ANIMALS: Dog Walking​/Sitting at O-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 volunteers with 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 you remain on or near the site during this time. This opportunity takes place at Dreams for Change’s safe sleeping site in O‑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. If pets are not present on-site, Dreams for Change invites volunteers to engage with the participants of the program by playing games or sitting down and having a chat.

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

• 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

• On-site training provided at the beginning of the shift
• Training includes guidance on handling dogs, communicating with staff, and respecting client privacy

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

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

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

All emails will be sent from

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

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 their team will not go back and modify them. The Hands On Connect App can be downloaded from the Apple Store and Google Play.

If you do not download the app and sign in with the on‑site Hands on San Diego QR code, your hours will not count. (The QR Code and Dreams for Change Sign in kiosk are not the same. You must do both.)

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.

Homeless

Caring for Animals

Age Minimum (with Adult): 18+ , Minimum Age: 18+

• Monday, January 26, 2026 From 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
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