VOLUNTEER WITH FSD
Looking for a fun and fulfilling way to make a difference? We need YOU to join our Freedom Service Dogs volunteer team! The generous support of FSD volunteers who share their time and talents is what makes our mission possible.
We offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, so there’s sure to be one that suits your interests, skills, and schedule. Whether you prefer to hang out with puppies or adult dogs, support special events that raise money for our organization, or do vital behind-the-scenes work at our office, we have a great gig for you!
At this time, our most urgent volunteer needs are for puppy raisers, fosters, and onsite kennel volunteers to assist at our training facility in Englewood, CO. Check out our volunteer opportunities and fill out an application to start the process. Thank you, volunteers!
BECOME A PUPPY RAISER Raise the next generation of Freedom Service Dogs
We always need volunteers to help raise the next generation of Freedom Service Dogs! More and more puppies born at FSD enter our training program each year—and every one of these small service dog candidates needs a volunteer puppy raiser to help them reach their full potential. If you can help raise a puppy in your home for 2 to 14 months, we want you!
NOTE: we are currently seeking puppy raisers throughout Colorado and across the country. While we currently have a few established satellite locations, we do require potential puppy raisers to travel at their own expense to and from our facility in Englewood, Colorado to participate in puppy placement class, as well as to drop puppy off at the end of the commitment. Contact us for more information about out-of-state opportunities.
Our puppies range from 2 to 4 months old, with some already housetrained and crate trained, and others needing instruction in those areas. As a puppy raiser, you’ll supply love, basic obedience training, and socialization. FSD will provide special training, both online and in-person, using social distancing and other protocols designed with your safety and well-being in mind. You will also receive continuous guidance and ongoing support from FSD staff and fellow puppy raisers, as well as supplies.
NEW! We are now offering the option to co-raise a puppy so you can share your puppy raising responsibilities with an approved and trained friend, family member, or neighbor who wants to help out.
Are you considering becoming a volunteer puppy raiser, but thinking you might not be in the right situation to commit?
Too busy? Too expensive? No yard? No dog training experience? Kids or other pets in your home? No worries!
We’ve collected the most common reasons why people think they can’t volunteer to raise an FSD puppy—and why we say, “Yes, you can!”
PUPPY RAISING FAQS
If you are between the ages of 16–18, you are eligible to be the primary handler, but you must have a parent/guardian sign off on your participation in the puppy raising program. Your parent/guardian must also agree to be a secondary point of contact.
Become a puppy sitter Look after a puppy in your home for a short period of time
If you're not ready to commit to 2-14 months of puppy raising but are interested in hosting an FSD puppy in your home for short stints, puppy sitting may be for you! We always need volunteers who can look after our young service dog hopefuls when their raisers go out of town or have other prescheduled obligations.
- Puppy sitters go through FSD orientation and onboarding in exactly the same way as our puppy raisers to ensure consistency in training protocols and behavior expectations.
- Puppy sitters are responsible for maintaining all training and behavior expectations while the puppy is in their home, even if just for a short period of time.
- Puppy sitters are welcome to do weekend fostering for our adult dogs in training as well, but not at the same time.
BECOME A FOSTER Give our dogs in training experience in a home environment
Foster volunteers welcome an adult FSD dog temporarily into their home for a set period of time, whether it be for a weekend or an extended duration. By providing a safe and comfortable home environment, volunteer fosters are key to maintaining the work-life balance of our dogs in training. Fosters also provide FSD staff with valuable feedback to the in-home behaviors of dogs, which is vital to their success as future service dogs.
REGULAR WEEKEND FOSTER - Foster the same adult dog most weekends.
BACK-UP WEEKEND FOSTER - Take an adult dog for a weekend when the dog's regular foster is not available. Perfect for those who can't commit to regular weekend fostering.
LONG TERM FOSTER - Welcome an adult dog into your home for an extended period of time. The duration of these opportunities varies but tends to be 1-2+ weeks long. We have an increased need for long-term fosters during holidays.
MEDICAL RECOVERY FOSTER - Provide a safe, comfortable home for an adult dog who is recovering from a medical procedure or illness, such as a spay or neuter, kennel cough, or injury. The duration of these opportunities varies.
NIGHTLY FOSTER - Pick up an adult dog each night, and drop them off back at FSD the following morning, typically Monday through Friday.
FOSTER FAQS
- Complete the online application HERE.
- Submit background check. A completed background check is required for all volunteers 18 years of age and older.
- FSD Volunteer Team reviews applications and background checks. You will be contacted within 7-14 business days regarding the status of your application.
- Attend Volunteer Orientation onsite at FSD facility. We offer one to two date options per month.
- Attend New Volunteer Walking and Kennel Class onsite at FSD facility. We offer two date options per month, one weekday and one weekend.
- Submit home inspection form. (Form link will be sent after you attend Volunteer Orientation.)
- If approved, FSD Volunteer Team will you contact you directly to discuss your availability and fostering options.
VOLUNTEER ONSITE Lend a helping hand at the FSD facility in Englewood, CO
We offer a variety of onsite volunteer opportunities! Whether you’re interested in working with young puppies, adult dogs, or even love a good road trip, we’re confident that we have a fulfilling opportunity for you. Our opportunities to volunteer onsite may vary depending on our current needs and the time of year. They include positions such as kennel volunteer, nursery volunteer, transportation volunteer, and more! If you love sharing your passion for FSD’s mission, we are always in need of outgoing community engagement volunteers to represent FSD at fun events around the Denver metro area.
Our scheduling is flexible, and we offer shifts 7 days a week, morning and night. Come for as little as one hour, or stay for several! Once onboarded as an FSD volunteer, you can access the Volunteer Portal to self-schedule shifts that fit your interests and lifestyle.
Volunteer Groups
Volunteering can be even more fun with a group! Take a tour of our facility, learn more about our mission, and participate in a meaningful project. We are very fortunate that volunteer group requests are in high demand, and therefore we are able to accommodate them on a limited, case-by-case basis.
For more information about volunteers groups, please contact Hannah Perruccio at [email protected] or 303-922-6231 x201. Interested in learning about event sponsorship or corporate partnership opportunities? Please contact Nadine Pace at [email protected] or 303-922-6231 x216.
FAQs
- Complete the online application HERE.
- Submit background check. A completed background check is required for all volunteers 18 years of age and older.
- FSD Volunteer Team reviews applications and background checks. You will be contacted within 7-14 business days regarding the status of your application.
- Attend Volunteer Orientation onsite at FSD facility. We offer one to two date options per month.
- Attend New Volunteer Walking and Kennel Class onsite at FSD facility. We offer two date options per month, one weekday and one weekend.
- If approved, FSD Volunteer Team will you contact you directly to discuss your availability and next steps.
For questions about volunteering with FSD, please contact Hannah Perruccio at 303-922-6231 x201 or [email protected]