Hikes with Hounds

About Hikes with Hounds

Graham Recreation & Parks, Burlington Recreation & Parks, and Burlington Animal Services (BAS) have teamed up for the Hikes with Hounds program and are searching for volunteers. Volunteers will take a shelter dog for a hike along one of Alamance County’s beautiful trails. This volunteer opportunity will offer an enrichment activity for some of Burlington Animal Services’ adoptable dogs to get away for a couple of hours to enjoy nature, socializing, and exercise. Hikes with Hounds will be offered one Friday each month at a hiking trail location at a Burlington or Graham park, or along the Haw River Trail. The Hikes with Hounds program began in the spring of 2015, receiving the 2016 North Carolina Recreation & Parks Association’s Innovative Program Award.

Volunteers must meet certain requirements including:

Must be 18 years of age or older
Must be able to hike up to 4 miles at a moderate pace or on an uneven terrain
Must attend volunteer orientation training before becoming a trail dog walker (Due to COVID-19, Volunteer Orientation Trainings have been suspended until further notice.)
Registration form with waiver and copy of ID must be submitted in advance

COVID-19 Program Modifications:

Limit group size to 10 (plus 4 staff)
Volunteers must pre-register, no walk-ups.
If you are sick or have been around someone who is sick, do NOT attend.
- If you are 65 years or older OR have underlying medical conditions we encourage you to NOT participate at this time.
- Volunteers and staff are required to wear masks during check-in and as the group gathers before/after the hike and any other time social distance cannot be maintained. Once hiking and social distanced on the trail, masks will not be required.
- Participants and staff are encouraged to wash or sanitize hands before and after hiking. Hand sanitizer will be available.
Leashes will be assigned to each volunteer. Please don’t share leashes or equipment unless from the same household.
Volunteers bring their own water.
Only staff will handle water/bowls for dogs.
Program will only run if there are enough suitable dogs at BAS to take on a hike.

Volunteer Procedures for Hikes
Hikes with Hounds Program Registration and Waiver

Did you know you can help out Burlington Animal Services’ (BAS) four-legged friends during this time? Adopt. Foster. Donate. BAS serves all of Alamance County. Learn how you can help by calling (336) 578-0343 or email. View available pets online at www.BurlingtonNC.gov/pets.

For more information, please visit www.BurlingtonNC.gov/pets or email Brandy McCandless at [email protected]