Volunteer

Assistance Dogs are not just born they are raised, and the Puppy Raiser Volunteer plays an important role in our training beginning with our puppies at 10 weeks old. This role requires a lot of time and extra effort since puppies are puppies with a variety of needs and energy to learn and explore. These volunteers provide a safe home for the puppy for 10 weeks. New handler training classes, class observation, puppy orientation classes and a home evaluation/visit is required for this position. This time period is about helping the puppy to develop good habits through engaged supervision while laying the foundation for communication with the puppy through consistent training. Puppy Raisers also attend weekly classes and outings with their assistance dogs puppy. Progress reports, communication with the training staff, working with your assistance dogs mentor and transporting the puppy to outings and vet appointments is a requirement of this P.U.P. Puppy Raisers can choose to stay on as their puppy’s foster to finish their Service Dog training.

Fosters are vital to our Assistance Dog program and our mission. These volunteers house, train and nurture our service dogs in training from 5-9 months of age to up to two years. Their mission is to love, care and socialize their service dog in training along with providing training at home, during outings and in group training classes. They work closely with the assistance dogs training team to learn cues, manners, appropriate behavior and how the dogs will help in the future either by being placed with an individual with a disability or in a school program. The complete care of the dog is the responsibility of the foster family including grooming, feeding, exercise, safety, health and socialization. The payback is wonderful knowing that you made a difference in the life of someone living with a disability to become more independent. Fosters attend New Handler classes, observe a training class, observe an outing and have a home evaluation/visit before receiving a dog. Once they receive their service dog in training, they attend weekly one hour group training classes with an assistance dogs trainer and their dog in training. The lessons are designed to help the dog build upon their foundation behaviors with the help of the reinforcement and training at home with the foster family. A foster is never alone in this learning process as the assistance dogs canine services team provides a constant link, help, and answers throughout the training process. All expenses are covered by assistance dogs, but fosters are welcome to provide approved treats and toys for the dog to enjoy. Dedication, consistency, communication, responsibility, enthusiasm, and love are all required for this important role.

Sitters help assistance dogs and the fosters when they need to go out of town for vacation, family visits or in an emergency situation. Sitters are contacted by the assistance dogs volunteer coordinator when a dog needs a babysitter. The dog lives with the sitter and the length of time typically ranges from a weekend up to 2 weeks. The foster will update the sitter on the dog’s information, behaviors and provide the sitter with food, a crate, toys, and treats for the dogs stay. The sitter’s role is to keep the dog safe, happy and well behaved during the time the dog is living with the sitter. The sitter does not need to attend training classes but do need to reinforce the cues and rules that were taught in the New Handler training classes that are required for all sitters while sitting. The sitter provides information on the stay and the dog’s behavior when the foster returns. The sitter is not permitted to walk the dog or take the dog out in public or to parks. Sitters are also required to complete a home visit with an assistance dogs staff member.

This volunteer role is a staff recommended and approved based on time volunteering with Assistance Dogs and experience. It consists of whelping hosts and assistants. Whelping is the process of a dog giving birth to puppies. The birthing process usually lasts 12-24 hours but consists of before and after preparations and post-birth care. The whelping host then cares for the puppies and the mother in their home from birth until 8 weeks old. The nursery volunteer helps with early socialization of the puppies through play, touch, introducing new surfaces, noises, objects and people. They also care for the mother and manages the mother/puppy bond.

A short volunteer commitment time but a very essential part in our puppy training process. The Smart Start Volunteer commits to a two-week period of time, Monday through Friday, with two hours in the morning and two late afternoon hours. Puppy kisses and puppy love is part of this role but also tasks include supervising small play groups of 2- 3 puppies. Documenting potty breaks, reinforcing good manners, assisting with handling exercises and exposure to new experiences. The volunteer also help prepare enrichment activities and puppy go-home bags. Other tasks include cleaning/disinfecting toys and supplies, transporting puppies to outings or the vet. Prepares the puppies for a smooth transition to their puppy raiser volunteer. This training period is for puppies 8 to 10 weeks of age and takes place at the Logie Center on Ability Center’s campus or another designated local location on occasion.

The facility volunteers handle the feeding of the dogs that are in Final Training at the center. They come in late afternoon Monday through Thursday to feed and let the final training dogs out after feeding them. These volunteers also handle other projects that may come up around the assistance dogs buildings including light landscaping, yard work, equipment cleaning/organizing and supply inventory.

Assistance dogs belongs to a breeding cooperative and at times it is necessary to transport puppies/dogs to various places including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and Southern Ohio. Transportation volunteers agree to do this based on their availability and desire. Coordination and supplies are provided by the assistance dogs team. These volunteers use their personal vehicles and must have a clean driving record, current license and insurance. assistance dogs reimburses for mileage and if needed hotel expenses and meals.

These volunteers are called upon to assist at various Ability Center special events and/or fundraising events. The roles vary from being greeters to assisting with registration, information tables, or helping with food and/or games.

Nothing surprising here but to help with various office projects, computer entry, filing or organization.

This volunteer is selected by our staff based on their role within a school and their experience. These volunteers work with dogs in training in a school setting. The volunteer is usually a counselor or behavior specialist with the school district and a special curriculum and training program is in effect for this wonderful volunteer.