Volunteer Spotlight: Emily Lawrence

Emily Lawrence started as a volunteer dog walker at HSMO’s Macklind Avenue shelter in 2018 and calls it “the best decision I ever made.”

In her time as a volunteer, she’s seen how truly impactful time outside the kennel can be for shelter pups. Because of this, she often takes dogs on field trips to nearby parks and to Treats Unleashed to pick out a cookie.

“The loud shelter environment can be really stressful for many dogs, so to see them relax and enjoy themselves is an indescribable feeling and a profound reminder of why this work matters,” she says.

Emily notes that volunteering as a dog walker is about so much more than taking the pups for walks. Dog walkers also provide socialization, exercise and mental simulation.

“We help dogs trust again,” she says. “We’re increasing their chances of being adopted into loving homes. And the cliché turns out to be true: the dogs give back to us, too.”

Emily encourages anyone considering volunteering at HSMO to begin their volunteer journey as soon as possible.

“You will find a great community of volunteers; you’ll spend time with hundreds – if not thousands – of animals; you’ll fall in love; you’ll have your heart broken; and you’ll keep coming back, because the animals need you.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at both of our locations, click here.