Greenhill hosts open house for dog enrichment volunteers

EUGENE, Ore. — Greenhill Humane Society is hosting a Dog Enrichment Program Open House on Sunday, September 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for those interested in learning more about volunteering with the shelter dogs. This is a free event that is open to all.

“We’ve seen an increase in dogs coming to the shelter this year and are in need of more animal lovers to join our volunteer team,” said Sarah Bouzad, Greenhill’s Community Engagement & Events Manager. “Maybe you love dogs but are unable to add one to your family at the moment, or you are looking for a rewarding experience to help vulnerable animals. This open house is a great event to learn more about what it is like to become a dog enrichment volunteer. Greenhill provides all the training and materials needed for volunteers, plus there is an endless supply of cute dogs!”

During the Dog Enrichment Program Open House, guests will receive a tour of Greenhill’s canine housing, see a training demo from the shelter's dog behaviorist, have an opportunity to join current volunteers on dog walks around the property, and learn more about volunteering.

Dog Enrichment Volunteer activities include teaching manners and tricks to the dogs, ensuring they receive daily exercise with walks around the 20-acre property, taking them offsite for a field trip or sleepover, helping with the daily care of the dogs, and ensuring they are safe, comfortable and relaxed.

Greenhill volunteer positions are available every day. Volunteers 12 to 15 years of age can join the team with a parent or guardian, ages 16 and over are welcome to come out on their own. Learn more about Greenhill's volunteer program here.

In addition to the help volunteers provide the shelter, Greenhill Humane Society is also announcing the receipt of a $15,000 grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love in support of their work for animals in Lane County. This investment supports the animals needing extra enrichment and behavior modification, including the dogs that Dog Enrichment Program volunteers work with.

“Our investment in Greenhill Humane Society is part of more than $15M in investments recently announced by Petco Love to power local organizations across the country as part of our commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” said Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love. “Our local investments are only part of our strategy to empower animal lovers to drive lifesaving change right alongside us. We launched Petco Love Lost, a national lost and found database that uses patented image-recognition technology to simplify the search for lost pets.”