Volunteer opportunities for 14yr old DD - DoE scheme

[Summersoon]

Hello! I am a daily lurker on this board and infrequent poster on some others. This is my first-ever plea for advice on MN though!

My 14yr old DD would like to do the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award this year. She has always loved animals and until a couple of years wanted to be a vet. (She decided that being a vet wasn't going to be for her as it sometimes involves PTS and she doesn't think she could bring herself to PTS an animal.) We do not have a dog as DH and I work full-time and I travel a fair bit but DD has always loved dogs and they seem to like her.

She would therefore like to volunteer at an animal shelter or similar organisation for 3-6 months+ but all the ones she has looked at require a minimum age of 16.

We are in North London and I wonder whether any of you know of an animal organisation that would accept a very eager and kind 14yr volunteer?

Thanks for reading!

Sorry, not near you, but keep phoning around. DD who is 14 is volunteering at a wild bird sanctuary and hospital - not quite as cuddly, but similar enough. It was the only one that took 14 year olds and therefore has loads of teenagers there, (clever them).

Can I just say that from the rescue perspective (and wearing other voluntary hats) it is so much better if the approach comes from the student themselves rather than their mum? I appreciate and understand completely you wanting to help her but it will be greatly in her favour if the contact comes from her whether that is a phone call or email. Otherwise the impression can be given of a helicopter parent and a teenager who isn't actually all that bothered. I realise her time is limited so perhaps you can help by assisting with the internet search and helping to draft an introductory email etc.

Have you considered approaching a greyhound racing stadium? Harlow might be a possible, or there's Romford or Wimbledon in the london area. She could get an inside look at greyhound racing.

If she does manage to find a charity or rescue to work with, she should be prepared to:- get up early, arrive on time, be prepared for a lot of shit (literally)as that is what she will be shovelling/cleaning, washing dogs bowls, bedding, and sometimes seeing quite upsetting sights. Some dogs that are brought into rescue are in a pretty bad way and although it's hugely rewarding, seeing things like a dog that's severely underweight, got skin complaints etc can be distressing at first. Much of the work will be cold, wet, and repetitive and physically quite hard. If she is not prepared for this, and willing then maybe a rethink? How is she with domestic tasks in the house? Also, she will almost certainly fall in love with at least one dog and you will have to be prepared for "that" conversation about ownership.

She could also approach any dog training clubs in the area who might need voluntary assistance, and will often run junior classes so will have volunteers who are CRB checked etc. Also consider an intern type placement at one of the big dog charities - several have their HQ in central London ?

Could you pm me whereabouts you are in north London?

Thank you for all your messages.

Scuttle - we are at the very beginning of the process. She has done some internet research herself but is running up against statements that say explicitly "due to insurance concerns no under 16s". I posted on here on her behalf because this is my MN account. But I will show her your post so that she can see what it might involve.
FWIW, she has been on a one-week summer camp at a US shelter a couple of years ago, though I appreciate that this is not quite the same thing.
As a matter of fact I can understand the reluctance of dog shelters to take on younger teens as some dogs might be too difficult for them to handle. If we hit our heads against walls, I may suggest to her that she might like to see whether there is a small animal shelter that would allow her to help. We do have a guinea pig so plenty of experience there. Then again, I might end up falling in love with one of those gps and someone would have to have "that" conversation with me !

Obviously I will PM you, thanks!