Volunteers are the "Heart" of Hearts of Gold. Our volunteers enable this program to continue to help individuals in our community. Volunteers contribute in many ways. Please see the WAYS TO HELP page for more information on how you can help. Here are some things that volunteers are doing now:

Fundraising & Public Awareness: our volunteers organize events to raise money or promote awareness and develop materials to present at these events

Volunteer Handlers: Our Volunteer Handlers take our dogs on field trips to the movies, restaraunts, to nursing homes and schools to help socialize them and bring joy to others. Volunteer handlers may also foster a dog-in-training once their home has been evaluated and approved by Hearts of Gold staff members. Volunteer Handlers must take courses and pass both a written and working examination before being certified in order to protect the safety and well-being of our canines-in-training.

Student Trainers: Our student trainers are WVU students who are taking or have taken and passed the Service Dog Training Course at West Virginia University. Student trainers assist in training the dogs beyond the basic obedience level and get the dogs ready for placement.

To Volunteer, fill out our "Volunteer Application" (find this on the FORMS page) and either mail it to us or email it to Mary Lynn McKenzie (staff link).  ** Note - all volunteers must sign both media consent and handler contract.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS:

Katie, Sharon

Adelaide, Mary Lynn, Chris,

WVU Teaching Assistants and all of the other wonderful volunteers!

WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!!!