Last year, my 40 year old son, who has mild developmental challenges, saw an ad in the newspaper for people to volunteer to walk the dogs at our local SPCA. He and his wonderful Home Support Worker both agreed to give up one of their 2 days of allotted time together, in order to help the dogs.
Upon their arrival, they were handed a strict schedule of times when they had to be there. When they approached the co-ordinator to explain that they were only available at certain times and days, they were curtly told to call her back and she would see if they could be fitted into her schedule.
On the day they were finally able to agree upon, they were greeted by a very stand-offish staff.(Mark's comment was: "they acted like mean ladies".)
Their second visit was greeted with the same cold and unkindly attitude from everyone they encountered in the office. Saddened by the thought of the dogs they would leave behind, both Mark and his friend decided that they could better spend their time where it may appear that they were at least welcome.
Mark and his caregiver have now been happily working together at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre for over 2 years. They are valued volunteers there, and they spend BOTH of their scheduled weekly outing days, doing a myriad of jobs that are greatly appreciated by the other staff. The environment there is one of partnership and love, for both the humans and the animals they are helping.
I have recently heard from several other people that the attitudes at this SPCA has deterred them from continuing to volunteer.
Whether or not this lack of human kindness is due to stress, or perhaps hating one's job, it is shameful that the public upon which they depend is turned away in this manner. Would it not make sense that if one surrounds oneself with caring individuals, who are willing to give their time and energy freely and happily, then one would richly improve one's environment? Kindness and smiles don't cost anything. I suspect that bitterness and animosity has cost this association a great deal.