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Fun opportunities for pets and their ‘parents.’
The desire to volunteer and give back to the community is a calling that draws many Lowcountry residents. Often, even when people have the desire to give of themselves and their time, they remain unsure of what type of community service they would enjoy. Those with dogs who have great temperaments and love to love people now have two new options for volunteer service. If your dog has been certified through an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator, you are eligible for both programs.
You can volunteer through Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s new “Hospets” program. This new group allows owners and their dogs to visit residents at most of the area’s nursing homes on both a regular and unscheduled basis. Participants can partake in planned monthly visits with other volunteers, or can stop by to say hello to residents when they have free time. These are not necessarily hospice patients, but could be any pet-friendly resident of local facilities, including memory unit residents. You can also visit individuals in their homes, along with hospice nurses and volunteer caregivers.
At the other end of the volunteer spectrum, how about mentoring kids in a reading program? The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton invite you to bring your dog to an afternoon “Paws to Read” program on a regularly scheduled basis. Kids sit in small circles around a dog and take turns reading aloud. This builds self-confidence and reading skills without adult criticism. Kids get to pet pooches and read animal-related books to their new furry friends. The adult mentor who brings the dog provides support and encouragement to the often shy or unsure readers.
If your dog is not yet CGC certified and you are interested in evaluation, training classes, or if you are interested in Paws to Read, contact Abby Bird at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (843) 837-4327.
