The staff of Oakland Animal Hospital is deeply committed to improving the well-being of not just their clients, but to the lives of the animals within the community. That commitment is demonstrated by our support for local shelters, our Food for Fido Program and our latest outreach program, PetOx which provides oxygen masks for dogs and cats to emergency responders in the community. You can learn more about our community outreach initiatives by clicking here.

National Volunteer Week is April 23-29, and, if you haven’t already, this year you can get your beloved pet involved in the do-gooding, too. Here are a few ways to give back with your pet.

Animal-assisted therapy

Science has shown that animals have a positive impact on human health, improving everything from mood to heart health to the immune system. Now, nonprofits everywhere are giving pet owners and their animals the opportunity to give back to their communities by helping those in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and other locations.

Whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit, pig, horse, bird, or some other furry or feathered friend with the right disposition, chances are good that you’ll be able to help. After special training and a health exam, you are your pet could be helping some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Canine reading program

Does your pup like kids? If so, he may be a good candidate for a canine reading program. Designed to help children struggling to learn to read, these programs provide attentive, nonjudgmental listeners (dogs like yours) for children to real aloud to, which can help boost self-esteem along with reading levels.

Donate blood

If you’ve ever donated blood, you know it’s a relatively quick and painless way to give back. And, just like humans, animals often need blood during surgeries and emergency situations when they’ve lost too much of their own. Contact us to be sure your pet is healthy enough to donate blood.

Other ways you can volunteer with your pet include training for search-and-rescue missions, participating in charity walks or runs, and providing a foster home for animals in need.

Thank you for joining Oakland Animal Hospital in giving back to our amazing community.