Volunteering

I volunteer with the rescue in several ways — as a foster, a member of the social media team, and by helping at local events.

I began my journey with the rescue in 2023 when I welcomed my first foster, Dakota. Since then, I have fostered Louie, Knox, Prince, Nova, and Scooby, and along the way I officially became a foster fail when I adopted Lily.

I have always loved big dogs and wanted to know if a Great Dane was the right fit for my lifestyle. Fostering gave me the chance to learn, grow, and experience life with a giant breed while having incredible support from the rescue every step of the way. As a first-time large breed owner, I had plenty of questions, and the rescue community made all the difference. After my first foster, I was completely hooked.

One of my favorite parts of fostering is watching each dog’s personality unfold as they begin to feel safe and comfortable. Every dog is different, and those small milestone moments stay with you — from Louie’s first “trust fall” to Nova’s joyful grass back scratches. Seeing them relax, open up, and become themselves again is something truly special.

Volunteering has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. You do not need to do everything to make a difference. Even small actions matter. On the social media team, we see firsthand how sharing a post, leaving a comment, or helping spread the word allows us to reach more people and ultimately change more lives.

There is a place for everyone in rescue, and every effort helps move a dog one step closer to home.

Volunteer here: https://www.thegreatdanerescue.com/volunteer-application