Get involved · Volunteer

Time and expertise turn into real capacity for the Foundation's work.

Some volunteer service fulfills a grant recipient’s Pay-It-Forward Service Commitment. Other roles are simply open to anyone who wants to help. Every opportunity is documented and approved before it counts, whether it supports training, rehabilitation, research, fundraising, education, or outreach.

Express interest See open opportunities

Quick answer

How volunteering with the Foundation works

Volunteering with the Foundation means giving approved, documented time to training support, rehabilitation support, research, fundraising, education, or outreach, whichever fits what you have to offer. Some of this service fulfills a grant recipient’s Pay-It-Forward Service Commitment; the rest is open to anyone who wants to help. Express interest below, or browse current opportunities directly.

Pathways

Six ways to help

Pick the category that fits your time, skills, or schedule. The opportunities directory lists current openings in each one.

Training support

Approved pet-parent education and mentoring for students or emerging professionals.

See opportunities

Rehabilitation support

Shelter, rescue, foster, and placement support, and behavior-support work under an appropriate plan.

See opportunities

Research

Research assistance or knowledge translation, completed under approved supervision.

See opportunities

Fundraising

Approved event support, fundraising, and donor stewardship for active Foundation campaigns.

See opportunities

Education

Curriculum and educational resource development that helps the next dog or family.

See opportunities

Outreach

Community outreach and public education, in person or remote.

See opportunities

What it feels like

You belong the moment you show up

Most roles start hands-on: brushing a coat, walking a course, prepping a training space, staffing a table at an event. No experience is required for the general volunteer roles, and every activity has a host on site who shows you what to do. You are working alongside Foundation staff and other volunteers from the first minute, not sitting on a waitlist.

See open opportunities

What to expect

How volunteering works

1. Pick a category

   Choose the pathway above that best fits your time, skills, or schedule.

2. Express interest

   Submit the interest form with the category you are interested in, along with any scheduling or accessibility needs.

3. Get matched and approved

   The Foundation team matches you to a current need and confirms the activity, host, and any supervision before you start.

4. Complete and document your service

   Approved hours are recorded and, when a Pay-It-Forward Service Commitment applies, added to that recipient’s ledger.

What counts as service

Which service counts

The same standard applies whether you are completing a Pay-It-Forward Service Commitment or volunteering independently.

Is this activity likely to count as approved service?

Likely a fit

• Training access or pet-parent education for approved beneficiaries.
• Rehabilitation and behavior-support work under an appropriate plan.
• Shelter, rescue, foster, or placement support.
• Mentoring students or emerging professionals.
• Public education and community outreach.
• Research assistance or knowledge translation under approved supervision.
• Curriculum and educational resource development.
• Approved event and program service.
• Fundraising and donor stewardship for approved charitable campaigns.
• Pro bono professional services.
• Remote service approved for access, health, geography, caregiving, or scheduling needs.

Needs a closer look

• Normal paid job duties.
• Work that primarily benefits a for-profit company, including Partners Dog School.
• Activity that replaces an employee or contractor.
• Unapproved political campaign activity or lobbying.
• Unsafe or unverified activity.
• Work performed before approval, when retroactive approval is not allowed.
• Activity without a qualified beneficiary, host, deliverable, or verifier.

This checklist gives a quick read, likely fit, not eligible, or staff review needed. It offers guidance, not a decision. No single factor guarantees an award. Final eligibility and award decisions are made by the Foundation’s program staff after a full review.

Frequently asked

Volunteer FAQ

How much time do I need to commit to volunteer?

It depends on the role. Some opportunities are a single afternoon, like event or outreach support. Others are an ongoing weekly or monthly commitment, like training support or rehabilitation help. Each listing in the opportunities directory notes what to expect before you apply.

Is there a minimum age to volunteer?

The Foundation has not published one fixed minimum age. Most individual roles suit volunteers who can work independently and follow a host's instructions on site. Families and younger volunteers are welcome in many group and event roles with a parent or guardian present. Mention your age or family situation when you express interest so the team can match you to the right role.

Do I need experience or training to volunteer?

No experience is required for general volunteer roles. A host is on site for every activity and shows you what to do before you start. Roles that involve direct dog handling, rehabilitation support, or research assistance are matched to volunteers with the right background, or completed under approved supervision.

Can my company or group volunteer together?

Yes. Team days, corporate service events, and professional pro-bono work are all available. Group volunteering is not on a fixed public calendar; each event is scoped individually to a current Foundation need. Reach out through the group and corporate volunteering page with your group size and preferred dates, and the team will help plan something that fits.

How do I apply to volunteer?

Take the short guided wizard or send the interest form on the Express Interest page, or browse the opportunities directory and apply directly to a listed role. The Foundation team reviews every submission and follows up, though expressing interest does not guarantee a placement since it depends on current need. If nothing is open in your category right away, your interest stays on file for the next opening.

Will I be working directly with dogs?

It depends on the role. Rehabilitation and training support roles usually involve direct, hands-on work with dogs under supervision. Research assistance, fundraising, education, and outreach roles may involve little or no direct dog contact. Each listing in the opportunities directory describes what the role actually involves.

Already know you want in?

Skip the guided wizard below and send your interest directly. The Foundation team will follow up soon with next steps.

We use this only to route your volunteer interest to the Foundation team. No spam, no sharing.

Continue exploring

Grant service

Pay-It-Forward Service Commitment

Get involved

Every way to help

Donate

Give a gift

Support

Contact the Foundation