Ways to Volunteer
Get information on becoming a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions. Learn what is involved in teaching an adorable pup to be ready for training by our Canine Companions professional trainers.
Canine Companions for Independence puppies are born into loving volunteer homes. Check out how you can become a volunteer caretaker for one of our wonderful male and female breeder dogs.
Looking for Canine Companions volunteers in your area? See where we have official chapters and volunteer groups around the nation. This also includes volunteering for events, like Dogfest!
Want to get your service club involved in Canine Companions? Find out how your club can help provide exceptional assistance dogs for people with disabilities.
Share your wings with future service dogs! Volunteer pilots transport Canine Companions puppies across the country to their puppy raisers. We’re looking for more pilots to fly our important (and adorable) puppies.
The Junior Ambassador Committee program is comprised of students and young professionals with a passion to make a difference in the disability community.
By partnering with Future Farmers of America (FFA), we endeavor to provide students with an understanding of the service dog industry, while sharing opportunities for students to directly make an impact that will last a lifetime.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities across the country.
Help transport Canine Companions dogs to locations throughout the country and be part of their life-changing journey.
Apply to Volunteer
Volunteer in the North Central Region
(West of Pittsburgh, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota)
Volunteer in the Northeast Region
(New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine)
Volunteer in the Northwest Region
(Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska)
Volunteer in the South Central Region
(Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana)
Volunteer in the Southeast Region
(Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama)
Volunteer in the Southwest Region
(Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Southern California, Southern Nevada, Hawaii)
Volunteer FAQs
To volunteer at Canine Companions, please apply by completing the online volunteer application form – it only takes a few minutes.
Once we receive your information, a volunteer manager will contact you to discuss next steps and schedule your orientation session, along with any necessary training. You can also attend our You can also attend our online Paws and Purpose Info Session.
We’re especially in need of puppy raisers across the country as well as breeder caretakers in Northern California. We provide monthly information sessions to learn more about the roles:
- Learn about various volunteer roles: Paws & Purpose – Volunteer Info Session
- Learn about the Breeder Caretaker role: Breeder Caretaker Info Session Signup – Canine Companions
We are happy to verify community service hours for any volunteer who needs it. Please let us know your specific requirements when speaking with our volunteer managers, and we’ll work with you to ensure proper documentation.
Yes! Depending on the volunteer role, you’ll have opportunities to work with dogs, since our mission is to provide service dogs to individuals with disabilities.
If you prefer to be less hands-on with dogs, there are a variety of other opportunities. Learn about all the different ways you can volunteer with Canine Companions.
We want all our volunteers to feel comfortable and confident. Your volunteer manager will discuss recommended clothing and attire, so you’ll be ready to get the most from your experience.
At Canine Companions, we make every effort to ensure a positive experience for every volunteer, including those with allergies. During the application process, please inform us about your allergies, and we’ll work to identify suitable tasks and environments where you can contribute comfortably.
We offer flexible scheduling options, ranging from one-time and occasional volunteering opportunities to more regular, ongoing commitments. Regardless of the time you can spare, we encourage you to apply as there are a variety of ways you can support our mission.
Volunteer assignments can encompass both indoor and outdoor settings, depending on the specific tasks and activities. Canine Companions operates across various locations, including training facilities, puppy-raising homes, and community events. Rest assured, we’ll provide you with all the pertinent details regarding the location and nature of your volunteering duties.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events and opportunities that enable individuals to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please reach out to your volunteer manager.
Depending on the task and situation, volunteers must be at least 16 years old to volunteer unaccompanied by an adult. Volunteer groups like schools and service groups can volunteer with the oversight of an adult on projects such as DogFest events or with facility roles.
All volunteers are required to participate in a volunteer orientation before starting any role. We provide live and recorded webinar options. The volunteer coordinator provides more information during the application process. In addition, Canine Companions provides ongoing volunteer training opportunities for all volunteers based on their volunteer role.
Our volunteer appreciation program includes thank-you notes, birthday cards, volunteer spotlights and virtual and/or in-person appreciation events. In addition, every year, Canine Companions National Board of Directors recognizes one outstanding volunteer with a Jack Warnock Volunteer Award, as well as five volunteers with a National Board of Director Regional Volunteer Award. Read more here.
Canine Companions is also a certifying organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. This award is based on volunteer service hours with Canine Companions, and all qualified Canine Companions volunteers can express interest in receiving either bronze, silver, or gold-level awards during the application period.
NOTE: The President’s Volunteer Service Award is on a temporary pause, as decided by AmeriCorps effective May 27, 2025. At this time, award applications are not being accepted.
Please fill out our volunteer application and choose “corporate group” from the picklist of what you’re interested in, and a volunteer manager will reach out to you to discuss more.