Home > Organizations > Pet and Animal Advocacy Care Team (PAACT) > Core Volunteer Dog Walker
Populations Served
- Adults
- Indigenous
- Low-Income
- Seniors
- Young Adults
Competencies/Skills
- Communication
- Community Engagement/Advocacy
- Empathy
- Flexibility
- Teamwork
Opportunity last updated: March 2nd
Core Volunteer Dog Walker
Flexible Hours- Suitable for Seniors
We are seeking a dedicated, confident, and compassionate Core Volunteer to support our Tail End Journey Energy Support Program — a prevention-focused initiative designed to help families keep their dogs safely at home.
This role exists because many rehoming situations do not stem from lack of love, but from temporary overwhelm. Illness, burnout, work changes, or life transitions can make it difficult for guardians to meet a dog’s exercise needs. When excess energy leads to behavioural stress, families may feel rehoming is their only option.
Energy Support Volunteers step in during these transitional periods to provide structured, short-term exercise support that helps stabilize the home and preserve the human-animal bond.
This is not a dog-walking service. It is a time-limited prevention intervention.
Volunteer Duties
Core Duties:
- Provide scheduled exercise sessions (typically 2–3 walks per week, 30–60 minutes each).
- Use humane, reinforcement-based handling practices only.
- Monitor the dog’s behaviour, energy level, and stress indicators.
- Document each session (date, duration, behavioural observations, concerns).
- Report any safety concerns, behavioural changes, or environmental risks promptly.
- Arrive on time and adhere to agreed-upon schedule.
- Follow all PAACT safety, handling, and boundary protocols.
- Maintain professional, respectful communication with guardians.
- Participate in midpoint (Week 4) and final case review discussions.
- Follow check-in/check-out safety procedures.
Documentation & Communication Duties
- Maintain accurate walk logs.
- Update executive team, as required.
- Flag urgent matters immediately through designated internal channels.
- Respect confidentiality and case boundaries at all times.
Boundaries of the Role
Energy Support Volunteers do not:
- Provide advanced behavioural training or modification.
- Offer medical advice.
- Use aversive tools or punishment-based methods.
- Take dogs to off-leash areas unless explicitly approved.
- Extend services beyond the agreed timeframe without leadership approval.
- Make independent rehoming or placement decisions.
Age Requirements
18 years old or older
Other Requirements
Transportation & Insurance
- Valid driver’s license
- Reliable personal transportation
- Valid vehicle insurance
Schedule
- Approximately 2–3 hours per week per active case.
- Typically 2–3 scheduled walks per week (30–60 minutes per session).
- Short-term commitment of 4–8 weeks per case.
- Participation in brief midpoint and final case reviews.
Scheduling Structure
- Walk days and times are coordinated collaboratively between the volunteer, guardian, and PAACT leadership.
- Consistency is prioritized to support behavioural stability.
- Volunteers must communicate promptly if scheduling adjustments are required.
- Coverage must remain within the City of Lethbridge.
Availability Expectations
- Reliable weekly availability during the assigned case period.
- Ability to commit to the full short-term duration whenever possible.
- Flexibility for minor schedule adjustments due to weather or safety considerations.
This role is structured and time-limited. It is not an open-ended or ongoing service. Clear start and end dates are established at the beginning of each case to support sustainability and prevent volunteer burnout.
Time Commitment
Continuing commitment
Type of Opportunity
Animal Care,Special Skills or Certification,Transportation
Application Type
Basic
Other Opportunities with Pet and Animal Advocacy Care Team (PAACT)
We are seeking Core Volunteers who are committed, kind-hearted, and aligned with our belief that both pets and families deserve understanding, respect, and accessible care. This opportunity is ideal for individuals seeking consistent involvement, deeper engagement, and long-term impact.
Support Provided: Clear role expectations, mentorship, collaborative teamwork, and ongoing communication.
If you are seeking a role where your time, care, and commitment truly matter, we invite you to consider joining PAACT as a Core Volunteer.
Core Volunteers are the backbone of PAACT’s ongoing programs and services. This role goes beyond occasional involvement and offers the opportunity to contribute consistently to meaningful work that helps keep pets safe, supported, and at home with the families who love them—often during times of crisis, transition, or uncertainty.
PAACT is a rapidly growing grassroots nonprofit serving communities across Southern Alberta. Our work is grounded in compassion, dignity, and proactive support—strengthening the bond between pets and their people through education, advocacy, and early intervention.
We recognize that each volunteer brings unique strengths, perspectives, and skills. Roles are thoughtfully aligned to individual capacities and interests to ensure involvement is both sustainable and impactful. We believe volunteers should feel valued, supported, and empowered—not overwhelmed. Together, we create meaningful, lasting imPAACT for pets, their people, and the broader community.
Thanks for your interest in this volunteer position!
We'll just need a bit of information so we can pass your application along to Pet and Animal Advocacy Care Team (PAACT).
Volunteers can sign up for up to 3 continuing commitment opportunities for immediate referrals. If you signed up for more than 3, a Volunteer Lethbridge staff member will connect with you before making new referrals.