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. At the end of the eight weeks, 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.

Do Middle-Schoolers Need Service Learning Hours?

Many middle schools now have a Service Learning Hours requirement. 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.

Helping Hounds is full for the 2018/2019 school year. The waiting list is also full. Please return here in summer 2019 for details about registering for the 2019/2020 school year.

Questions? Please email cneff@hsbroward.com.