Organisation: Canine Partners

Location: Nationwide

Hours: Long-term

Remuneration: Volunteer (unpaid) position with some expenses reimbursed

Description:

Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs. Our amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering support, security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks.

By volunteering at Canine Partners, you contribute to something incredibly special – ‘transforming the lives of people with disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs’.

About the opportunity:
Canine Partners is looking for caring homes in:
• Bedford MK40
• Derby DE
• East Berkshire RG2 9NB
• Hull HU16
• Leicestershire & Notts LE4
• Newark NG24
• South Hampshire PO20 0LG/PO20 2HG
• Staffordshire & West Midlands WS11
• West Berkshire RG20 6
• West Sussex & Surrey GU6

to raise, socialise and train puppies and young dogs up to the age of 18 months old. Ideally with-in 45 minutes of the post code.

By volunteering you will be a valued member of our Charity and know that you are integrally involved in the care and training of a dog that will change the life of a person waiting for their Canine Partner. You will benefit from the companionship and enjoyment of having a dog in your life without lifelong commitment or costs associated with dog ownership, meet like-minded people and develop your knowledge of puppy development and training.

‘Without the continued hard work and support from our puppy volunteers, we would not be able to provide our clients with our life changing dogs.’

What is involved?
We consider this a long-term volunteer role as the puppy / dog will live with you. This may be from 8 weeks old until they progress to join our elite breeding programme or are ready to progress into assistance dog training at approximately 14 to 18 months of age. There may be occasions when an older puppy requires a home to continue with training until ready for assistance dog training.

You will need to be available for and attend training sessions, during the working week. This can involve:
• Home visits
• Veterinary or physiotherapy visits
• Virtual online training
• One-to-ones in the community
• Group sessions in the community
• Regular group puppy training classes

You will need to attend regular visits within your local community to various environments to carefully expose the puppy to the following conditions, under the direction of your Puppy Training Coordinator, to socialise them: residential areas, busy town environments, car travel, public transport, children, cats, other dogs (different breeds), and other domestic animals.

With the guidance, support, and advice from our expert trainers, you will be taught the fundamentals of puppy socialisation as well as simple cues and exercises. For example:
• Identifying the dogs’ needs
• Home behaviour
• Social behaviour
• Walking on a lead
• Off lead exercise
• General obedience
You will need to maintain the dog’s health and welfare by following guidance from the Puppy Training Coordinator and report any concerns immediately.

What we require from you:

The primary puppy volunteer must be 18 years of age or over.

You will need to reside in a house/bungalow/ground floor flat with a dog friendly secure garden (non-shared) NB We are unable to accept a townhouse for puppies under the age of 6 months due to health and safety risks to the volunteer and puppy.

If you are a dog owner, with up to two pet dogs of suitable temperament, as assessed during the home check, you are welcome to apply. They must be over 18 months of age and have lived within the home for at least six months.

You will need to be at home for most of the day, able to engage with your Puppy Training Coordinator, and live within the boundaries of the Puppy Training Region.

You need to have the Time to provide the puppy with the socialisation and education it needs to prepare it for assistance dog training.

You will need the stamina to manage a young active puppy / dog.

You will need Access to a car, so that you can train the puppy to be comfortable whilst travelling, to travel to veterinary appointments, classes, and training locations on a regular basis.

Be mindful that the dog in your care remains under the ownership of Canine Partners, and as such advice from Canine Partners’ representatives should be followed.

Support and Training:

• Induction process which includes submitting of an information form, telephone interview, home visit, training, and handling sessions
• Each volunteer is allocated a Canine Partners Puppy Training Coordinator as their first point of contact.
• Receive regular training, resources, and other essential information via your Puppy Training Coordinator, this may be in the format of verbal instructions, physical copies, digital instructions, video, and webinar resources or in person.
• No previous dog ownership experience is needed but you must meet the criteria listed above to be considered.
• Holiday cover and appointments cover can be arranged.
• Payment of expenditure such as mileage to and from a training session with a Canine Partner representative
• Access to our volunteer portal with many resources for your use.
• Invitation to join our Official Canine Partners Community Facebook Group

Find out more and apply: https://caninepartners.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/

Website Link: https://caninepartners.org.uk/