[Video Review] Unconditional Love Received in Tokushima
Author: Administrator
Country / City: Asia/Japan/Tokushima
Views : 856
#Felt the weight of life and found calm #Bonding with animals, self-comfort #The meaning of volunteering, a warm turning point
*A real gap year program participant joined this interview to introduce gap year to more people.
Strongly recommended by Korea Gap Year participant Lee Yujin 👏👏👏
A simple everyday wild life: volunteering to care for abandoned animals in Tokushima, Japan
"I don''t think there will be a happier day than this in my life."
🐶 Connection with animals, and a wish to take a short break
This vacation, I volunteered for four weeks at an abandoned animal shelter in Tokushima, Japan. After taking animal-related classes at school, I wanted to interact with animals in person someday, and at the same time I wanted to give my tired mind a rest. I had fond memories of doing environmental volunteering in Iceland through a gap year before. So this time I also wanted to go away like a trip but do something meaningful, and that desire naturally led me to volunteer in Tokushima.
🐕 Tumultuous dog-walking adventures
The main activity was walking the dogs. We took about 15 dogs for walks each day, and each walk lasted about 15–20 minutes. While volunteers were out walking, the staff cleaned the kennels. One dog in particular, ''Kiki,'' was so gentle and lovable—she was my favorite (laughs). Of course, it wasn''t all smooth sailing. A volunteer once lost a dog during a walk, and although it wasn''t me, I still vividly remember the tension of that moment. Walking was more hectic and tiring than I expected, but thinking that those short 20 minutes were probably the most exciting time of the day for these dogs, I always tried to go out with a good heart.
🏡 The feeling of your care being conveyed
At first the dogs were shy, but then one moment they''d bury their faces in my lap and beg to be held—those times touched me deeply. It was a moment when I felt that the small gestures I offered had been warmly received. That''s when I realized that what I was doing really meant something to someone.
🤣 The unexpected diet fiasco
I thought I''d naturally lose weight from running around all day… but I actually gained weight. Ending each night by drinking beer with the other volunteers, the pounds piled on… In the end the three of us bought a scale and even did the ''Tiffany workout'' together. (We only did it for two days though!)
🗣️ The comfort given by conversations with foreign friends
Michael, a German who volunteered with me, was a great comfort and inspiration. I was anxious before my TOEFL exam, wondering ''is this okay?'', but Michael told me, ''This conversation itself is listening and speaking practice.'' Hearing that made me feel okay to enjoy the time as it was. There probably won''t be many chances to relax like this in the future.
💖 A pause called volunteering
Through this volunteer work I felt the weight of life again, and returned full of a kind of ease and warmth that''s hard to feel in everyday life. It was hard at times, but also a time of laughter, being moved, and learning. I think this memory will become a great driving force in my life going forward.
🙌 If you''re considering a gap year volunteer program caring for abandoned animals in Tokushima, start lightly. That experience might become a very warm turning point for you.
*A real gap year program participant joined this interview to introduce gap year to more people.
Strongly recommended by Korea Gap Year participant Lee Yujin 👏👏👏
A simple everyday wild life: volunteering to care for abandoned animals in Tokushima, Japan
"I don''t think there will be a happier day than this in my life."
🐶 Connection with animals, and a wish to take a short break
This vacation, I volunteered for four weeks at an abandoned animal shelter in Tokushima, Japan. After taking animal-related classes at school, I wanted to interact with animals in person someday, and at the same time I wanted to give my tired mind a rest. I had fond memories of doing environmental volunteering in Iceland through a gap year before. So this time I also wanted to go away like a trip but do something meaningful, and that desire naturally led me to volunteer in Tokushima.
🐕 Tumultuous dog-walking adventures
The main activity was walking the dogs. We took about 15 dogs for walks each day, and each walk lasted about 15–20 minutes. While volunteers were out walking, the staff cleaned the kennels. One dog in particular, ''Kiki,'' was so gentle and lovable—she was my favorite (laughs). Of course, it wasn''t all smooth sailing. A volunteer once lost a dog during a walk, and although it wasn''t me, I still vividly remember the tension of that moment. Walking was more hectic and tiring than I expected, but thinking that those short 20 minutes were probably the most exciting time of the day for these dogs, I always tried to go out with a good heart.
🏡 The feeling of your care being conveyed
At first the dogs were shy, but then one moment they''d bury their faces in my lap and beg to be held—those times touched me deeply. It was a moment when I felt that the small gestures I offered had been warmly received. That''s when I realized that what I was doing really meant something to someone.
🤣 The unexpected diet fiasco
I thought I''d naturally lose weight from running around all day… but I actually gained weight. Ending each night by drinking beer with the other volunteers, the pounds piled on… In the end the three of us bought a scale and even did the ''Tiffany workout'' together. (We only did it for two days though!)
🗣️ The comfort given by conversations with foreign friends
Michael, a German who volunteered with me, was a great comfort and inspiration. I was anxious before my TOEFL exam, wondering ''is this okay?'', but Michael told me, ''This conversation itself is listening and speaking practice.'' Hearing that made me feel okay to enjoy the time as it was. There probably won''t be many chances to relax like this in the future.
💖 A pause called volunteering
Through this volunteer work I felt the weight of life again, and returned full of a kind of ease and warmth that''s hard to feel in everyday life. It was hard at times, but also a time of laughter, being moved, and learning. I think this memory will become a great driving force in my life going forward.
🙌 If you''re considering a gap year volunteer program caring for abandoned animals in Tokushima, start lightly. That experience might become a very warm turning point for you.
Why This Project
What makes this project special
#Wisdom & Capability#Inner Peace & Fulfillment#Rest & Recovery#Living in Japan#Healing Together with Animals#Protecting Abandoned Dogs#Love for Animals#Japanese-style Dog Training#Experience Unconditional Love#Enjoy Relaxation#Global Career#Animal Volunteering#Connecting with Animals#Healing My Heart#Recharge with Love and Happiness#Regaining Self-Esteem#Dog Expert#Reflecting on Myself#Volunteer Travel
Why This Project
What makes this project special
#Wisdom & Capability#Inner Peace & Fulfillment#Rest & Recovery#Living in Japan#Healing Together with Animals#Protecting Abandoned Dogs#Love for Animals#Japanese-style Dog Training#Experience Unconditional Love#Enjoy Relaxation#Global Career#Animal Volunteering#Connecting with Animals#Healing My Heart#Recharge with Love and Happiness#Regaining Self-Esteem#Dog Expert#Reflecting on Myself#Volunteer Travel
Take just one brave step. GapYear will take care of the rest.
