P.A.W.S. Youth Volunteer Program

About P.A.W.S.

The San Antonio Humane Society’s (SAHS) P.A.W.S. program – Practicing Animal Welfare through Service, is a service-learning volunteer program designed for high school students ages 16 and 17. Through hands-on experience alongside SAHS staff and volunteers, participants will build valuable skills in leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. This program is an excellent option for students seeking to fulfill community service requirements for programs such as the National Honor Society or The President’s Volunteer Service Award.

P.A.W.S. will take place over the course of the 2025-2026 school year. Student volunteers will participate in eight four-hour sessions consisting of a mix of classroom learning and hands-on volunteering. Student volunteers will also have the opportunity to complete webinars to earn additional volunteer hours from home. Topics covered in the program include enrichment & animal behavior management, veterinary medicine, media, community outreach, and more. Student volunteers will also work on a project throughout the course of the program to be presented during the final group session. Student volunteers who attend all scheduled sessions and complete all assigned webinars will earn a minimum of 40 volunteer hours. Additionally, all student volunteers will have the opportunity to earn more hours throughout the course of the program through onsite volunteer service. Upon successful completion of the P.A.W.S. program, student volunteers will have the opportunity to become members of the general volunteer program if they wish to continue their volunteer service with the SAHS.

The P.A.W.S. program is limited to 20 participants. All interested individuals will be required to complete an application, submit a resume, and provide two letters of recommendation. At least one letter of recommendation must be from an adult that is not related to the applicant i.e. a teacher, coach, professional mentor, or job supervisor. SAHS staff will review all applications. If selected to move forward, the applicant will be invited to the SAHS for a formal interview with a SAHS Outreach Coordinator. After interviewing all selected applicants and making their final decisions, all applicants will be notified of their status via phone or email. There is no application fee, however, a $100 fee will be due upon acceptance into the program. This fee helps offset the cost of the participant’s volunteer insurance, uniform, and supplies required for the program. For any questions, please contact volunteer@sahumane.org.

  • Must be able to adhere to the minimum physical and cognitive capabilities outlined in the Volunteer Capabilities Overview.
  • Must be at least 16 years of age when the program starts October 4, 2025.
  • Must be able to commit to attending pre-scheduled, four-hour program sessions once a month, typically on the first Saturday of the month.
  • Must complete the application in its entirety, including submitting a resume and two letters of recommendation.
  • Applications will be accepted between August 11 and September 3, 2025.
  • Applicants will be notified of their first-round status by September 5, 2025.
  • If selected, applicants will be asked to schedule interviews between September 6 and September 14, 2025.
  • Applicants will be notified of their status no later than September 17, 2025.
  • If selected, the program fee will be due no later than September 24, 2025.
  • October 4, 2025

  • November 1, 2025

  • December 6, 2025

  • January 3, 2026

  • February 7, 2026

  • March 7, 2026

  • April 4, 2026

  • May 2, 2026

All P.A.W.S. scheduled sessions will go from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

  • Applications should be completed by the student applying to the program. Parents and/or guardians should not complete the application for the student.
  • Be authentic when answering application questions. Don’t copy and paste answers from the internet.
  • Review your application before submitting it. Check for spelling and grammar errors and ensure that you are submitting a complete application.

We understand that many students may not have a resume and/or may not be sure what should be included. The format isn’t important, but please be sure to include the following information on your resume:

  • Education 
    • Include your school’s name, expected graduation date, any Pre-AP, AP, or dual credit classes you are enrolled in, and any extracurricular activities you participate in.
  • Previous Work Experience 
    • Include your place of employment, how long you worked there or when you started working there if you are still employed, and a brief description of your job duties. 
  • Hard Skills 
    • Hard skills refer to your ability to perform job-specific tasks and are learned through education and experience. 
      • Examples: Bilingual, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace
  • Soft Skills 
    • Soft skills are natural abilities and traits that are developed with time, practice, and intention. 
      • Examples: Organizational skills, Flexibility, Public Speaking, Reliability, Leadership
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