We offer many types of volunteer opportunities for people interested in working with people with disabilities, for working with animals (animal assisted interventions—therapy and education), and for working in integrated programs.
Dogwood works closely with Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW), so if you volunteer with Dogwood, chances are good that you will also volunteer with ADW as we share physical space and some programs.
Dogwood volunteers are not casual observers; rather, they are active participants who gain skills and knowledge by working directly with clients. Many of our volunteers teach classes or oversee integrated activities. Our volunteers become part of our client’s lives, and engage in their healthcare or extracurricular activities, so we require a minimum of a two-month commitment (see schedule below), and at least 4 hours per week. Volunteers can expect to spend at least 65% of their time engaging with clients, and the remainder of their time helping with projects, office work, running errands, and helping us with day-to-day needs. Many of our volunteers have started their journey into more professional roles in healthcare and social service sectors, including a lot of potential occupational therapists!
Youth/Peer Mentors
Dogwood offers opportunities for youth volunteers, too! We understand that individuals, who volunteer in the community as youth, will also volunteer later in life. Youth volunteers should be able to self-direct, work and play well with others, and be fairly independent in case the situation arises when they are not in a session and left on their own. Youth volunteers do not typically assist with the ADW after-school programs, or run errands. Many youth volunteers can also get school credit for their community service.
Successful Dogwood (and ADW) volunteers posses:
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Ability to be independent, self-directed, and flexible with duties
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Desire to work with people with disabilities and within integrated programs
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Comfortable working with animals (hedgehogs, fish and dogs)
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Ability to commit for at least two months (see schedule below), minimum of 4 hours a week on a regular schedule
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Ability to provide a background check (see volunteer application for details)
Dogwood's schedule changes every few months. Typically, our day starts around 10:00 a.m. and may end as late as 8:00 p.m. To gain the best experience, our volunteers are scheduled approximately one month prior to the start of each new volunteer period. The options for volunteering are as follows:
January – April
APS spring break is a full week of integrated classes and activities!
May is a flexible schedule
June – July is two full months of integrated classes and activities!
August is a flexible schedule
September – Mid December
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us!
Please click HERE to fill out the forms for our volunteer packet.
Fax the completed forms to 866-904-9976
Or mail to:
Dogwood Therapy Services - Volunteer Coordinator
7818 Pan American Freeway NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
