Community volunteering plays a vital role in fostering a sense of unity and support

within neighborhoods and societies. It involves individuals dedicating their time, skills, and

resources to various causes without monetary compensation, driven by a desire to make a

positive impact. Whether it's assisting the elderly, cleaning up local parks, or organizing

fundraisers for charity, community volunteering embodies the spirit of selflessness and empathy.

By volunteering, individuals not only contribute to the betterment of their community but also

experience personal growth, develop new skills, and forge meaningful connections with others.

For my community service project, I decided to volunteer with one of the local dog rescues in the

Denver area called Lifeline Puppy Rescue.

Lifeline Puppy Rescue stands as a beacon of hope for puppies and mother dogs in need

across five states within the Rocky Mountain Region. Operating as a non-profit, no-kill shelter,

they collaborate with a network of 33 shelters and rescue groups to rescue these animals,

preventing unnecessary euthanasia. To date, their efforts have resulted in saving over 44,000

lives. The rescue’s presence in small towns and rural areas is particularly impactful, highlighting

the vital connection they have in the communities. Together, through collective efforts, they, not

only save lives, but also build families within the community. In order to volunteer at this rescue,

you must be 13 years or older, fill out an application, attend a 1-hour orientation session,

purchase a Lifeline volunteer t-shirt, and sign up for at least 3-6 volunteer hours per month. You

also must agree to show up on time and commit to helping with all aspects of puppy care

including kennel cleaning, grounds clean-up, laundry, puppy feeding and watering, medication

distribution, adoption set-up and break down, adoption process assistance, puppy transfer intake,

adoption prep, sign creation, and puppy playtime and walks.

 During my four-hour shift at Lifeline, I started the morning with kennel clean up. This

consists of going around to over 20 kennels, making sure all puppy waste is picked up and

disposed of, along with administering more rocks in areas of wear and tear or where the puppies

have dug holes. After that, I mixed buckets of puppy food with nutritional powder and

distributed that into small bowls for all the kennels. I dumped out all old water bowls and refilled

them, along with filling up any baby pools inside the bigger kennels with water so the puppies

could stay cool. Once all the hard work was done for the morning, I had the responsibility of

getting the puppies out of their kennels and taking them into a larger play area to show them

some love and get some excess energy out of them. In order to get them from the kennel to the

play pen, we needed to do a little leash training which required a great deal of patience and

motivation for the puppies.

Volunteering at a dog rescue for community volunteer hours is not just a way to fulfill

requirements; it's an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of animals and the

community. By dedicating time and effort to caring for rescue dogs, volunteers not only help

prepare these animals for their forever homes but also contribute to the well-being of their

communities. Through this experience, volunteers often find a sense of fulfillment and purpose,

developing valuable skills and building connections that extend far beyond their volunteer hours.

Not to mention, who doesn’t need a little “puppy time” once in awhile?! This is an experience I

will always cherish and plan on continuing to do in the future.