Welcome!

Thanks for your interest in volunteering with Texas Hearing & Service Dogs. This page can introduce you to volunteering at THSD. If you decide to pursue volunteering, fill out the Volunteer Application and our volunteer coordinator will contact you.

What does THSD expect of volunteers?

Committed volunteers improve our training program and we are grateful! We try to keep an upbeat atmosphere and expect people to have fun as long as we are being productive in the process. However, if you do not follow our guidelines with the dogs you can actually hinder the training process.

Our dogs are not pets! You may not interact with them freely as you do your own pets or other animals. You must be conscious during each of your interactions with our dogs to learn the new habits we will teach you.

If you sign up for an activity we are counting on you to be there. If you must cancel please do so as soon as possible, preferably 2 days before the activity to allow us time to find someone else. If you "no show" more than 2 times without notice, we will not schedule you again.

What will I do?

Volunteers have several roles at THSD.

Click a topic below for details:

Volunteer for events throughout Texas

We need volunteers for events such as the Mighty Texas Dog Walk, the Haunted House at Halloween, and booths at different shows that give us public exposure for THSD. These events can involve set up and tear down, interaction with the public, event preparations such as making signs, stuffing gift bags, helping with registration, administrative duties, etc. Some of our events are in cities around Texas, so we always need and appreciate out-of-town volunteers. Event volunteers are scheduled by event, so the schedule and work hours vary.

 

Volunteer at the Training Center in Dripping Springs

Our training facility is located at 4925 Bell Springs Road in Dripping Springs, Texas. Please check a map to see what the drive is like for you. We are located about 25 minutes south of Oak Hill.

Volunteers help with a wide variety of tasks. You’ll start with things like cutting up treats (we use thousands every week), sweeping, cleanup of our training facility or administrative duties. Such tasks are very important in saving time for the trainers. As you gain experience, you may have a chance to work with our kennel techs, groom or walk dogs, or assist a trainer with a specific task or situation.

Most volunteer activities take place in the Training Building. There you will also see dogs in training and some of our day-to-day activities. Some activities may take place around our five acre site, especially if you are assisting with maintenance, repair, or landscaping work – a special need in summer.

At the Training Center in Dripping Springs, we have standing volunteer opportunities at specified hours Monday through Friday.

Morning: 9:30 - Noon
Afternoon: 1 - 3:30 PM

Will I be working with dogs?

The training for assistance dogs is highly specialized and only very experienced volunteers work directly with the dogs. However, you will be around our dogs almost every time you volunteer. As your experience and skills grow, your opportunities to work with the dogs change.

 

Provide a Career Change Dog a Home

Fostering one of our Career Change Dogs can be a long term commitment. Career Change Dogs are dogs that entered our program, but for different reasons could not continue through the training. These dogs are all in need of a good home. Fostering allows that dog to have a nice home to live in while we actively place ads, posters as well as use other means of media to advertise for a permanent loving home.

 

How are dogs trained at THSD?

We use positive reinforcement training with our dogs. This means we reinforce behaviors that we want (like sitting, laying down, being calm and quiet) and we ignore behaviors we don't want. Soon the dog is doing more of the behaviors we want and less of the behaviors we don't want. We use many types of reinforcement (something the dog likes) and it can vary by dog. Examples are treats, touch, petting, toys, coming out of their kennel, or access to yards. Most dogs find some or all of these things reinforcing.

We do not use punishment like leash corrections, scolding or yelling with our dogs. If a dog does something we do not want we redirect him to do a behavior we do want.

Are there any age requirements for volunteers?

Adult volunteers of all ages are welcome. Younger volunteers must be 16 or older to work on their own and children 7-15 may volunteer with a parent present at all times. All volunteers must comply with the volunteer guidelines and all safety procedures.

What should I wear?

Something comfortable and easy to clean! Wear shoes with good traction to prevent slipping. Please note, we do not allow flip flops, sandals or open toed shoes for safety reasons.

Do I need any special equipment?

If you need anything special, THSD will provide it.

How do I keep track my volunteer hours?

We have a notebook for you to sign in and out so your hours can be logged. This helps THSD track your time and is important information as we apply for grants which often ask for volunteer hours. THSD has volunteer recognitions at different levels based on hours served.

What if I have a complaint or concern?

Please address your concern directly with the Volunteer Coordinator or staff. If you need further help you can contact any of our executive team listed on the “Contact Us” page of our website at www.servicedogs.org

How do I sign up?

On your volunteer application, tell us what type of activity and schedule you are interested in and the volunteer coordinator will contact you. Once you are on our volunteer list, you’ll also receive notices of when we need help and can reply if you are able to lend a hand.

Also, you will be asked to sign a few forms as part of volunteering:

1. A copy of the Volunteer Job Description
   
2. A Waiver, release and Consent for Medical treatment.
   
3. A Liability Release and Consent for Photography
   

These agreements are required to work as a volunteer at THSD.