Two groups that breed, raise and train assistance and service dogs, are partnering for a national campaign to raise awareness about the “urgent” need for volunteer puppy-raisers and funding for their programs.
Pacific Assistance Dogs (PADS), based in Burnaby, B.C., and National Service Dogs (NSD), based in Cambridge, Ont., noted in a joint press release, the demand for certified assistance dogs has increased from pre-pandemic levels. But the groups are facing a crunch in volunteer numbers.
Executive director of Burnaby-based PADS, Laura Watamanuk, noted in the release, the demand has increased by 30 per cent from their pre-pandemic levels. Which means, the group has to continually recruit and retain significant numbers of volunteers to help raise their puppies.
“During the pandemic there was an outpouring of support — financial and time — but in the time since, we’ve seen a lot of compassion fatigue, and we’re struggling to recruit and retain volunteers,” she remarked — a sentiment shared by the executive director and co-founder of the Ontario-based group.
Danielle Forbes of NSD said, “alongside the challenges with volunteer engagement, there has also been a decrease in overall donations to our programs. The current economic climate has made it difficult for many to give as they have in the past.”
Given that assistance dogs in the facilities spend the first 12 to 18 months in foster “puppy-raising” homes, the groups feel the pinch of having fewer volunteer puppy-raisers and are making an urgent plea for more volunteers.
The Burnaby PADS facility will need volunteers for 16 puppies currently in its facility. They are urging anyone who wishes to make a difference in the society to volunteer by visiting their website or make a donation.
It’s not just in Canada that the effects of volunteer shortage is being felt; executive director of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Chris Diefenthaler said, ADI is looking at this as a very serious issue for its member programs.
“We have received feedback from a large number of organizations globally that they are struggling to recruit and retain volunteers post-pandemic,” Diefenthaler said.
