Caretaker of canines

Clinic helpers keep dogs calm during blood donations

Volunteers
By: AV Kitching Posted: 6:00 AM CDT Monday, Oct. 26, 2026

Animal lover Sophie Ethier was looking for a volunteer role when she came across an appeal for donor clinic volunteers at the Canadian Animal Blood Bank and was immediately drawn to the cause.

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Animal lover Sophie Ethier was looking for a volunteer role when she came across an appeal for donor clinic volunteers at the Canadian Animal Blood Bank and was immediately drawn to the cause.

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Animal lover Sophie Ethier was looking for a volunteer role when she came across an appeal for donor clinic volunteers at the Canadian Animal Blood Bank and was immediately drawn to the cause.

She’s been volunteering regularly since the summer, taking on three-hour shifts at one of the many collection clinics around the city.

A typical shift starts with a canine meet-and-greet before Ether collects pre-donation health information and weighs the dog. Then, if the donor is a new one, a regional veterinary technologist will collect blood samples to identify blood type.

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Canadian Animal Blood Bank volunteer Sophie Ethier (second from far left) holds Freya while the Weimaraner dog donates blood for the CABB at the Alpine Animal Hospital in Winnipeg. — BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS

Canadian Animal Blood Bank volunteer Sophie Ethier (second from far left) holds Freya while the Weimaraner dog donates blood for the CABB at the Alpine Animal Hospital in Winnipeg.

Dogs, like humans, have different blood types, Ethier points out. Canine blood falls into either DEA (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen) 1 negative or positive. Only 40 per cent of dogs have type DEA 1 negative and can only receive negative blood.

After the blood type has been identified, Ethier helps the vet tech while blood is collected from a vein in the dog’s neck. The dog’s owner remains in the donation room to provide comfort and a steady stream of treats. The three work together to make sure the canine remains still for the five to seven minutes needed for the procedure.

Ethier leans over the body and holds one of its hind legs and one of its front legs as a precautionary measure so, should the dog move, she is able to stabilize it gently. There is a minimum weight criteria for dogs to give blood — they have to be at least 55 pounds — and on average, donor dogs weigh around 80 pounds, Ethier points out.

Volunteer opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180.

Victor Mager School is looking for friendly, welcoming volunteers to support their weekly Community Connections Café, on Wednesdays from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Volunteers will welcome parents and caregivers from diverse cultural backgrounds, practise relaxed conversational English, encourage social connection, participate in simple activities, and assist with child-minding when needed. No teaching experience is required, but volunteers should communicate respectfully, remain non-judgmental, maintain confidentiality and boundaries, and help create an inclusive environment. Apply by email: danielle.hildebrand@lrsd.net. Deadline is Dec. 18.

The West End Cultural Centre is seeking an office volunteer to support data entry and administrative tasks. The volunteer will update databases and spreadsheets, proofread materials, organize digital records, answer phones, sell tickets, and provide general office support. You should be comfortable with common computer software, detail-oriented, reliable, discreet, and able to work independently; no prior office experience is required. Volunteers commit to one weekday, daytime shift per week, lasting two to four hours, at the WECC office, with scheduling arranged around your availability. If you’re ready to join the WECC volunteer team, please fill out the following form: http://wfp.to/ix2. Deadline is Dec. 31, 2026.

The Mennonite Heritage Village is seeking volunteers for its Fall Education Program who have daytime availability to volunteer in a variety of positions when schools visit for field trips. These positions include leading pioneer activities such as butter churning, refrigerator pickles, windmill interpretation, quilting, fraktur art, and a blackboard spelling bee. Volunteers aged 16 and older must attend orientation, engage school-aged children through assigned activities, wear period-appropriate clothing, remain flexible when working with different age groups, and adapt instructions and communication to meet the needs of each age group. Apply online: www.mhv.ca. Deadline is Nov. 1.

Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is seeking BrainWAVE Parent or Caregiver Volunteers who are at least one year beyond their child’s active treatment. Your voice can make a difference. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child (19 years of age or younger) who is currently facing, or has previously faced, a brain tumour diagnosis, your experiences and insights are essential to shaping programs that truly support families. The commitment is five to seven hours monthly, with more meetings as events near and schedules are flexible. Apply online: http://wfp.to/ixg Deadline is November 30, 2026.

Join Victoria Lifeline’s award-winning team of volunteers today! Their team members install and service Lifeline in client’s homes around Winnipeg. They take pride in empowering independence and saving lives. Volunteers must be available one day per week, have a valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle. Expenses will be reimbursed monthly, and training is provided. Apply online: www.victorialifeline.ca/about-us/volunteer/volunteer-application. Deadline December 30, 2026.

Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc. seeks remote after-school volunteer mentors (English) for its program aiding newcomer and refugee children and youth, Grades 1-12. These mentors provide settlement information, build positive relationships, and enhance language skills. The program runs September to June, Monday-Thursday, 4-8 p.m., with sessions held via Zoom. Ideal mentors are responsible, reliable, patient, and committed. Experience with youth and remote work is a plus but not required. Volunteers gain leadership and communication skills, useful in education careers. A minimum commitment of 2.5 hours weekly for three months is expected. Apply online: http://wfp.to/ixc, or by phone: 204-940-1279. Deadline is Dec. 31.

Local Investment Toward Employment (LITE) Inc. is seeking event volunteers for LITE’s annual Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 27. Roles include: serving food, making and serving coffee, clearing and wiping tables, event set up and clean up. For more information and to apply, email info@lite.mb.ca. Deadline is Nov. 6.

The Manitoba Alliance of Health Regulatory Colleges (MAHRC) is seeking Manitobans to join its Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) and share their perspectives, experiences, and feedback to help strengthen public protection. MAHRC welcomes diverse applicants, including those from equity-deserving, marginalized, and underrepresented communities, and no previous health-regulation experience is required. CAG members should be thoughtful communicators, active listeners, collaborative, curious, respectful of confidentiality, and able to participate in virtual meetings. Members attend approximately four meetings per year, review materials, provide feedback, and may receive an honorarium. Applicants cannot have an active complaint or legal matter with a health regulatory college or have had one within the past five years. For more information visit http://wfp.to/ixJ. Deadline is Nov. 27.

The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Apply at wfp.to/0pE, volunteer@redcross.ca or 1-844-818-2155.

“I am very experienced in the dog world,” she says. “I like dogs and I feel very comfortable with large dogs. The technician and I lift the dog onto the table and help it to lie on its side. While the technician collects the blood, the owner gently holds the dog’s head and keeps giving them praise and petting them.”

“From my position, I can prevent the dog from sitting up … if they move, the needle would most likely come out. Donors who have experience are very valuable because once they know their routine, they’re very relaxed and it’s easy. It’s all about making this experience positive for the dog, from the very beginning of their visit.”

A large part of Ethier’s role is to make sure new donors form positive associations with the visit to the animal hospital. Plenty of treats, praise, pats and belly rubs are employed to reinforce feelings of comfort and connection.

The charity provides onsite training to all volunteers to ensure the donation experience is safe and enjoyable for people and dogs.

Large energetic dogs with a “reasonable” level of obedience and confidence are often great donors as they are able to lie still for the donation. Dogs who are nervous or anxious, wary of new people or fearful during vet appointments may not be able to donate.

Volunteers do not need to have a dog; they just need to be comfortable being around large dogs and, “have patience with the donor,” Ethier says, pointing out that if a canine donor is fearful, they will never be able to donate.

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Volunteer Sophie Ethier with Freya after the Weimaraner dog donated blood. — BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS

Volunteer Sophie Ethier with Freya after the Weimaraner dog donated blood.

“We don’t want to force a dog. We will try to coax the dog into the room with treats, let them take their time to get used to their surroundings, but if they are still very nervous than we don’t collect blood. But even if we were not able to go any further, that would count as a positive first visit experience because the dog came to the vet hospital and came into the room,” she explains.

Ethier used to own two large dogs. She finds the work rewarding and enjoys contributing in this way.

“I no longer have dogs. I like to work with dogs, so this is a nice way to stay involved in that world. Most of the dogs are quite good, very special dogs,” she says. “There was a golden retriever, who is also a seeing eye dog. She is a female dog, and she is contributing so much, for humans and for dogs. She is very sweet, and her owner is super kind and nice.”

Ethier points out that as well as looking for volunteers to help in the clinics, the charity also needs canine donors. Donated blood is used to support dogs during surgery and times of trauma as well as those with health conditions such as parvovirus, anemia and rat poison toxicity, among other things.

“Owners have to believe in the cause, and they must want to contribute to it. It’s a good cause. Demand is very high and the supply is quite low so every donation is important and can help to save a dog’s life,” she says.

For more information on how to become a human volunteer or have your canine donate, visit Canadian Animal Blood Bank.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact av.kitching@winnipegfreepress.com

AV Kitching
Reporter

AV Kitching is an arts and life writer at the Free Press. She has been a journalist for more than two decades and has worked across three continents writing about people, travel, food, and fashion. Read more about AV.

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AV Kitching
Reporter