Community Living in Walnut Creek Inspires Volunteerism

Just one block from Viamonte at Walnut Creek, a meaningful partnership is unfolding between neighbors.

Twice a week, resident Linda Ault walks up the street to Joybound People & Pets, where she volunteers her time supporting shelter animals and the people who adopt them. On Mondays, she welcomes guests at the front desk. On Wednesdays, she works behind the scenes, washing loads of bedding, towels, and supplies to ensure cats and dogs are clean, comfortable, and ready for their next home.

Joybound serves thousands of animals each year and relies on a dedicated volunteer network to fulfill its mission. With hundreds of active volunteers, there is always room for more helping hands and open hearts.

For Linda, volunteering is personal. Raised on a farm and later co-owner of Cedar Mountain Winery in Livermore with her late husband Earl, animals have always been part of her life. After moving to Viamonte in 2023 and following Earl’s passing in 2025, she deepened her commitment to giving back. What began as occasional involvement became a steady rhythm of service and connection.

Before and after her shifts, Linda visits the shelter animals, checking in on familiar faces and meeting newcomers. She especially enjoys seeing the moment an animal is adopted.

“When I see people walk out the door with their new pet, and you can feel the happiness on both sides, there is real joy in that,” she shares.

Linda’s story reflects what community living can make possible. With the ease of maintenance-free living and neighbors just steps away, residents have more time and energy to invest in what matters. In Shadelands, that means neighbors helping neighbors, and in this case, helping the animals who bring so much love into people’s lives.

Read the full article shared by Shadelands Walnut Creek.