Volunteer Opportunities
NSD would not exist without the hard work and dedication of our 500+ volunteers.
In 2018, 450,000 hours of volunteer time were donated to NSD.
Hi, Future Volunteer! I’m so happy to see you’re interested in getting involved with National Service Dogs! I’m Lindsey, the Volunteer Coordinator. I’ve been working with NSD for several years and started as a volunteer Puppy Raiser, so I can tell you all about the different volunteer roles that are available! Follow the directions below to submit your application and if you have any questions, please reach out to me at lindsey@nsd.on.ca. With the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of our programs are modified but I can’t wait to ‘virtually’ meet you!”
Step 1: Check out all our volunteer opportunities below to learn more about them.
Step 2: Click the “Sign Up Here” button to complete an application.
Step 3: Remember your username and password – we use MyImpactPage.com for most of our volunteer communications.
Step 4: Expect an email within 2 weeks of applying – please check your spam/trash folder too!
Volunteer Opportunities with Dogs in Training
Do you love dogs? There are a variety of ways to volunteer at National Service Dogs (NSD) and work with our life-changing puppies-in-training and dogs in Advanced Training! Did you know only about 10% of our service dogs’ training is done by our trainers, the rest is done by dedicated volunteers! Regardless of how you plan to volunteer, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
Breeder Caretaker
As a Breeder Caretaker, you get to help the next generation of Service Dogs begin their journey. In this role, you welcome a breeding dog into your home and provide a safe and loving environment. You bring the dog to all of their appointments and care for them until retirement from the breeding program; females typically retire after 3 litters or at 6 years old.
Breeder Caretakers for female dogs also welcome litters of puppies! With support from staff and our whelping program, you would host the litter of puppies for about 7 weeks. This includes keeping the puppies’ area clean and stimulating for both mom and her puppies. The main goal at this stage is to care for and socialize the puppies until they are ready to start training with their Puppy Starters. As a Breeder Caretaker, you are the first step in raising confident Service Dogs.
This volunteer role requires a flexible schedule so that the volunteer can focus the majority of their time on the litter of puppies during this crucial period of development. The volunteer must live within 45 minutes of NSD (1286 Cedar Creek Rd), have no children under the age of 5 living in the house, and a maximum of 2 personal dogs that are over 1 year of age.
Learn about the complete volunteer requirements here.
Anticipated Start Date: Spring 2022
Puppy Starter
Puppy Starters get 2 puppies when they are 7 weeks old and raise them until they are about 10 weeks old. In this short time frame, puppies start learning important things like house manners, potty training, crate training, and all kinds of socialization in a family setting! This is the perfect volunteer role if you love puppies but can’t commit to being a full-time puppy raiser. As a Puppy Starter, you get all of the puppy cuddles and get to see your puppy’s personality grow while introducing them to the first steps of their training.
This volunteer role requires a flexible schedule so that the volunteer can focus the majority of 3 weeks on the 2 puppies during this crucial period of development. The volunteer can expect to be outside for potty breaks every 30 minutes in the day and up multiple times throughout the night. The volunteer must live within 30 minutes of NSD (1286 Cedar Creek Rd), have no children under the age of 5 living in the house, and a maximum of 2 personal dogs that are over 1 year of age. Volunteers are expected to attend weekly training classes during this period.
Learn about the complete volunteer requirements here.
Anticipated Start Date: Summer 2021
Puppy Raiser
Have you always wondered how service dogs learn to help their handlers? Do you want to be part of a service dog’s story? By dedicating your time, energy, and love to a future service dog, you get one of the most rewarding experiences possible. And the best part is that you don’t need any experience to become a Puppy Raiser!
As an NSD Puppy Raiser, your job is to be dedicated to your puppy – providing them with care, training, house manners, socialization, and exposure to new people, places, and experiences. Puppy Raisers get lots of support from our team, attend regular training classes, and learn new skills while making new friends! NSD Puppy Raisers take on a dog from about 10 weeks old to 14-16 months of age. Puppy Raisers have access to Puppy Sitters when they need a day, weekend, or a week off. By deciding to become a Puppy Raiser, you are helping one more dog change one more life for the better!
This volunteer role requires patience and dedication as well as an ability to say goodbye at the end of their journey. The volunteer must live within 45 minutes of NSD (1286 Cedar Creek Rd), have no children under the age of 5 living in the house, a maximum of 2 personal dogs that are over 1 year of age, and live no higher than the 7th floor of apartment buildings. Volunteers will be required to attend weekly training classes.
Learn about the complete volunteer requirements here.
Anticipated Start Date: Summer/Fall 2021
Puppy Sitter
Puppy Sitting is great for volunteers who can’t raise a puppy full-time or if you’re not sure if you are ready to be a Puppy Raiser. Puppy Sitters help Puppy Raisers and Adult Raisers when they need some time off or just a helping hand. This can range from a day to a weekend, or even a week. Puppy Sitters keep up with the dog’s training while they are in their care. Thus, you go through Handler training so you can bring the dog out in their “puppy in training” jacket in public spaces and you are able to maintain and improve their skills. The puppies are 12 weeks to 2 years old and we provide everything you’ll need to make sure both you and the puppy have a great time. This role is ideal for people with busier schedules because it works around your availability. You only accept the sitting “shifts” that you can do. This is also a great ice-breaker role if you’re looking to get more involved with NSD in the future.
This volunteer role requires patience and consistency as you will continuously see different dogs. The volunteer must live within 90 minutes of NSD (1286 Cedar Creek Rd), have no children under the age of 1 living in the house, and a maximum of 2 personal dogs that are over 1 year of age.
Learn about the complete volunteer requirements here.
Anticipated Start Date: Summer/Fall 2021
Adult Raiser
Adult Raisers are another vital volunteer role with NSD. You take on a service-dog-in-training when they are 14-16 months old and help facilitate their training and care until they find their forever family. As an Adult Raiser, you polish the dog’s current skills and manners and test their abilities with a new handler as they enter a new environment. Adult Raisers also have a lot of support from the NSD team and attend regular training classes. During the dog’s final stage of training, they will be attending NSD University during the week but will return to their Adult Raiser on the weekends and evenings.
This volunteer role requires firm expectations and consistency as these dogs are getting close to finding their forever family. The volunteer must live within 30 minutes of NSD (1286 Cedar Creek Rd), have no children under the age of 1 living in the house, and a maximum of 2 personal dogs that are over 1 year of age. Adult Raisers are expected to attend monthly training classes while they have the dog.
Learn about the complete volunteer requirements here.
Anticipated Start Date: Fall/Winter 2021
Doggy Carpool Driver
Do you love dogs and driving? We have the perfect opportunity as a Doggy Carpool Driver. This volunteer role involves picking up NSD University dogs from their Adult Raiser’s home and bringing them to NSD University in Cambridge. Driving is done on weekdays in the morning from about 7-8 am and in the evening from about 4-5 pm.
This role requires consistent availability for one route. Doggy Carpool Drivers need to have a valid G license and access to a reliable vehicle.
Learn about the complete volunteer requirements here.
Anticipated Start Date: Spring 2021
Opportunities within the Organization
Making an impact doesn’t always happen on the other end of a leash; being behind a desk is just as crucial to producing our life-changing dogs. Volunteers’ knowledge and expertise within organizational roles are essential. Regardless of how you plan to volunteer, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
Events and Fundraising
Events and Fundraising volunteers help us engage with our community. NSD hosts and supports a number of fundraising and event initiatives within the community to spread awareness of what NSD does and raise funds to help us continue to provide Certified Service Dogs to our community. Tasks may also include interacting with the public, helping with event registration, advocating for NSD and supporting the participants and dogs who attend our events.
Some events are based out of the NSD office in Cambridge, Ontario however we host events all across the province and Canada. For example, our annual Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs (on Good Friday) is hosted in the following cities: Kitchener, Guelph, Oakville, St. Catharines, Windsor, London, Toronto, and Calgary, Alberta. Our annual Motorcycle Ride (July) is held in Waterloo.
Current Need: Application open.
If you are interested in learning more about this role Sign Up Here
Office Administration Assistance
Whether behind a desk or behind a leash, all our volunteers are making an impact. NSD has many opportunities to support the NSD Dogs in their training journey however, to be able to do what we do we rely on our office support volunteers. There are a number of opportunities such as filing, database entry, mail-outs, event preparation, and more!
Current Need: Application closed.
Maintenance of Property (Indoor and Outdoor)
Whether behind a lawn mower or behind a leash, all our volunteers are making an impact. NSD has a large property where we train, house dogs, and have office space. We look for volunteers to support us in maintaining the property from cutting the grass and picking up sticks/leaves, to cleaning the inside of the building. These volunteer opportunities are all based out of our property at 1286 Cedar Creek Rd, Cambridge.
Current Need: Application closed.
Board of Directors
National Service Dogs is currently inviting applications for Directors to join our volunteer Board of Directors. We are seeking interested individuals that have an interest in National Service Dogs, especially individuals that may have past board governance and/or project and capital development experience.Board Members for National Service Dogs serve a two- year term, appointed at the Annual General Meeting in June. Board Members typically are required for 10 to 15 hours a month, that includes attending bi-monthly NSD Board Meetings, and sitting on 2 of 3 Committees, either in person or by teleconference. Board members are encouraged to attend NSD functions when possible.
If you are interested in joining this innovative, dynamic and industry-leading team, please contact Danielle Forbes, Executive Director of National Service Dogs at 519-623-4188 extension 12 or dani@nsd.on.ca.
NSD’s Accreditations
