Sometimes, I learn about teamwork and collaboration in the least likely places. In the two years that I’ve been a volunteer dog walker at the Oregon Humane Society, I’ve walked with four different teams and had varying experiences on each.
The dog walking schedule is broken down into morning and evening “teams” that work on getting all the dogs out for a break during the day. OHS asks volunteers to commit to walking on a regular schedule so they can count on who will come and know the dogs will get a little exercise. On some past teams, I’ve felt like just another walker in the mix, no real sense of team, not knowing the names of other volunteers; we all just show up regularly and walk dogs. From time to time, not enough people show up and it’s 2 humans v. 90 dogs for four hours. Heartbreaking and exhausting!
Everything changed when I moved to the Sunday evening team. For the last year, I’ve been a co-anchor with the “Sunday Mutt Strut” as we call ourselves. Patti, the real ringleader and co-anchor of the team, even had a banner printed up for us to hang on the kennels when the strut is in effect. I’ve learned so much about being gracious, patient, and positive from Patti, and I know that the team really thrives under her consistent leadership. With the Mutt Strut, everyone knows each other, we communicate and work together, and we have fun! I know I can count on people to know what to do, to ask questions if they need help, to look out for each other, to be friendly, and to get all the dogs walked and put to bed before the kennels close.
It’s been so amazing to be part of such a welcoming, collaborative, fun, committed group all year. Walking with the Mutt Strut means that even on those dismal winter days when it’s dark at 4pm, raining, and cold, I still look forward to walking dogs with my team. We’ve fostered a real sense of community amongst our team and with the staff at OHS. I’m really proud of the group we’ve built, some of whom were new volunteers I mentored who’ve since become team regulars. I feel that co-anchoring has helped me become a better leader, mentor, and teammate.
It breaks my heart that I’ve had to change my schedule and can’t walk dogs on Sundays for the spring and summer. I hope I can bring everything I’ve learned and experienced to my next team and help them feel the love. If every team could be like the Sunday Mutt Strut all the volunteers and dogs would be so happy! So now it’s my mission to make that happen, one team at a time.
But no matter what team I’m walking with, there will always be a place in my heart reserved for the Sunday Mutt Strut!
We’ll definitely miss you Stacy! You were a lot of fun and a great help when I needed some answers regarding the kennels etc. Hope you get to join us again in the fall or at least next year’s volunteer’s party if it’s at the same place.
Rina
Stacy,
You said such nice things about us! We really do have a great team.
I can’t believe you’re leaving us – you will truly be missed.
Stacy, you are so kind and thoughtful and it was quite an honor to work with you and get to know you. I know you’ll make a huge difference on the next team and Share the Love with them. Thank you for ALL the hard work you put in this past year – I am so blessed to know you. I hope you have an awesome fun summer and come back to us in the Fall. You’ll ALWAYS be a Mutt Strutter!