April 2022 Volunteer Profile: Glen Dawkins

When Glen Dawkins began volunteer dog walking with the Winnipeg Humane Society in February of 2014, he saw it as something that would help him get ready for retirement.

More than eight years later, Glen still works at the Winnipeg Sun (but the volunteering has become more than what he initially thought).

“I grew up with dogs and this was something I always wanted to do,” he said. “One day I said ‘let’s just do it.’ It was going to be a post-retirement thing, but I figured I might as well get started. No better time than the present.

“The dogs are a change from the two cats we have at home, and dog walking gets me out in the fresh air and gives me a bit of exercise.”

Dawkins has helped out with the occasional special event, but most of his volunteer time at the WHS is spent walking dogs in the treed area surrounding the shelter on Hurst Way. He works one morning a week as an Orange dog walker/canine enrichment volunteer.

“Volunteers are assessed based on their skill level (Green – Easy, Orange – Medium, Purple – Challenging) and designated that colour,” explained volunteer colleague Cindy Pischke, “Glen has elected to remain at the orange coded level, but he often assists with purple coded dogs along with the shift supervisor. The K9 Wellness Program assessments look at both the handler’s physical and knowledge skills.”

He usually manages to take out with six dogs on his three-hour shift but has handled as many as eight one day. “Mine is always the morning shift so the dogs are happy to get out, which is good to see,” he said, laughing. “There’s not a lot of dawdling that goes on. They are very eager.”

Most of his walks have gone without a hitch, but there was this one day where a dog got out of hand, so to speak. “I had one dog where I made the mistake of trying to adjust his leash while we were out on the walk and he was ok, sitting very nicely,” he explained. “Suddenly he looked at me and I looked at him and we both realized the leash wasn’t on his collar. He took off and actually ran into the car wash next door, in the area where they detail the cars. Apparently, this wasn’t the first time a dog had done this because the car wash staff didn’t seem too surprised or concerned by a dog running through. I learned my lesson at that point.”

He says the dog walkers now carry a walkie talkie, which can be used to contact the office if there is any sort of problem with a dog. In the past, if a dog got loose the dog walker would have to run to the office and bang on a window or see someone to get help.

Another positive development was the creation of the Joyce Gauthier Centre. “If it’s rainy, cold or miserable out you can get them in there. There’s enough room in there that, if need be, the dogs can run about. Particularly if it’s a dog that might be at risk of getting loose. This allows those dogs to burn off all that energy without worrying about having to chase the dog into the car wash. “

The current shelter is a vast improvement from the previous Kent Road facility where he and his wife Joan adopted a rescue dog, Murphy. “This one is considerably better, in terms of facilities for staff and training and caring for the animals. It has all the necessary things for caring the dogs so they are able to be adopted,” he said.

Glen’s commitment to caring for the dogs is recognized by fellow volunteers and staff alike. “It has been a pleasure volunteering with Glen over the years at the Winnipeg Humane Society on the K9 Wellness Team,” Pischke said. “He quietly goes about his responsibilities working with the dogs and is committed to his position. Glen never hesitates to lend a helping hand with dogs who require extra attention or need specific interactions to fill their emotional cup. It is this quality that makes a big difference in a dog’s life while at the shelter.

“Glen is dedicated, pleasant to work with, and is knowledgeable in dog behaviour. It is not uncommon to hear him calmly telling unruly dogs how ‘adorable they are.’ I’m certain they embrace it.” Glen said the staff and other volunteers are great, always willing to lend a hand or answer a question.

He had spent some time volunteering two days a week, but the responsibilities of a career and a family life created a bit of a time crunch. For now, one day a week is sufficient, “But we’ll see once I officially retire,” he laughed. “I might become the next Cindy Pischke, who’s there three times a week.”

Written by: Brian Kozak, Volunteer MVP Writer
Photo by: Jim Harvey, Volunteer MVP Photographer