One year on: How greyhound volunteering stole my heart
How volunteering with greyhounds became a passion in just one year.
It’s my first anniversary volunteering with Home Run Hounds, something that I honestly never expected would have such a huge impact on my life, writes Katie Sambrook.
This time last year, after returning to work following maternity leave, I realised I needed a hobby that would get me out of the house, help me exercise more and allow me to switch off from the stresses of everyday life. As a teacher, a mum and someone trying to keep on top of running a busy household, life can feel pretty full on at times, and I knew I needed an outlet that was just for me.
I first came across an appeal for volunteers on Facebook and almost applied on impulse. I have always loved animals and had always wanted to work with them in some way, so something about it immediately stood out to me.
At the time, I thought it would simply be a good way to get some fresh air, get my steps in and fuss some dogs. We already have 10 cats at home, so realistically owning a dog of our own just wouldn’t work for us, which made volunteering the perfect solution. It has allowed me to spend time around dogs while still helping the charity, but it has also been lovely for my children too. They have grown up around cats and absolutely adore them, but through Home Run Hounds they’ve also had the chance to experience being around dogs and have completely fallen in love with greyhounds as well.
From the very beginning, spending time with the greyhounds became a real form of stress relief for me. There is something incredibly calming about being out walking with the dogs and being able to completely clear your mind for an hour or two. Volunteering quickly became something I genuinely looked forward to each week and it gave me the chance to completely switch off from work pressures and the general busyness of life.
Over the last year I’ve thrown myself into as much as I possibly can. I’ve attended fundraising and awareness events, including helping represent Home Run Hounds at Crufts in February, which was an amazing experience and a fantastic opportunity to talk to people about the breed. I also recently completed The Great Sniffari Conqueror Challenge alongside one of my favourite hounds, Dream, something I probably never would have imagined myself doing a year ago. Through volunteering I’ve discovered new interests, learnt new skills and gained confidence in ways I didn’t expect.
One of the best parts of volunteering has been the people. I’ve met such a supportive and welcoming group of volunteers and made some really lovely friendships along the way. Everyone shares the same passion for helping the dogs and there is such a sense of teamwork and community around the charity. And then, of course, there are the greyhounds themselves.
Before volunteering, I never realised just how gentle, affectionate and adaptable they are. From the confident, cheeky characters to the sensitive souls who slowly learn to trust people and enjoy life outside kennels. Watching those changes happen and seeing them discover toys, sofas, family life and simple everyday experiences for the first time is genuinely amazing, and knowing you have played even a small part in that process is incredibly rewarding.
Looking back now, I can honestly say volunteering has changed my life for the better. I’ve lost some baby weight, improved my fitness and noticed a huge improvement in my mental health and overall wellbeing. Most importantly though, I feel proud knowing that I’m helping a charity that does so much for these amazing dogs. What started as a way to fill some spare time has become one of the most rewarding parts of my life, and I honestly can’t imagine not being part of Home Run Hounds now.