2020 Volunteer Appreciation Week at Wags & Walks
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re featuring our very own Volunteer Manager, Ariana Howell! She shares how she found Wags, why she loves our volunteer community, and how you can get involved!
How long have you been with Wags & Walks?
I only started working full-time at Wags in December of 2019! I was part of the Wags volunteer family for a year before that though. I started in the winter of 2018 as a dog walker at Wags Club. I’d walk dogs Thursday and Friday mornings before going into work. After a few months, I got more involved by writing dog bios and even worked with the development team on grant writing.
What got you into rescue?
When I found Wags I was working as a copywriter at a big corporation. I enjoyed writing, but didn’t feel a sense of purpose about what I was doing. I was actually looking for career development events when I stumbled upon a Wags & Walks Volunteer Orientation on Eventbrite. I thought, “Why not?” I always had dogs growing up, and figured it wouldn’t be a bad way to spend some time. I left orientation feeling so excited and inspired. I’d never met a pitbull until I came to Wags & Walks, and that night turned me into a very vocal advocate! I signed up to start walking dogs immediately, and there was no turning back from there. Caring for the dogs at Wags Club was far and away the best part of my week. I remember feeling like the extra love and attention I could give mattered to them. It seems like such a simple thing to do, to show up and walk a few dogs for a couple of hours, but I always left thinking, “I helped make that dog’s day better! I helped that dog feel a little more love today.”
What do you like most about your job?
Wags volunteers are the best of my job! Our volunteer base is so diverse and everyone walks through our doors for a different reason, but at the end of the day what connects us is a love for rescue dogs. It’s really special to find a community of people who really care. Not everyone does. Each week I do an orientation, I meet a few dozen people who want to make the world a little better or make the life of a dog a little better. I love that, and it’s what makes me so excited to share who we are with our community.
Do you have a dog?
I think I am the only person at Wags who doesn’t have a dog of my own!! The adoptions team is always asking when I’ll be ready. I need to move into an apartment that allows dogs first. As soon as I do, I will become a Wags Alumni. (I promise!!) In the meantime, I get to spend time with Wags pups while I work!
What’s one thing you’d like to say to our volunteers?
We say it all the time, but it’s so true -- we simply could not run our rescue without the help and support of our volunteers and fosters! I hope everyone who volunteers their time and energy knows what a difference it makes! It really goes to show that every person matters. Whether you’re walking, transporting, helping at an event, fostering, etc., that contributes to our overall ability to save more lives. Our community is everything!!
If someone is interested in getting involved, how can they get started as a volunteer?
Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 crisis, we are unable to accept new volunteers at this time. When we reopen, you can find all volunteer orientation info on our Eventbrite! Once you attend our 45 minute orientation, you can sign up for any volunteer opportunities, including Wags Club, fostering, transportation, events, fundraising, photography, and more!
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Ariana!
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