important lessons to apply in any type of leadership or customer service-focused experience and ones that I will remember the next time I lead such an activity.
One suggestion I would make to improve the DCHS’ sign-up process is to implement an edit requiring each individual dog walker be entered separately, which would help enforce the five walkers per hour maximum. Currently, the system is set up with five slots, but individuals can enter multiple people per slot, which can result in exceeding the maximum walker capacity. Going forward, I think this type of electronic sign-up will continue to be a valuable tool. COVID-19 isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, so social distancing and the need to promote public safety will continue to be an important consideration. However, I think the value of this tool will last well beyond this current health crisis by providing an efficient and accessible planning mechanism for DCHS staff and volunteers alike.
Picture courtesy of Samantha Livingston
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this volunteer experience. My grandma was right – it was exactly what I needed to take my mind off my own anxiety and concerns. I love animals, and the opportunity to spend time with such wonderful, loving creatures brought a smile to my face and my heart. It was also great exercise for both me and the dogs. I particularly liked that this is an activity that can appeal to and benefit people of all ages and abilities, and I think these types of opportunities for physical exercise and connection with other living creatures has never been more important than during this current health crisis. In addition, it may sound strange to say, but I found correlations between handling dogs of different ages, sizes, and personalities and what I’ve encountered when working with people of different abilities and temperaments. When working with people (or dogs), it’s important to remember that each one is unique, with different needs and experiences, so being able to recognize those needs and adapt accordingly is key to a successful and happy encounter.
I was inspired by my time at the DCHS. The staff are caring, compassionate, and truly dedicated to the animals they serve. I was honored to be part of their community for the day. I know the dogs benefited from the time I spent with them, but I think I benefited even more. Even now, back in my college apartment in Normal, I smile when I think of “my day with the dogs,” and I know that very soon I will be seeking out a humane society in the area to see how I might help them as a volunteer. I hope you’ll consider doing the same!
Works Cited
Zuleta, M. (2020, January 22). Why is volunteering important? These 7 great reasons show the benefits. Retrieved from https://www.happiness.com/en/magazine/personal-growth/why-volunteering-is-important-benefits/
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