Needs From: Belmont Office of Community-Engaged Learning and Service

**You must live off campus to engage in this opportunity. Additionally, only fully trained service animals are allowed in classrooms, and you should connect with Belmont's Office of Accessibility Services to ensure access.

As a Puppy Raiser, you will play a crucial role in the ongoing development of our puppies, from 8 weeks old until they are ready for advanced training around 2 years old. Unlike the Starter role, which focuses solely on the initial care and basic socialization of young puppies, Raisers are responsible for maintaining and reinforcing the skills these dogs are learning during a longer period of the dogs’ focused training. This role is essential in ensuring our puppies are well-prepared for their future as service dogs.

Responsibilities: Comprehensive Care: Ensure the puppy’s overall well-being by providing daily care, including feeding, toilet training, crate training, socialization and exercise. Your care is vital to the puppy’s physical and emotional health.Skill Maintenance: Focus on maintaining and reinforcing the skills the puppy is being taught during their secondary training phase. This includes practicing cues, behaviors, and socialization techniques to ensure the puppy remains on track with their training goals. Volunteers in this role are required to attend training once a month with their dog for every month they are actively working with our dogs.Advanced Socialization: Continue to expose the puppy to a variety of real-world environments, including work, public places, and social activities. This ongoing exposure helps the puppy develop the confidence and resilience needed for their future role as a service dog.Record Keeping: Fill out a monthly report to help us track the dogs’ behaviors and progress throughout their journey.Furlough: Once the dog is at least 6 months old, they will enter their secondary training home, one of our prison programs. Raisers at this stage will work with their dogs on a furlough by picking up their dog from their pickup location each month for a week at a time. Commitment Levels: 1 Week: Ideal for volunteers looking to dip their toes into puppy raising. 1 Month: Perfect for those wanting a more extended experience to bond with a puppy. 1 year: For the volunteer ready for a full commitment right away! Integrated Care Approach: Whether you are caring for a puppy full-time or during their furlough, your role is to provide consistent care and reinforcement of their training. This integrated approach ensures that the puppy’s learning and development are continuous. The commitment is full-time while the puppy is under 6 months, then shifts to just one week each month. Time Committed: Anywhere from 3 – 12 months. Requirements: 1 training meeting a month while actively raising, 1 general/furlough report a month.Co-Raising Option:

We offer a co-raising option where you can partner with a friend or be matched with another volunteer. This allows you to share responsibilities and enjoy the experience together, making it easier to balance with your other commitments.

Support and Resources:

Throughout your time as a Raiser, you’ll have access to our community of experienced volunteers, trainers, and staff for any support or guidance you may need. Whether you have questions about puppy care or need tips on socialization, we’re here to help you every step of the way. RI will provide food, necessary supplies, and the cost of vet appointments.

If you would like to become a Puppy Raiser, please fill out the Puppy Volunteer Application.

**You must live off campus to engage in this opportunity. Additionally, only fully trained service animals are allowed in classrooms, and you should connect with Belmont's Office of Accessibility Services to ensure access.

As a Puppy Starter, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work with our youngest puppies, aged 8 weeks to 12 weeks, for short-term periods ranging from 1 week to 1 month. This role is perfect for those looking to experience the joy of puppy raising without the long-term commitment. Starters play a crucial part in the early development of our service dogs by providing foundational care and socialization. Currently we are receiving pre-socialized puppies, so their training should be straightforward as they will already be familiar with house manners.

Responsibilities: Basic Care & Training: Ensure the puppy’s well-being by providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. This includes feeding, toilet training, crate training, and exercise. Household Manners: While the puppies are not yet ready for public access work (no vest required), it’s important to expose them to a variety of household sounds, sights, and experiences within the home and around your neighborhood. This early socialization and focus on good manners helps build the confidence and resilience needed for their future roles as service dogs. Learning and Training Sessions: Review our puppy care manual and complete a short quiz to familiarize yourself with our guidelines. This ensures you’re prepared to provide the best care possible. We will also need you to attend a weekly puppy class with your puppy for each week you are working with them. Commitment Levels: 1 Week: Ideal for volunteers looking to dip their toes into puppy raising. 1 Month: Perfect for those wanting a more extended experience to bond with a puppy. Time Committed: 1 week – 4 weeks. Requirements: 1 training meeting per week with dog. Support and Resources:

Throughout your time as a Starter, you’ll have access to our community of experienced volunteers, trainers, and staff for any support or guidance you may need. Whether you have questions about puppy care or need tips on socialization, we’re here to help you every step of the way. RI will provide food, necessary supplies, and the cost of vet appointments.

If you would like to become a Puppy Starter, please fill out the Puppy Volunteer Application.

**You must live off campus to engage in this opportunity. Additionally, only fully trained service animals are allowed in classrooms, and you should connect with Belmont's Office of Accessibility Services to ensure access.

Puppy Sitters provide essential support by offering temporary care for our service dogs in training when their primary Raisers or other volunteers are unavailable. This role is perfect for those who want to be involved with our dogs on a flexible, as-needed basis. As a Sitter, you’ll help ensure that our dogs continue to receive the care, socialization, and training they need, even during short-term gaps in their regular routine.

Responsibilities: Temporary Care: Provide short-term care for a service dog, ensuring their daily needs are met, including feeding, exercise, and companionship. Your care helps maintain the dog’s well-being during transitions or when their regular caregiver is unavailable. Consistency in Routine: Follow the established routine and guidelines provided by the dog’s Raiser or trainer. This consistency is crucial for maintaining the dog’s training and comfort during their time with you. Basic Training Reinforcement: Continue to practice basic commands and behaviors with the dog to reinforce their training. While Sitters are not responsible for teaching new skills, maintaining existing ones is essential. Volunteers in this role are required to attend a training session once during a 3 month period while they are actively working with our dogs. Socialization: If appropriate, continue to expose the dog to various environments and experiences, helping to maintain their confidence and adaptability. This could include walks in different settings, visits to public places, or other activities that align with their training. Commitment Structure: Flexible Involvement: Sitters are called upon as needed, providing care for varying durations depending on the situation. This could range from a few days to a couple of weeks, offering flexibility for those who cannot commit to long-term involvement. As Needed Availability: Sitters are often contacted on an as needed basis, so flexibility and readiness to step in when needed are key aspects of this role. Time Committed: A few days to a few weeks. Requirements: 1 training meeting a month while actively sitting. Support and Resources: Guidance from Raisers and Trainers: Before taking on the care of a dog, you’ll receive detailed instructions and support from the dog’s primary Raiser or trainer. This ensures you’re fully prepared to provide the necessary care and maintain the dog’s routine. Ongoing Support: Our team is always available to assist with any questions or issues that arise while you’re caring for a dog. Whether you need help with routine adjustments or advice on handling specific situations, we’re here to support you. How Sitters Fit into the Volunteer Program

Unlike Starters and Raisers who are involved in the long-term care and training of our service dogs, Sitters provide critical short-term support. This role is designed for those who prefer or require a flexible commitment but still want to contribute meaningfully to the success of our program. Sitters ensure that our dogs receive continuous care and training reinforcement, even when their regular caregivers are unavailable.

If you would like to become a Puppy Raiser, please fill out the Puppy Volunteer Application.

Flex Volunteers are versatile and adaptable members of our team, stepping in to meet various needs across the organization. This role is perfect for individuals who want to contribute in different capacities and enjoy the flexibility of engaging in a range of activities. Flex Volunteers might assist with events, transportation, administrative tasks, or other special projects, making them a vital part of our volunteer program. This role does not actively engage with our dogs and instead focuses on supporting our overall mission and goals.

Responsibilities: Event Support: Help with organizing and running events, including setting up, managing logistics, assisting with guest coordination, and ensuring the smooth operation of activities. Your involvement ensures that our events are successful and enjoyable for all participants. Transportation: Provide transportation for our dogs, whether it’s taking them to and from training sessions, veterinary appointments, or other scheduled activities. Reliable transport is essential for maintaining our dogs’ schedules and ensuring they receive the care and training they need. Administrative Assistance: Assist with various administrative tasks such as data entry, managing volunteer records, preparing materials, or supporting communication efforts. This behind-the-scenes work is crucial for keeping our organization running smoothly. Special Projects: Participate in unique or one-time projects that arise, offering your skills and time wherever it’s most needed. This could include helping with fundraising initiatives, community outreach, or special events. General Support: Be ready to step in and help with any other tasks as they arise, offering your flexibility and willingness to contribute wherever needed. Commitment Structure: Flexible Involvement: Flex Volunteers enjoy a high degree of flexibility, allowing them to choose the types of activities they engage in based on their interests and availability. This role is ideal for those who want to contribute but need flexibility in scheduling. Ad Hoc Participation: You’ll be called upon based on the organization’s needs, allowing you to choose when and how you’d like to get involved. This ad hoc participation makes it easy to fit volunteering into your lifestyle. Time Committed: A few days to a few weeks. Requirements: None! Support and Resources: Comprehensive Orientation: Before starting, you’ll receive an orientation that covers the range of tasks you may be involved in, ensuring you’re well-prepared for any role you take on. Team Support: You’ll work closely with our staff and other volunteers, receiving guidance and support for the various tasks you undertake. Whether you’re helping at an event or providing transport, our team is here to assist you. Resource Access: Access to necessary tools, materials, and information will be provided to ensure you can fulfill your duties effectively. This includes access to our volunteer portal, where you can sign up for opportunities that match your interests. How Flex Volunteers Fit into the Volunteer Program

While roles like Starters and Raisers focus on specific aspects of dog care and training, Flex Volunteers offer versatile support across the organization. This role is designed for those who want to be involved in a variety of activities and appreciate the flexibility to choose how and when they contribute. Flex Volunteers are essential for filling gaps and ensuring the smooth operation of our events, transport, and special projects.

If you would like to become a Flex Volunteer, please fill out the General Volunteer Application.