Volunteers Volunteer! And It Makes Us Feel Good

Oswald as a baby

Source: Nancy Darling

I train puppies to be service dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Today was a sad day - the last time I would see Oswald, my current pup, before he heads for training and begins his new career.

A group of volunteer puppy raisers gathered for ice cream and to say goodbye. I had just come from donating platelets at the Red Cross, so my arms were adorned with bright red bandages, and I was wearing this month's donor gift, a jaunty pair of red sunglasses.

Only 3 percent of adults in the US donate blood each year, so I didn't expect anyone to recognize my red adornments. But another woman looked at my arms and immediately asked if I had done power reds (a special double blood donation)? When I said, no, four of the seven puppy raisers started talking about the nifty red sunglasses and the tradeoffs of the different blood donation options. All of them had donated within the last week! Four of seven in our little group compared to 3 percent nationwide? Then it struck me. We raise puppies for others. We give blood. Volunteers volunteer. That's what we do.

The Power of Altruism

Altruism is the act of doing something for the benefit of others. Volunteering, donating to charity, or serving in the military are all altruistic acts. People who work for the government or non-profits for much lower wages than they could make in the private sector because they want to serve, are acting altruistically.

Although it may seem counterintuitive or disadvantageous to exert time and energy or put oneself in harm's way for others, doing unto others is a core human trait. It has evolutionary advantages when we help kin, but also serves to build a sense of community and increase the likelihood that others will help you in times of need (reciprocal altruism). Even animals engage in altruistic behaviors, such as when dogs protect their owners.

Volunteering and other forms of altruism make us feel good. When people help others, they feel less lonely and more bonded to the community. Their bodies release hormones, endorphins, that evoke positive feelings and reduce stress. They feel more optimistic and less cynical about the world. People who volunteer and act altruistically even live longer. If one were trying to selfishly increase one's well-being, acting altruistically might be a very successful strategy.

Volunteering as a Learned Behavior

As my convenience sample of volunteer puppy raisers shows, altruism and the urge to volunteer aren't random. Like many aspects of adult behavior, we need to learn that giving to others is worth the trouble. For example, Connie Flanagan has studied factors that increase the likelihood that adolescents will act in ways that foster the common good. These include both family backgrounds—those whose parents volunteer are more likely to volunteer themselves—as well as larger historical currents. Participating in organizations that foster volunteerism—4-H, scouting, religious, and other organizations—also gives children the opportunity to learn that doing for others can be fun, build bonds, and develop skills. Although often touted as a way of developing leadership, and volunteer organizations do, volunteering also gives a broad swathe of youth a way to be part of something larger than themselves. Volunteering helps shy children form bonds with adults as well as with their peers. Importantly, doing good for others makes people feel part of something larger than themselves. It provides meaning.

When I am out and about with Oswald, people often praise me for doing the work, but then ask me, almost suspiciously, how I could possibly give up a dog I had worked so hard to raise from a puppy. Could I really love him if I can let him go?

Truth is, it's hard. I cried this afternoon and I'm sure I'll cry again. All of the puppy raisers celebrating Oswald's leaving were there because they knew the bittersweet joy of raising a dog to give away.

But that's what we do for love.