Volunteer Spotlight: Darren Meyer

Two years ago, Darren Meyer was driving down Macklind Avenue when people walking dogs caught his eye. He had always loved dogs but didn’t have pets at home, so he decided to check out the HSMO website to learn more. When he found out these were volunteers and something he, too, could do, he submitted an application.

His training began in June, and he started walking dogs in July. For Darren, a typical shift consists of a few hours of getting the dogs outside for exercise, socialize and play time.

“My schedule is flexible, so personally I enjoy sticking around to spend more time with the dogs that are actively building confidence, the senior dogs, and the dogs that just generally could use an extra break from their kennel,” he says.

For Darren, the most rewarding part of volunteering is being able to have that direct impact on the lives of the animals in HSMO’s care.

“Whether it is helping develop the pups into better candidates for adoption, or just improving their lives during the time that they are passing through the shelter, it is extremely meaningful to know that you have helped them along their journey to a loving forever home,” he says. “Dogs are a tremendous gift to humanity; they add so much to our lives. I find that being able to pay back even a small portion of that gift is a very rewarding feeling.”

Darren initially went into the volunteering experience “simply expecting to take dogs on a walk,” but has come to find an organization full of people who are dedicated to animal welfare.

“If you are considering volunteering with HSMO, I believe you will find it a gratifying experience — both for you and for the animals!” he says. “There are numerous volunteering opportunities — in addition to dog walking, you can lend a hand with the education department, feline enrichment, and laundry — just to name a few. Every volunteer can make a positive impact. And every volunteer can be positively impacted by the experience.”

Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities at HSMO!