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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Walking dogs of various sizes and strengths
• Looking after and playing with said 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 provided at the beginning of the shift
• Training includes 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: Unfortunately 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

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.

Population Served Homeless

Activity Type Caring for Animals

Requirements

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

Please wait...

Friday, January 30, 2026 From
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Registration is closed for this Volunteer Opportunity

Monday, February 2, 2026 From
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up. All volunteers must be registered in advance to attend.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 From
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up. All volunteers must be registered in advance to attend.

Add to Waiting list Currently full. Click the button above to be added to the waiting list and get notified if space becomes available.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 From
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up. All volunteers must be registered in advance to attend.

Thursday, February 5, 2026 From
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up. All…