The Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s Doggie Day Out program gives college students an easy way to spend time with dogs while helping shelter animals find their forever homes.
TAMPA, FL. — For college students who love dogs but can’t have one of their own, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is offering a way to get their dog fix while giving back. Through its Doggie Day Out program, volunteers can take shelter dogs on outings for a couple hours, giving the animals a break from the shelter without requiring participants to make a long-term commitment.
The program, which began two years ago, was created to help dogs that have spent long periods of time at the shelter get outside, burn off energy and interact with new people.
Chris Madalena, volunteer manager at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, said the shelter houses more than 200 dogs at any given time, and some need additional exercise and attention.
“We love them so much, but the reality is it’s an institutional type of environment,” Madalena said.
He explained that the shelter environment can be stressful for dogs, especially those that have been there for extended time. Spending time outside allows them to experience new surroundings and receive individual attention that can be difficult to provide at the shelter.
The program is also designed to make volunteering more accessible. Unlike some of the Humane Society’s other volunteer opportunities, Doggie Day Out does not require participants to complete the same extensive training modules, making it easier for people with busy schedules to get involved.
For University of South Florida sophomore Jillian Sebree, the opportunity was especially appealing because she lives on campus and cannot have a dog of her own in her dorm.
“I chose to do Doggie Day Out because I think it’s a really good cause,” Sebree said. “As a sophomore living on campus, I’m not able to have a dog with me in my dorm, so it’s a good opportunity to play with dogs.”
Sebree spent her outing with a shelter dog named Big Momma, taking her to Davis Islands Beach and on a drive through downtown Tampa and along Bayshore Boulevard.
Madalena said the program has helped connect shelter animals with potential adopters. According to Madalena, more than 125 dogs that participated in Doggie Day Out were adopted last year.
The program can also serve as an introduction to other volunteer opportunities at the Humane Society.
“We find a lot of people start there and then reach out to find new ways to help,” Madalena said.
The Humane Society offers both short-term and long-term volunteer programs. Short-term volunteers may help walk dogs, do laundry, or assist with daily animal needs. Long-term volunteers have additional opportunities, including helping with adoptions, special events, the retail store, and humane education programs. Fostering is another way community members can help animals in need.
Madalena encourages volunteers to focus on providing enrichment and comfort to the animals, rather than simply completing tasks.
“Call them by their name. Tell Waffles he’s a good boy,” Madalena said. “If Waffles wants to smell every third piece of bark, absolutely. That’s a good day for Waffles.”
Doggie Day Out is open to participants 18 and older, and volunteers must register in advance. The Humane Society provides supplies, including leashes, harnesses and adoption vests, for each outing.
Students interested in participating or exploring additional volunteer opportunities can visit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s Doggie Day Out website.