Dog Loving College Student Crowdsources Ideas On How To Spend Time With Animals Without Owning One

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kalila courban
Jun 25, 2023 1:00 PM EDT

Hey pals. Any of you doggo lovers but for whatever reason are not able to own a dog personally? You might have something in common with the original poster of this Reddit post. OP took to Reddit to ask for advice on how to spend time with dogs without owning one, because OP is about to head off to college and unfortunately their doggos can not come with them. The responses poured in, and the dog-loving community came to the rescue with some fantastic ideas.

One popular suggestion was to volunteer at a local shelter. Not only would you get to spend time with dogs, but you would also make a huge difference in their lives. Shelters always need more help, so why not lend a hand and spread some love? Another creative idea came from a student who shared their experience of "therapy dog Thursday" at their college. Imagine walking into a pack of therapy dogs after a night class—it's pure magic! From volunteering to attending dog-friendly events, there are plenty of pawsome ways to get your dog fix without owning one. Keep the doggy love alive!

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  • 01
    Font - Posted by u/Intelligent_Flame 6 days ago Ways to be around dogs without owning one?
    via u/Intelligent_Flame
  • 02
    Font - I adore dogs and really all animals, have for my entire life. My family has two little dogs who I live to death, and we've had a dog for half of my life, literally. But alas I am leaving and going to college six hours away soon and I will be without my little four legged companions. What are some ways I can still be around dogs without owning one? Or any tips on how to sneak a dog into a college dorm room without getting caught (I'm just kidding)
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  • 03
    Font - CotonDog 6 days ago The simplest way to be around dogs is merely to take walks in parks and other places where people like to walk their dogs. We take our two dogs to a river walk, a lake walking trail, the botanical gardens, the school (college) walking trails and certain packed outdoor shopping areas so they can co-mingle with other people and many, many different types of dogs. People are almost always happy to share their dog(s) and to give a little story about them.
    via CotonDog
  • 04
    Font - An UnrulyLlama. 6 days ago I mean, we used to sneak party balls into our dorms, and dogs are cleaner than most college boys so.... Volunteer at a shelter or get involved with a rescue. There are tons of dogs waiting for homes that would love to chill or run around with you. At my school, they had therapy dog Thursday. Like, this huge gothic building, the ground floor would have a bunch of therapy dogs walking around. You could literally leave a night class and walk into a pack of dogs. It
    via UnrulyLlama
  • 05
    Font - Progress Background 95 6 days ago Volunteer at your local shelter, those animals need SO much more than they're getting at the shelters. You could make a HUGE difference in so many animals lives! Please consider that option
    via ProgressBackground 95
  • 06
    Font - Gimme_Dat_Granola · 6 days ago · edited 6 days ago Walk dogs! That way you'll earn some extra cash, get some exercise, and get to play with doggos all at the same time. I walked dogs for Wag in a big city and would occasionally get to dog sit for a few days, too. Work whenever you want, no minimum hours. Open the app on your phone, accept a 20 or 60 minute walk 0.5 miles away with Toby the Golden Retriever, then go home and sleep after. Lol loved it.
    via Gimme_Dat_Granola
  • 07
    Font - forponderings - 6 days ago paw flair Volunteer for your local shelter! This is what I did all of grad school. Some shelters also has a “dog for a day" program where you can take a shelter dog for a daylong outing. Like this program here. It's a good alternative to fostering since I assume that's not possible for you.
    via forponderings
  • 08
    Font - Nathan51503 - 6 days ago Volunteer at a rescue or shelter Offer to walk peoples dogs (elderly people) rarely have the energy and I walk my neighbors basset for them regularly (along with my own) Dog park but that's a little weird unless you strike up a conversations with the dog(s) owner
    via Nathan51503
  • 09
    Font - sitOnapotatopanOtis - 6 days ago I too struggled with the lack of dog when I was living in the dorms. I found a dog friendly bar in my area and was able to get ample pets in while also meeting new people. Generally if you say "I miss my dog at home" you'll get a smile and it's a good conversation starter. I also use this life hack when traveling lol good way to get recommendations from locals
    via sitOnapotatopanOtis
  • 10
    Font - KimberBr 6 days ago 1 doggo and 3 crazy kittens Be a pet sitter!
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  • 11
    Human body - Lillith Blackheart918 6 days ago My mom works at a place that trains and breeds service dogs, and they take volunteers. I think any animal-related non-profit does.
    via LillithBlackheart918
  • 12
    Font - shortnsweet33 - 6 days ago I volunteered when I was in college and highly recommend it! The pound in the county over from my college was always looking for volunteers to do dog walking to get the dogs out of the shelter for a bit, and they were on quite a bit of land and had walking trails. I'd go volunteer with friends sometimes on the weekends. I also volunteered with a local greyhound rescue in the area and helped out at adoption events. Depending on the size of your college, you might
    via shortnsweet33
  • 13
    Font - Tall_Ad_7681. 6 days ago Dog sitting? Might even be able to do your laundry while hanging w pups.
    via Tall_Ad_7681
  • 14
    Font - HamsterAgreeable2748 · 6 days ago There are lots of dog related jobs if you are looking for employment, though if it's your first time at college I'd wait a semester to get a job if you can afford it. Some jobs included vet assistant, dog bather/grooming assistant, dog walker, pet sitter, kennel/daycare worker, shelter employee, pet store employee etc. Also if you have any friends that live outside of the dorms and have dogs ask if you can visit, my house was the designated dog lover hous
    via HamsterAgreeable2748

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