It seems to me there are a couple of issues here. I don't think a shelter wants just any JoeBloe walking in one day to say "hey I'd like to help by walking your dogs". The shelter needs to know something about its volunteers though a criminal check might be a bit much. If someone has been volunteering at a shelter for some time so the staff knows them and now new policies are being put into effect, then the shelter should have some sort of informational meeting/handout for all its volunteers so they know what and why. And even when volunteers have been accepted, some mini-training should be included for handling dogs. Many shelter dogs have been abused so I wouldn't want a volunteer who grew up under the "old" system of training with spanking and collar yerking now handling a special needs dog. Actual certification for dog walkers - no - the government intrudes enough.
Old people and old dogs
-
Anyone knows about an association that links older people to old abandonned dogs (that are often totally ignored and not seens as desirable pets)
I live in France and older people like having a dog or a cat as a companion but are simply not even given the chance to buy an animal from rescue organisations or others. Some people have taken it upon themselves to help "match" old dogs with our older population. It is working really well and I would like to know if anyone knows about such associations in their countries. I would love to be involved and help. An old dog, walking slowly along one of our elders is a real pleasure to look at. -
The only older Dog organization en Suisse I have heard of is http://www.oasis-des-veterans.com
but I dont know if she matches up older dogs with older ppl - she does adopt them out though.
made my heart melt, and my eyes get a bit watery - so I had to "godparent" a dog.
-
The only older Dog organization en Suisse I have heard of is http://www.oasis-des-veterans.com
but I dont know if she matches up older dogs with older ppl - she does adopt them out though.
made my heart melt, and my eyes get a bit watery - so I had to "godparent" a dog.
That's a good idea to become a godmother, I'll check the site; I felt like you when a saw a program on TV, as the person who looks after older dogs lets elderly people adopt them and if they die, she takes the dogs back! All the dogs were crippled, half blind, no teeth, etc,etc, I was nearly in tears at the end of the programme, getting too sentimental I think! Saying that, the dogs looked much happier than a lot of elderly people in old people's homes!
