Kids Find Purpose Helping At Animal Humane Society
The Animal Humane Society (AHS) is giving kids hands-on experience in the shelter through one of its education programs.
Typically, AHS volunteers need to be 16 or older. However, a program called Project Purpose lets the younger kids help with service projects and learn more about animals. It offers programs for kids in grades 3-6 and 7-10.
“They want to be hands-on, they want to help around the shelter — they want to make an impact,” said Rachael Dashiell, the Animal Humane Society’s Community Programs Manager.
Kids Helping Out Through Project Purpose
It’s hard to contain the energy of a puppy — especially one who has spent some time cooped up in the shelter.
But, a visit from the Project Purpose kids can give a dog an outlet to release that energy.
Dashiell said the visits help get the dogs outside more often than they would under normal circumstances.
“We’re just seeing a longer length of stay with our larger dogs, and so it’s one more opportunity for those dogs to get out of their runs,” Dashiell said.
Families have to pay a fee to get their kids into the program, which occurs every other week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Once in, students help walk dogs, make enrichment toys, help with laundry and dishes, and other necessary chores around the shelter. They’re assisted by staff.
“We look around the shelter and see what is needed in that day,” Dashiell explained. “So, we try to get a variety of things.”
A sign at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley welcomes the young students to Project Purpose. Through the program, kids can get hands-on experience working at the shelter.
Helping Animals and Humans
Kids keep coming back, year after year. They all have different reasons for taking part — for some it’s a love of animals, and for others it’s a desire to give back.
In one student’s case, it’s about career goals.
“I personally want to be a veterinarian when I grow up, so any animal time is great,” said Eponine Switzer, a seventh grader and participant in the program.
She said one of her favorite parts of Project Purpose is dog walking.
She doesn’t have any pets at home, so getting to spend time with dogs directly makes a difference for her.
“It’s just fun to get outside with the dogs,” Switzer said.
But, as she knows, the program isn’t just about keeping the pets on a leash. Last week, kids also assisted with the laundry and dishes before getting to sit down to play with a shelter kitten.
“All the people are great, the animals are great,” Switzer said. “It just makes me feel happy to be able to help animals who don’t have a home right now.”
This is one of many educational programs at the AHS Golden Valley location. Another it offers is called Rescue Readers, where people read books to shelter animals.
There’s still room for students to join Project Purpose. There’s a fee, but it can be prorated if you join later in the program. More details about the program are on the Animal Humane Society website.
A Project Purpose student pauses mid-walk to pet one of the shelter dogs.
