Help Rescued Dogs

This volunteer project in Ecuador was founded over 10 years ago by an Italian. It is dedicated to the therapy of disabled children with mental and physical limitations or disabilities, such as autism, Down Syndrome or paralysis. Even blind and deaf children can participate in the therapies. The project started on private initiative in one of the largest parks in Quito, now after many years of hard work, the project has its place in the park and the number of children and animals participating in the therapy has increased significantly. The approximately 15 dogs and some horses used for the therapy are the main actors in this project.

Initially there were only a few dogs used for the therapy, but thanks to the great reception of the families, this project is now one of the largest of its kind in Quito. However, volunteers are needed to assist in therapies and to take care of the animals.

In this project you can tackle in different places. Your help as a volunteer is very much in demand and important. The tasks are, in addition to the maintenance of the infrastructure, especially the care of the dogs. This includes primarily bathing, feeding and playing with the dogs. Particularly important also is the help of the volunteers when training new dogs. With a lot of patience and treats you teach the basic commands to the dogs, who used to live on the street or in non-adecuate conditions in private households. You can practice with the dogs how to walk on a leash or walk next to a wheelchair, for example.

Experience in the care of animals is not required for this project. However, you should not be afraid of dogs and ideally not suffer from an animal hair allergy. Otherwise, the love of animals and the joy of helping is all you need to support this amazing volunteer project in Quito.

​Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.

With its rich pre-Columbian history, the capital of Ecuador was founded on the ruins of an Inca city, and nowadays offers everything a modern traveler may need. Quito remains one of the best preserved historic city centers in Latin America and UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. This huge city stretches over a fabulous Andean valley surrounded by volcanic peaks. Among its streets, you can find 40 churches and chapels, 16 convents and monasteries with their respective cloisters, 17 squares, 12 convent and refractory courtyards, 12 museums and innumerable beautiful patios.

Just 33 kilometers north of Quito is the Middle of the World, the place with the line that divides the planet earth in the northern and southern hemisphere.

Further north, an hour's drive from Quito, is Otavalo, the largest indigenous market in the world. To the south, about a hundred kilometers away, you can visit Latacunga and the Cotopaxi National Park, with the very high volcano of the same name. Further south the cities of Ambato and Baños are worth a visit, with the spectacular view of the Tungurahua volcano, which can be climbed to the top. Especially Baños is real fun place to visit due to countless of sports and adrelanine activities.