SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - It’s national volunteer week, a time to celebrate those who give their time to help our community. But for one local animal shelter, volunteers aren’t just a “bonus” — they are the backbone of the entire operation. That’s right from “pet chauffeurs” to laundry crews, the TJO Adoption Center is looking for extra hands after a tough couple of weeks.

I’m outside the TJO Adoption Center for National Volunteer Week, and after speaking with Executive Director of the TJO Foundation, Jana Brown, she tells us that there are multiple volunteer opportunities here at the Adoption Center and at the Foundation. She also tells us that without volunteers the operations here just wouldn’t be able to function.

“They have so many volunteers that do so many jobs at the adoption center. And the foundation also uses volunteers for our events,” the Executive Director for TJO Janna Brown said, “we would not be able to run that 5K without our volunteers. So, we’re always looking for people to help out with fundraising events.”

The shelter is bouncing back after a week-long closure due to a parvo outbreak, that means the ‘to-do’ list is longer than ever. They need people to help with the basics — from laundry and dishes, they also have a brand-new need for ‘pet chauffeurs’ to drive animals to their vet appointments and no matter what hours you’re free – they’re willing to work with you.

“It always changes, and volunteers, when they come in to work with the animals specifically, they go through some training. And then they’re able to kind of pick and choose when they can volunteer. So, they will work with your schedule,” Brown herself is no stranger to volunteering.

She started off as a dog volunteer, helping clean out the pet’s cages at the adoption center while she was working as a full-time meteorologist. She told us that helping the animals actually helps her, “I did it because, honestly, it helps with my depression, to be quite honest. And it helps with your mental health. It helps to give back. It feels good to volunteer. But it also was really nice to do something for the animals.”

And like Janna said, there will be multiple volunteer opportunities with the Adoption Center and the TJO Foundation, most notably the Jack Rome Memorial 5K, which will be on May 2nd. If you would like to volunteer, you can check out their website.