Must love dogs

Studies have proved that pets encourage social interaction and exercise, and reduce stress while providing companionship and unconditional love.

So what do folks like Mendy Phillips do when they need a fur fix but can’t have pets because of housing rules, a demanding work or travel schedule or a family member with allergies?

The Army soldier had to leave her dog, Astro, with a friend in Kansas City, Kan., when she became stationed in Hawaii, and as an unmarried junior enlisted member, she’s required to live in barracks housing, where pets are not allowed.

“I’ve always had dogs except for when I was in college,” said Phillips, 35, of Schofield Barracks.

She searched the Web until she found Hawaii Fi-Do, an agency that raises, trains and provides therapy dogs. Phillips visits the group’s kennels regularly, about every other week, helping with grooming, walking and bathing the animals. During a recent visit she was busy with 10 4-week-old Labradoodle puppies.

“I’ve bathed all of the dogs at one point or another,” she said.

According to Susan Luehrs, owner of Hawaii Fi-Do, puppy raisers are in demand.

Karen Helmeyer, a Kailua resident, said she is not ready to commit to having a dog full time, so she fosters pups through the Hawaii Dog Foundation.

“I retired from the military in 2008 and have been doing a lot of personal travel. I knew that I wanted dog companionship, but I’m not ready to give up my fun lifestyle. I didn’t want to own a dog, but could take care of one for a little while,” she said.

“Since I’m not working, I can take them on walks, go to the beach. I get attached but realize that I’m the transitional person. I’m happy to take them from a bad situation to a good situation … to meet their new family and take them to their forever home,” Helmeyer said. “It’s great for the dogs — it’s great for me.”

Dog parks are another place where people can interact with animals. Hui ‘Ilio Hawai‘i, a group that promotes safe and friendly places for dogs to play and encourages responsible dog ownership, seeks volunteers to serve as “rangers” at the Hawaii Kai Dog Park. Training and a six-month commitment of two hours a week are required.

“We have volunteers who do not own a pet and just love spending time at the park with all the dogs,” said Elaine Dobashi, president of Hui ‘Ilio Hawai‘i. “They love meeting the dog owners and making new friends.”

Mary Houghton has been volunteering on a weekly basis at the dog park since 2008. Duties include refilling water bowls and bag dispensers, washing down the area and assisting with landscaping. She has cats at home but no dogs.

Normally she begins her volunteer shift pulling weeds for a half-hour. Volunteers spend time with the dogs and refill water bowls before they leave for the evening.

“I can approach all of the dogs and not feel any fear because we get so much experience with the dogs,” said Houghton, who works as an administrative coordinator with the National Kidney Foundation. “I love all the dogs at the dog park. They bring real relaxation at the end of the day.”

Paula Fitzell also volunteers regularly at the dog park. “The Hawaii Kai Dog Park is a community where you get to know dogs and their people. You get to know all the dogs by name, know their temperament, what they like, who their playmates are, and they will always come up to be petted,” she said.

“My rental apartment does not allow dogs. I also work a lot, and it would not be fair to a dog to be cooped up in an apartment all day.”

Fitzell is fortunate that many of her friends have dogs and ask her to take them on walks or “pet-sit” when they are vacation. “All of my friends’ dogs loved the dog park, especially the freedom to run off-leash and socialize with other dogs.”