Helping Hounds Service Learning Program for Middle-Schoolers

Middle school students aged 11 through 13 have an opportunity to earn Service Learning Hours while learning about and helping animals at the Humane Society of Broward County through the Helping Hounds program. During each weekly meeting, students will roll up their sleeves and do different jobs in the shelter to help meet the needs of the shelter animals, including cleaning cages, feeding animals, socializing animals, making adoption kits, bathing dogs, making enrichment items for the animals, etc. Students will also have a few one-page homework assignments, and participate in a fundraising project to benefit the animals.

Upon completion of the program, students will have earned 24 Service Learning Hours and will receive a letter to document their volunteer service as well as a certificate of completion. Students must attend seven out of the eight meetings in order to complete the program. The first meeting is mandatory! Due to the popularity of the program, students may only participate in one eight week session of Helping Hounds. The cost to join the program is $35 which includes a club t-shirt.

Do Middle-Schoolers Need Service Learning Hours?

Some middle schools require Service Learning Hours. However, even if a student’s school does not require them, students are welcome to apply to the Helping Hounds program if they simply want to join for personal growth, for later use on college applications, to put on a resume when they reach working age, etc. Please note that Broward Schools requires that students begin earning their mandatory high school Service Learning Hours after they are promoted to the ninth grade. Hours earned in the Helping Hounds program may not count toward the mandatory requirement. It is up to the student/parent to check with their school’s Service Learning Coordinator to find out what is required of the student.

Interested?

HELPING HOUNDS IS CURRENTLY FULL. Sessions will resume again in the 2017-18 School year. The three sessions planned are:

All meetings are 5pm-6:45pm. Students may sign up for ONE 8-week session. Remember, attendance is mandatory at all meetings and punctuality is expected, so please check your calendar before signing up! Please return here to register on August 28, 2017.