Tails wag and eyes dance as Pat Nolta walks beagles Bailey and Dublin.
The mother-daughter duo is ready for adoption from Nassau County Animal Control Services in Yulee.
Nolta, 75, walks the pair and other dogs awaiting their forever homes at NCAS. She has volunteered at the shelter for seven years and serves as volunteer coordinator, encouraging other seniors to donate their time.
“I want some of these people to get in, get off the sofa and stop talking about their aches and pains,” Nolta said Monday. “(Walking the dogs) makes you forget.”
The Yulee resident began cleaning kennels, filming adoption videos and facilitating adoptions when she began volunteering. She owns five dogs and fosters another one.
“(There’s) immense satisfaction,” Nolta said. “I’ve always been a dog person since I was a little girl. I just get so much satisfaction. … When you retire, you need a purpose. Your purpose isn’t more appreciated than here at NCAS. You shouldn’t say you can’t do it until you try.”
John and Sharon Miller decided to give dog walking a try in October. The Yulee couple likes to stay active. Interested volunteers must complete an application and meet with Nolta. They are given handouts on what to wear when walking dogs and receive tips on how to interact with them.
Accidents can still happen.
Earlier that morning, Sharon Miller was pulled down onto the pavement as she walked an exuberant dog.
“I will be more careful about who I choose, because I usually walk the smaller dogs,” the 78-year-old said after she was examined by Nassau County Fire Rescue emergency responders.
Though Miller suffered a bump on her head and a scraped thumb, she was undaunted.
“We love animals,” she said. “We believe in volunteering. We’re always looking for something. We like to stay busy. We’re still going to do it.”
The Millers usually visit once weekly, spending one to two hours walking and leash-training dogs.
One dog was shy at first and unwilling to walk on a leash, but after going out a few times, he became as eager as the other dogs, said John Miller, 81.
“It’s just something that prepares them for adoption,” his wife said. “We have no dogs at home. We travel and don’t want a dog full time, so we do this part time. It’s our dog fix.”
The canines are especially eager to exit the dog runs as they are exercised on leash, stretching their legs and sniffing the grass.
“They’re such nice dogs,” Sharon Miller said. “It’s a shame they don’t have more adoptions. I know they work hard to adopt them.”
The couple has bonded with a few dogs as they offer hugs, pats and encouraging words.
“Every dog is a benefit,” Miller said.
“It’s soothing,” her husband interjected.
“We’ve had a lot of dogs out that we’d like to adopt,” Miller added.
“If I were ready to adopt, I would have no trouble getting a dog,” John Miller said.
Volunteers are always needed, despite the efforts of several who assist, including Lisa Perrett and Terry Griffin. The women donate their time each weekend.
If walking dogs gives one pause, volunteers may instead wash dishes, fold laundry or mingle with the felines in the cattery.
“We’ll figure something out for them to do,” Nolta said. “I just hope they come down and find as much enjoyment as I do.”
A foster care program is also available. To learn more, visit www.friendsanimalsnassau.org.