Pizza Shop Rewards Ohio Dog Shelter Volunteers With Free Pies

When Your Pizza Shop owner Angie Leeman learned volunteers could transform scared shelter dogs into adoptable companions, she knew she had to help spread the word.

Her solution? Free pizza for every volunteer who completes a set number of visits at the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center in Wooster, Ohio.

The shelter is caring for more than 60 dogs, well above its capacity. About 150 volunteers help with tasks like cleaning kennels, doing laundry, organizing donations, and simply spending time with anxious animals learning to trust again.

"I never realized you could come here and just spend time with the dogs and help them become more adoptable," Leeman said. "I think that a lot of people probably don't know that, so maybe this promotion helps get more people involved."

The work volunteers do extends far beyond daily chores. Many dogs arrive scared and hesitant, especially around men due to past trauma.

"They give the dogs interaction with new and different people, which is hugely important," said Shelter Technician Kate Mick. "Volunteers help them learn trust through treats, gentle interaction, walks, and just spending time with them."

For Tonia Rich, volunteering became a calling nine years ago after adopting her first dog from the shelter. She's witnessed countless transformations since then.

"Adopting a dog from the shelter got me hooked on volunteering," Rich said. "To see how the dogs come in and how the staff work with them, day in and day out, it's just something I've never experienced before."

The Ripple Effect

The pizza promotion does double duty. It rewards dedicated volunteers while introducing new people to opportunities they might never have considered.

Leeman gets it on a personal level too. "I'm a dog lover, and this is a way to support the shelter without taking more pets home," she said.

The shelter particularly needs male volunteers to help dogs work through their fear of men. That specialized attention can make the difference between a dog finding a forever home or staying in the shelter indefinitely.

Every volunteer visit helps these animals become more confident, more trusting, and more ready for adoption.