Should I include the volunteer work on my resume?

What should I include in a letter I'll be sending to vets/kennels for employment/volunteer opportunities?

• I'm not a sporty person, and I don't do a lot of extracurricular activities. Because of this, I have quite a bit of free time and I feel as if it's being wasted. I'd much rather dedicate my time to something that'll benefit my aspirations for the future (which is becoming a veterinarian, opening my own shelter/rescue, etc). However, the biggest problem is that I'm only seventeen, and almost all shelters/veterinary offices require employees/volunteers to be AT LEAST 18 years of age. I don't want to be a hostess at a restaurant or bag groceries at Apple Market. I really, really want to work with animals. If I can't make money doing it, I'll still enjoy just being around animals: walking them, playing with them, grooming them, and cleaning their kennels just to help make them happy and comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. The volunteer hours will look great on a resume (even a transcript for college). My question is, if you were the person receiving this letter PLEADING for an opportunity to work with animals at your veterinary office/shelter, what would it have to include (granted your policy is 18+) in order to persuade you to make an exception for my sake? I know I'm a "liability", but I don't see how another year is going to make me any better at taking care of a dog/cat (even horse). Should I include something about signing waivers? Lol. Thank you in advance for any tips.

• Answer:

  Try applying for an apprenticeship with a vets/animal shelter. The pay is below minimum wage but while you work, you also get qualified in the area you are working in. For you, I think the qualification you will need to complete is health and safety, bio-hazard awareness, animal care and possibly business studies. You can also request any other qualifications you want to be included in this.