About the Program:

Doggy Day Out is a community-based foster and enrichment program by Pets In Need, allowing volunteers to take adoptable dogs on field trips outside the shelter. The goal is to give the dogs a break from kennel life, provide them with enrichment and exercise, and promote adoptability by sharing their personalities with the community.

My Experience:

I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer with Pets In Need’s Doggy Day Out program twice, and each time has been incredibly rewarding.

The first time, I spent the day with Azul, a sweet husky who loved being outside just as much as I do. We started with a well-earned pup cup and then headed out for a long hike along the coast in Pacifica. Azul was curious, calm, and so happy to explore somewhere new. We ended the afternoon at Humble Sea Brewing, where I grabbed lunch and he got to rest in the sun after his big adventure. It was a simple day, but it meant a lot—to both of us.

The experience was so meaningful that I signed up again—this time to spend the day with Batman, an energetic German Shepherd mix with a huge personality. We stopped to pick out some toys and then headed to a park in Palo Alto, where we played fetch and relaxed in the shade. Watching him bounce around with excitement and then settle in next to me reminded me why this program is so special.

Getting to see these dogs’ personalities shine outside the shelter is what keeps me coming back. I’ll continue to volunteer with Pets In Need in the hopes of giving more dogs a much-needed break, a little joy, and a better shot at finding their perfect family.

If you’re curious about the program or looking for a way to give back, I can’t recommend it enough. Spending even one afternoon with a shelter dog is an unforgettable and genuinely fulfilling experience.