Many people love animals and have a desire to work with them in some capacity, either professionally or as volunteers. Young people can have a hard time fulfilling this dream, however, as most animal welfare organizations require volunteers to be at least 18 years old.
Being a teenager is tough — they’re too old to be kids and too young to be adults. But teens often have established interests and beliefs and feel a moral obligation to help dogs, cats, and other creatures. Fortunately for today’s animal-loving adolescents living in the Bay Area, there is Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s (ARF) All-Stars® program.
This unique program, specifically geared for pre-teens and teenagers in grades 6-12, teaches strong values, compassion for others, and practical animal skills. Upon completion of ARF All-Stars®, teen volunteers are fluent in cat and dog body language, know how to provide basic animal care, and understand the importance of spaying and neutering pets to help control over-population.
Teens spend 15 hours in class as they progress through three levels of “basic training”: cat education, dog education, and the ins and outs of volunteering. In addition, they attend six hours of hands-on socialization workshops where they learn to properly interact with shelter animals under staff supervision.
Humane education is the basis of training for volunteers wishing to participate in the ARF All-Stars® program. Each level of class brings an additional special focus, as well. For example, during their dog classes, teen volunteers attend a Pit Bull segment to learn about the cruelty and injustices suffered by this often misunderstood breed.
Teen volunteers also learn positive reinforcement techniques and basic behavior modification methods commonly used in rehabilitation. This is a stepping stone to more advanced training classes at ARF, which are offered to teens upon completion of the All-Stars® program. Other specialized ARF workshops are also available, such as dog bathing or dog feeding, which provide teens with practical experience in animal care.
As part of the program, teen volunteers are required to assist with an ARF birthday party or Learning Center tour. These two popular People Connect programs are intended to foster a strong relationship between the animals in the ARF shelter and the greater community. Both programs raise much-needed funds for the shelter animals while educating the community on animal-related issues. ARF’s teen-aged volunteers are crucial to the success of these important programs.
Some ARF All-Stars® continue on to become Camp ARF counselors or counselors-in-training. This is a fantastic summer opportunity which allows teens to earn money doing something they love while sharing their experiences with a new generation of teen ARF volunteers. Camp ARF is a two-week program for children, which includes guest speakers, games, and crafts. Alongside ARF staff, Camp ARF counselors assist in creating and delivering these programs. Many ARF All-Stars® later pursue careers in science or the animal welfare industry, and Camp ARF provides them with leadership experience they can include on college applications.
Our teen volunteers are invaluable. In addition to providing shelter animals with interaction, training, baths, food, and exercise, they keep the facility looking clean and professional. However, ARF is not the only beneficiary of this exchange. Teenagers often feel isolated by shyness, insecurity, television, computers, etc. Outside of school, they may not have a social outlet which fosters their personal development. Working with animals alongside other teens and adults is a great way for these young people to learn and grow through service. It’s a win for the animals, the teens, and the community!
To learn more about ARF All-Stars®, please visit www.arf.net/programs/all_stars.html.
Kristen Breyer is a People Connect Specialist at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek and may be reached at allstarvolunteer@arf.net. For additional information about ARF’s programs and services, please visit www.arf.net.
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