Volunteer

As a full-time puppy raiser, you will raise a puppy through their first year of life with

guidance from New Life K9 trainers. You’ll help them master foundational training,

house manners, and public behavior as they prepare for life as a service dog.

 

Expectations and Requirements:

• Be 18 years old, or at least 13 years old with an adult co-raiser in the same household

• Ability to have a dog in your home full time for a minimum of 6 months

• No personal dogs under 2 years of age living in the same home

• Attend weekly puppy raiser meetings

• Drop off for training in office as needed

• Participate in outings and training sessions with trainers (min. 2/month)

• Complete weekly puppy raiser updates via portal

• Follow the training curriculum and guidelines

• Practice consistent training and socialization at home and in public

• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs

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*Optional: co-raise with another volunteer*

Short-term puppy raisers provide temporary care for dogs when their primary raisers are

unavailable or when dogs being raised in our prison program leave the prison

environment for short term furloughs. This is a great option for those unable to commit

full-time but still want to support our mission.

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Common situations include:

- Coverage during vacations, illness, or transitions

- Medical recovery requiring rest

- In-home behavior evaluation periods

 

Expectations and Requirements:

• Attend monthly puppy raiser meetings

• Pick up/drop off dogs as needed

• Follow all training guidelines

• If caring for a dog, complete all tasks expected of a full time puppy raiser (outings, updates, meetings)

• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs

Want to support service dogs—without being hands-on?

Join our Pawsitive Support Crew and be part of the heart behind the mission!

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This volunteer role helps with organizing supplies, prepping enrichment activities, light

cleaning, and other behind-the-scenes tasks that keep our program running smoothly.

While this is not a dog-handling role, there may be occasional opportunities to observe

playgroups, assist on supervised outings, or participate in training exercises as a neutral

presence.

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This role is great for:

• Those who enjoy structure and organization

• Volunteers not able to handle dogs but still want to contribute

• People who want to be part of the team—no leash required!

New Life K9s is a program under the nonprofit Son Care Foundation. Son Care Foundation operates multiple programs that support the overall mission of Son Care Foundation and New Life K9s. By volunteering at the programs listed below, you are helping support our mission! 

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• Thousand Hills Pet Resort

  • Play Yard Supervisor​

  • Cleaning Volunteer

  • Maintenance Volunteer (great for short-term commitments or volunteer groups)​

• Mission Cars

  • Volunteer Driver​

• Gentle Touch Pet Training

  • Event Volunteer​

• Son Care Foundation

  • Office Assistant​

  • Marketing Volunteer

  • Fundraising Volunteer

  • Event Volunteer