Volunteer Spotlight: Barb Jones & Archie
Barb Jones pictured with her 8-year-old Labradoodle, Archie, while visiting Luna.
For the past four years, Barb Jones has been volunteering with the Pet Access League Society (PALS), and for the last year she and her furry companion, Archie, have brought their warmth and joy to Luna Child & Youth Advocacy Centre.
As a PALS volunteer, Barb’s role is simple but powerful: bringing Archie to the people who need his love. Together, they’ve brightened days in seniors’ homes, dementia wards, hospitals, and now Luna—where Barb says both she and Archie feel most at home. “Luna is definitely his favourite, and mine too,” Barb shared. “We spend time with children and their caregivers in the child space, and then we visit with the wonderful staff in the back. We show our tricks, share our love, and it feels so good to be here.”
Barb first got involved with PALS when a neighbour encouraged her to look into the organization for Archie. It turned out to be the perfect fit. “My husband says Archie goes to PALS to visit with people—but he can’t drive,” Barb laughs. “He loves it just as much as I do.”
For Barb, the most rewarding part of volunteering with PALS and Luna is seeing the impact Archie makes—not only with children and families but also with staff. “We are valued by the staff as much as we are by the clients. I think we make a big difference here.”
When it comes to her approach, Barb takes things day by day. “We really try to go with the flow. Every day here is different. Sometimes kids really want to visit, and other times they don’t. Archie gets so excited to come here, and that just reinforces everything.”
Volunteering has been a lifelong calling for Barb, and her time at Luna has only deepened her perspective. “Being here, I better understand what Luna is, what you all do, and how stressful the jobs are. It gives me a lot more empathy and compassion in my day-to-day life.”
Outside of Luna, Barb keeps busy with a wide range of interests: gardening in both Calgary and Invermere, biking, skiing, reading, and even learning to knit (though she insists she’s “terrible at it”). She’s also active in her book club and somehow finds time for five other volunteer roles.
We are so grateful for Barb and Archie, who bring comfort, smiles, and love wherever they go.
View our Q&A with Barb below:
How long have you been volunteering with Luna?
With PALS, we joined before COVID, and came back after. Four years with PALS and one year with Luna.
What do you do in your volunteer role, as a PALS Volunteer?
With PALS, the Pet Access League Society, it's all about getting Archie Infront of people. Senior homes, dementia wards, hospitals and now Luna. Luna is definitely his favourite, and mine too. We spend time in the Child Space with children and their caregivers, and then we spend time with the staff in the back. And we show our tricks and share our love at Luna.
Why did you decide to volunteer with PALS/Luna?
I have a neighbour who has a PALS dog and recommended Archie. My husband says Archie goes to PALS just to visit, but he can't drive, so I have to go too. Archie loves it just as much as I do. I was asked by PALS if I would like to come to Luna since they thought we'd be a good fit.
What is the most rewarding part of volunteering at Luna?
I think we make a big difference. I feel we make a difference with the staff, as much as the children. We are valued by the staff as much as we are the clients.
What are your goals when it comes to volunteering at Luna?
We don’t have any goals. We really try to go with the flow. Every day here is different, depending on what kids are here, what they need emotionally, etc. Sometimes kids really want to visit and other times they don't. It depends on the day. The fact that he gets so excited to come here just reinforces everything.
What have you learned from your volunteer role that you can apply to the rest of your life?
I have volunteered my whole entire life. Luna enhances that feeling of value. Being here, I better understand what Luna is, what you all do and how stressful the jobs are. It gives me a lot more empathy in my day-to-day life and compassion.
Outside of your role at Luna, what interests keep you busy?
I love to garden. I garden here and Invermere. We were gone for 10 days and my yard really needed TLC. I was busy mowing, dead-heading, weeding. We love to bike, we love to ski. I love to read too. I just started learning to knit. I am terrible at it though. I am in a book club. I have five volunteer gigs as well.
