ANIMALS: Dog Walking​/Sitting at B-Lot Safe Sleep Site

Dreams for Change is launching a special volunteer opportunity focused on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness who have pets. Many of these pets provide companionship, unconditional love, and a sense of responsibility for their owners. This volunteering session allows people to meet with their case managers, take showers, and clean their living spaces while volunteers walk or spend time with their dogs.

Upon arrival, volunteers will check in with the case managers, who will provide a list of pets on-site and their owners who have expressed interest in having their pets walked. Each walk can last up to 20 minutes, and Dreams for Change asks that volunteers remain on or near the site during this time. This opportunity takes place at Dreams for Change’s safe sleeping site in B‑Lot, where the organization offers various services to individuals experiencing homelessness in San Diego.

On‑site amenities include tents, restrooms, handwashing stations, charging stations, meals, and case‑management services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Walking dogs of various sizes and strengths
• Looking after and playing with the dogs

Skills &

Qualifications:

• Comfortable handling and walking dogs of varying sizes
• Patient, compassionate, and respectful when engaging with vulnerable individuals
• Ability to follow safety and site policies
• Must pass a Megan’s Law screening

Training Provided:

• On‑site training at the beginning of the shift
• Guidance on handling dogs, communicating with staff, and respecting client privacy

Attire: Comfortable clothing and good walking shoes. This opportunity takes place outdoors with plenty of shade.

Physical Requirements: This opportunity is not able to make accommodations for individuals with physical limitations. The space where this project takes place is wheelchair accessible.

Photos: Dreams for Change has a no‑photo policy in place.

Communication: All emails will be sent from

Note: Clearing a Megan’s Law California Sex Offender search before your first shift is required to participate in this opportunity.

To participate, you must download the Hands On Connect app to your smart device to electronically sign the waiver and check in at this volunteer opportunity. If you do not sign in using the app, your service hours will not be verified and the team will not be able to modify them. The Hands On Connect App can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play.

You must also scan the on‑site Hands on San Diego QR code; signing in with the app alone will not count your hours.

The mission of Dreams for Change remains its guiding beacon: to respond to the needs of communities by creating innovative and cost‑effective programs to empower and stabilize the lives of families and individuals.

Population Served:
Homeless

Activity Type:
Caring for Animals

Requirements:
Age Minimum (with Adult) 18+;
Minimum Age 18+.

Registration is closed for this Volunteer Opportunity.

Please respond to the following questions in order to signup for this opportunity. Your donation means more volunteers making an impact on San Diego nonprofits, schools, and parks.