Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our
lives whole. – Roger Cara

Anyone who has owned a pet knows, first hand, that they enrich our lives in ways we often are not fully aware of. “Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve cardiovascular health. Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults. Perhaps most importantly, though, a pet can add real joy and unconditional love to your life.

NSD Volunteers, especially those who handle and care for our dogs regularly, have told us for decades that the dogs enrich their lives. “The love, energy, smiles, and laughs the NSD dogs bring to our family are forever treasured, and we look forward to seeing them change the lives of their forever families as they have ours.”

Through volunteering, individuals and families have had the opportunity to meet and make new friends, and in some cases life partners, expand their social circle, learn new skills (dog training, pet first aid, communication); challenge themselves to step outside their comfort zone, and enhance their knowledge and empathy for their fellow Canadians and the challenges they face.

All of NSD’s dogs have a profound impact on the lives of their partners, families and in the case of our Facility Dogs, their communities. As volunteers, playing a part in that greater good is rewarding and inspirational.

When we speak to potential volunteers one theme runs through every conversation: “I could never raise a puppy because I couldn’t give them back.”

In honour of International Assistance Dog Week, our friends at Assistance Dogs International have done some Myth Busting for us with: Six excuses for not becoming a service dog volunteer and six reasons to ignore them:

1. I can’t afford to have a dog. By raising a future service dog you get the benefits of a dog in your home without the cost! NSD provides all the support volunteers need from providing dog food and core veterinary care to ongoing volunteer training.

2. I don’t have the time to look after a dog. There are a variety of different volunteering roles to suit your lifestyle and time commitment. NSD puppy/dog sitters and carpool drivers have the opportunity to enjoy the dogs without a long-term time commitment. Puppy Starters can assist for 3 months with early learning activities in the lead-up to the dogs going to their long-term
raiser homes. Whelping homes provide a safe, enriching environment for dog moms and their puppies, aged 0-8 weeks, and pack a lot of early learning into the 8 weeks the dogs are in their care.

3. I don’t know anything about raising dogs. Volunteers are supported every step of the way. NSD’s volunteer onboarding process is rigorous, informative, and we have training manuals, virtual classrooms and Knowledge Nibbles for everything! People who volunteer to care for puppies and dogs in training come to free, in-person obedience classes, receive ongoing support
services and have access to NSD’s Animal Health Line 24/7 in case of emergency health issues.

4. I’m stressed enough as it is. Service dogs in training are good for you! As mentioned above, research shows volunteers benefit physically and mentally from their experience, reporting improved companionship, exercise, well-being, and social life.

5. I couldn’t bear to part with my dog. It’s natural to have a strong bond with the dogs in your care. NSD assists you in transitioning the dog, you and your family through our process. NSD acknowledges and celebrates that bond through our annual Paws for Celebration, Knowledge Nibbles and newly developed Grief and Loss Support Program. When a National Service Dog
starts their new life as a service, facility or skilled companion dog, that’s not the end of the story. You have the immense satisfaction of knowing you have helped to change a life – and of course, there’s always the next litter of puppies waiting for a foster home!

6. What’s in it for me? Best of all…you’ll be changing someone’s life! Service dogs improve the lives of countless thousands of people around the world by helping with practical tasks, enhancing independence, boosting wellbeing, dignity, and confidence. By volunteering with NSD, an ADI member, you’ll be supporting one of the world’s leading programs for training
service, facility and skilled companion dogs.

Please consider joining our community – together we can enrich our lives and the lives of others through service.

Volunteer Today at https://nsd.on.ca/volunteer-opportunities

Footnotes:
The Benefits of Pets – Lawrence Robinson and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.