Volunteering at Partner Dogs with Nancy and the golden retrievers has been an incredibly heartwarming and meaningful experience. Working with these amazing service dogs in training has shown me just how intelligent, gentle, and impactful they can be. Under Nancy’s guidance, I’ve learned so much —not just about dog training, but also about the deep bond between humans and animals. Nancy is one of the most compassionate, generous, and patient people I’ve ever met. She leads with both kindness and purpose, and the trust she’s placed in me from the beginning has meant the world. Her encouragement and belief in my abilities gave me the confidence to take on real responsibility and grow through every step of the process. One of the most meaningful parts of this work has been visiting schools and watching the dogs and wonderful volunteers provide therapy and emotional support to students. The calm, joyful energy these dogs bring into a classroom is incredible. They connect with kids in a way that words sometimes can’t. Helping prepare them for that kind of work and being part of those visits has been so fulfilling. Knowing that Nancy trusted me to be a part of something so important made the experience even more meaningful. She creates a space where both people and dogs thrive, and I feel fortunate to be part of the mission she and her team have built.
Grace
Grade 12 Student Volunteer (York Region)