Organisation: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Location: 45min from Saunderton, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9NS

Hours: Full-time

Remuneration: Expenses covered

Description: Fostering a hearing dog mum offers a unique and rewarding experience. As a fosterer, you’ll provide a home to one of our beautiful and well-trained hearing dog mums. You will have the opportunity to experience the joy and fulfillment of raising a litter of puppies and playing a crucial role in their early development. Your care and support will ensure they’re ready to start their training to become life-changing hearing dogs at the age of 8 weeks.

What’s involved in fostering a hearing dog mum?

Fostering a hearing dog mum involves looking after and caring for one of our lovely brood dogs on a full-time basis, and allowing that dog to give birth to up to four litters in your home. You will need to take mum to all of her appointments, vet checks and matings, and be able to care for each litter until they reach 8 weeks of age. Puppies can’t be left alone for more than one hour, so you must be at home for most of the day.

You don’t need any previous experience to apply. You will receive full support and guidance from your allocated Puppy Supply Coordinator and our Canine Healthcare Team. Your puppy coordinator will even be with you during the birth – no matter what time or day or night!

All food, bedding, whelping and puppy equipment will be provided. Medical expenses, treatments, grooming and insurance are also covered by Hearing Dogs. All you need to provide is a safe home, a secure garden and lots of time and love.

Location
We are currently only able to offer this role to those who live within a 45 minute drive of our National Breeding Centre in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire (HP27 9NS). Volunteers must have a safe and secure garden with an area that is directly accessible from the home. You will also need a suitable space in your home for a hearing dog mum to give birth and to care for a litter. As a guide, whelping boxes can measure up to 4ft by 4 ft.

Find out more and apply: volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk

Website Link: https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/volunteering/brood-foster/

Organisation: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Location: 1hr from The Grange, Saunderton, Buckinghamshire HP27 9NS

Hours: Full-time

Remuneration: All food, bedding, toys and equipment will be provided. Medical expenses, treatments, grooming and insurance are also covered by Hearing Dogs.

Description:

We are looking for quiet, loving respite homes, to look after our dogs whilst they take a break from their training.

There are few main reasons one of our dogs may need a temporary foster home;

– they may be recovering from a medical condition.
– they may be taking a break from their training to assess a behavioural issue.
– they are a hearing dog that may need a place to stay while their partner recovers from a medical condition.

Dogs that require fostering may be of any age with varying exercise needs. Dogs with medical issues may need to be given daily medication, some may require rest and lead-walks only. Some dogs may have behavioural issues that have lead to them being taking a break from their training and therefore may need careful handling. You may also be required to do some additional training work with the dog if required.

Our brilliant Canine Healthcare Team will provide you with any guidance and support required.

Find out more and apply: Find out more by contacting the Volunteering Team on volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk or 01844 348129

Website Link: https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/volunteer/fostering-bucks/

Organisation: Support Dogs

Location: Sheffield and the wider area

Hours: Daytime / Evenings / Weekends

Remuneration: Expenses reimbursed

Description: We are looking for volunteers to provide a loving home and help us prepare our puppies over their first 14 months of life before they begin full time training as life-changing support dog.

As a puppy socialiser you will play a vital role in our puppies’ formative years, caring for a puppy in your home and providing them with the socialisation and training they need. This is a unique opportunity to not only care for a lovely dog but also to make a significant contribution in changing the lives of people affected by autism, epilepsy and disability.

Find out more and apply: To find out more why not attend one of our information sessions https://www.supportdogs.org.uk/dogs-information-sessions. Or email us at volunteering@supportdogs.org.uk

Website Link: https://www.supportdogs.org.uk/puppy-socialiser

Organisation: Support Dogs

Location: Sheffield and the wider area

Hours: Either Foster Carer Full Time or just Evenings and Weekends

Remuneration: Expenses reimbursed

Description: At Support Dogs, we do not use kennel facilities. We need our dogs to stay in a loving home environment throughout their training period. So our volunteer foster carers are absolutely vital for us to be able to provide this and continue our work.

We are keen to hear from families with younger children, who also have experience with caring for a dog. A lot of our dogs in training are working towards helping a child with autism, so we really need them to live with families with young children to get used to all that this involves. If that isn’t you, don’t worry! We are still always on the lookout for great foster carers for our amazing dogs in training.

Find out more and apply: To find out more why not attend one of our information sessions https://www.supportdogs.org.uk/dogs-information-sessions. Or email us at volunteering@supportdogs.org.uk

Website Link: https://www.supportdogs.org.uk/foster-carers

Organisation: Support Dogs

Location: Sheffield and the wider area

Hours: As suits, to attend events that fit around your schedule

Remuneration: Expenses reimbursed

We attend many events throughout the year from bucket collections in supermarkets to country shows and dog shows such as Crufts. We also organise many of our own events that you can help plan, attend, and fundraise at.

Support from volunteers to help raise funds and greater awareness of our charity is vital to us. It’s only through this that we can grow and provide life saving care to even more families.

Event times, locations and activities will vary but generally, your key tasks would include:

• Helping members of staff and other volunteers set up stalls, gazebos and other promotional equipment
• Welcome visitors to the event
• Talk to members of the public enthusiastically about Support Dogs to raise awareness about the work we do
• Encourage visitors at the event to take part in the activities, including fundraising games, raffles and dog shows
• Help to run games and fundraising activities (this may include cash handling)
• Hand out leaflets/ give information if required
• Redirect any questions you are unable to answer to an appropriate member of staff
• Oversee or hold a collection bucket to encourage donations to Support Dogs

Description:

Find out more and apply: To find out more why not attend one of our information sessions https://www.supportdogs.org.uk/dogs-information-sessions. Or email us at volunteering@supportdogs.org.uk

Website Link: https://www.supportdogs.org.uk/collection-volunteer

Organisation: Canine Partners

Location: Must live within a 30-minute drive of our training centre (LE12 9SR)

Hours: We consider this a full-time role as you will be required to care for the dog for much of the day and overnight.

Remuneration: Unpaid with pre-approved expenses reimbursed

Description:

Canine Partners are looking for volunteers who can provide loving homes for our young dogs, aged 14 months upwards, whilst helping to train them to be canine partners.

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 have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of puppy development and training.

‘With out the continued hard work and support from our volunteers, we would not be able to provide our clients with our life changing dogs.’

What is involved:
• Commitment to providing a loving home, care, and training for a dog for the duration of their time in training.
• We consider this a full-time role as you, or another approved adult member of the household, will be required to care for the dog for much of the day and overnight.
• Our trainers need access to the dogs during weekdays for training purposes. We ask that you commute to and from our training centre when required to drop off/collect the dog. Drop off and collection times are between 7.30 – 9.30am and 4-6pm. We try to be as flexible as possible with the times that are best for you.
• Availability to attend pre-arranged training sessions at your home, in your local area, and at our training centre.
• Attend an Introduction session before we coordinate a dog into your care
• With our guidance, and using positive training methods, to continue the training of the dog in various areas. For example:
– Home behaviour
– Social behaviour
– Behaviour around other animals
– Walking on a lead
– Off lead exercise
• Maintaining the dog’s health and welfare and, via support and training, to recognise behaviour/health concerns and report them immediately to the dog’s trainer.

What we require from you:
• You live within a 30-minute drive of our training centre
• (post code LE12 9SR)
• That you, as the dog’s main carer, are over 18 years of age
• You have a dog friendly secure garden
• Though desirable, prior dog ownership is not required.
• All members of the household are keen to foster.
• There is no more than one pet dog living in your home. The pet dog must be over 12 months of age and would need to undergo our pet dog suitability assessment
• Have the time and ability to commit to the training and care of a young dog. This is a physical role
• Have access to a suitable vehicle to transport the dog
• That you or other approved adult member of the household are at home most of the day, and overnight, to care for the dog
• Attend two training sessions each year
• Understand that the dog in your care remains under the ownership of Canine Partners

Support and Training:
• Induction process which includes telephone assessment and home visit
• On-going Instruction and support from our dog trainers. This will be in person, via video link, phone calls, handouts etc.
• 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

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/

Organisation: Medical Detection Dogs

Location: Within a one hour drive of our Centre in Great Horwood, Buckinghamshire

Hours: Daytime/evening/weekend

Remuneration: Expenses covered

Description:

Could you be a Medical Detection Dogs Puppy Socialiser and welcome a future lifesaver into your home and family while it completes its training?

Our wonderful volunteer Puppy Socialisers care for our puppies, bring them to regular classes and ensure they learn key skills and behaviours such as how to be confident and well behaved on public transport, in supermarkets, and anywhere else they may need to go when working, all with the support and guidance of one of our Trainers.

Some prefer to look after younger puppies, others when they’re a little more mature, and some will look after a puppy throughout its training.

Application details: Find out more and apply via the website link below.

Website Link: Volunteer roles caring for our dogs – Medical Detection Dogs

Organisation: Dogs for Autism

Location: Within one hour of Alton, Hampshire

Hours: This could be an option if you are out at work, as the dog would come to ‘school’ during the day and be with you for evenings and weekends!

Remuneration: Costs covered

Description:

Application details:

Would you like to look after and help raise and prepare a trainee autism assistance dog?

We are looking for volunteer puppy parents or fosterers in the Alton (Hampshire) area who:

• Can commit to looking after a puppy for 1 – 2 years
• Have a secure garden
• Will work under the supervision of a Dogs for Autism Trainer and have a visit from them every week
• Will join our puppy class on Friday afternoons
• Can spend time each day training and socialising a dog under the guidance of your Trainer
• Will be home for most of the day
• Would love to be part of the exciting journey our trainee assistance dogs take!

Or

• Could provide ‘bed and breakfast’ for a young adult dog for a period of 6 months to a year whilst we prepare them for their next stage of training.

This could be an option if you are out at work, as the dog would come to ‘school’ during the day and be with you for evenings and weekends!

Website Link: Puppy Parents and Fosterers (dogsforautism.org.uk)

Organisation: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Location: Various locations across England and Scotland

Hours: Please note we are only able to accept applications from people who do not work full time, due to the amount of time needed to train a young dog to become a hearing dog.

Remuneration: All food, bedding, toys and equipment will be provided. Medical expenses, treatments, grooming and insurance are also covered by Hearing Dogs.

Description:

We are looking for dog lovers in certain areas of the UK who can help us train the next generation of hearing dogs.

As a volunteer trainer, you’ll be able to look after one of our adorable young dogs for anywhere between 6-18 months at a time, learn more about dog training and attend fun puppy classes, meet like-minded people and make new friends, and directly make a difference to the lives of the deaf people waiting for a hearing dog.

You don’t need previous experience of training or owning dogs as each of our volunteers are fully trained and supported by one of our local dog training instructors, and all costs are covered by the charity (for things like food, bedding, insurance, vet costs etc.).

What’s more, we provide holiday cover for the pup when you want to go away. You’ll also be able to receive advice and support from other volunteers in your local area.

Please note we are only able to accept applications from people who do not work full time, due to the amount of time needed to train a young dog to become a hearing dog.

Application details: Find out more about the criteria for becoming a volunteer trainer, and which areas of the UK we are looking for new volunteers for using the website link below. https://ow.ly/4Jx650SE3lp

Website Link: Volunteer Dog Training (hearingdogs.org.uk)